Speaks On The Journey So Far As He Labours In The Lord’s Vineyard
The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has reaffirmed his total submission to the service of God and humanity,
Archbishop Ibezim who made the declaration at a Press Briefing at the Emmaus House, in Awka, on Monday, to mark the commencement of a week-long activities lined up to mark his sixtieth birthday coming up on Friday.
He gave highlights of various chapters of his journey both in Nigeria and abroad, towards his being ordained as a Bishop, then Archbishop, and declared that only God could see him through all the rigours and stormy whether.
Archbishop Ibezim expressed unreserved appreciation to all who helped him through all the years, and begged God to bless them all.
Speaking on the state of the nation, the Prelate called on government to pay more attention to the plight of the masses who he noted, are facing so much hardship.
“The government has failed the country and the people are suffering. Our children have stayed almost six months at home doing nothing.
“I say it clearly, the government has failed. The country has changed from bad to worse. What I see in this government is a complete failure and until we begin to address this failures constructively with truth then, things might get worse.”
On politics and the 2023 General Election, Archbishop Ibezim decried tje Muslim /Muslim Ticket, describing the move as insensitivity to the place of Christians in the country.
He said, “I am looking at Christian-Muslim leadership. That is, Christian should be on top while Moslem comes under. That is what I’m looking at. But if one says it is Muslim-Muslim leadership the outcome will be a surprise because Christians cannot be categorized as nothing.
“We need to be holistic and truthful to ourselves, we must recognized that the church must not be played with.
“It is important that Christians should have a say in government because we are not second class citizens. By the time you start treating Christians as second class citizens, you have failed.
“So, it is in the interest of Nigeria that the church succeeds because anywhere that the church did not succeed, that place will go back to darkness.”
He called on the citizens to get their Voter’s card to vote for candidates of their choice.
The State executive members of the NUJ lef by the Chairman, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Archbishop in his office, where he charged Journalists to always uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The Prelate urged journalists to be fair in their reportage to the avoid causing disaffection and serve as watchdog of the society.
The Archbishop described media job as herculean, as journalists are always at the forefront of issues and dangerous places inorder to inform the people of happenings in society.
He commended the state NUJ Chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu for his leadership qualities, maintaining that the Diocese is open to constructive criticism from journalists and called on them to portray the image of the church in good light.
Earlier, Dr. Odogwu said the purpose of the visit was to felicitate with the Archbishop, appreciate his remarkable achievements since assumption of office and to pledge the support of the media in uplifting humanity.
He commended the Prelate for championing the course of ecumenism in the state as well as his efforts in moving Anglican communion forward.
The state NUJ Chairman listed some achievements of the prelate in Diocese such as scholarship awards, giving succor to the needy, job creation and infrastructure development among others.
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