By Amaka Madu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor has charged Nigerians to keep their hope alive despite the excruciating hardships they are going through. Delivering his Easter Message titled : “Never Loose Hope ” in Awka, the frontline cleric said that the suffering, crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ brought hope to humanity. “Our blessed father, Pope Francis, declared this year as , Jubilee Year of Hope. Without hope life becomes very difficult. I admonish every Christian and indeed every Nigerian not to loose hope in this difficult times, Bishop Ezeokafor said.
Taking his scriptural reference from the book of II Corinthians 15:14, Bishop Ezeokafor reiterated that Easter is the greatest feast of the Church because it constantly reminds Christians of the need to hope in Christ’s finished work on the cross of Calvary that guaranteed their eternal salvation. He called on christians to share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ by living according to His will so as to enjoy heaven at the end. The man of God reminded leaders at all levels to be servant-leaders like Jesus Christ who took out time to wash the feet of his disciples.
Bishop Ezeokafor regretted that so many families are fractured due to non-commitment of parents to the family, a situation that has filled the society with youths who have penchant for all manner of criminal activities and other social vices. “Parents do not devoting enough time to their children anymore unlike what obtained several years back. Unless something drastic and urgent is done, the situation will continue to worsen. Children are no longer taught family and church values. Virtues or Vices are acquired at the early stages of child development in the home. We need to pay rapt attention to our children’s lifestyle and ensure they get it right. These days children don’t believe in hard work anymore but quick and I’ll gotten wealth without sweat. That was what gave rise to yahoo, kidnapping, interest in ponzi schemes, okeite, ibobo and other money making ritual methods. When parents don’t question the source of their children’s sudden wealth it becomes a serious issue, he said. Mobile Phones and other digital devices too are not helping matters because they have robbed so many families of real family relationships.Everyone is busy with their mobile devices. Children are exposed to harmful websites which affect their lives negatively.
According to the bishop, “ichuta ego( an Igbo phrase that translates legitimate hard work in business) has been replaced by “ibute ego” (get rich quick syndrome).
The cleric also condemned fake pastors and prophets who gave their congregants false hopes, while praising the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo for clamping down on such pastors and native doctors in recent times. ” I thank Prof Soludo for fighting this menace of fake native doctors, ezenwanyi , fake prophets and those who do Okeite rituals for our young people. It’s a welcome development, he noted.
He further commended Governor Soludo for the unprecedented infrastructural strides of his administration without loans. ” Soludo is doing excellently well. The new government house he is building is good because this is the first time such is done since creation of the State 34 years ago.The roads he constructing across the State are qualitative. His approach to the fight against insecurity in Anambra is laudable, and I call on the federal government too to pay more attention to the rising insecurity in the country. What is happening in Benue, Plateau and some other states where even churches are targeted should not be allowed any longer. Mr President should show greater commitment to securing the country.
On the forthcoming governorship polls in the State, Bishop Ezeokafor called on all the political gladiators to play by the rules of the game while charging the citizens to vote wisely. He expressed the hope that votes will count in the governorship election slated for 8th November, 2025.
The cleric who wished Nigerians a happy Easter celebrations, also prayed for the peace of Anambra State and Nigeria.