‘She Waged A War’: A Daughter’s Intimate Look At Nigeria’s Most-Decorated Figure

Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr

BY ASHKLEY OKWUOSA

TVO.org speaks with author Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr about her mother, Dora Akunyili, and how she battled discrimination and death threats to take on corruption

In 1988, Dora Akunyili’s sister died after being given fake insulin to treat her diabetes. It was not an isolated incident: estimates suggest that up to 80 per cent of the drugs in circulation in Nigeria at the time were counterfeit.

Akunyili, who’d earned her PhD in ethnopharmacology in 1985, would make the fight against fake medicine her life’s work.

In 2001, she became the director-general of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, where she worked to reduce the circulation of counterfeit drugs in the country. Not long into her tenure, the BBC reported that her team had confiscated £140,000 worth of fake drugs.

Akunyili also relied heavily on public-education campaigns. While her efforts were successful, she received death threats; in 2003, she survived an assassination attempt after a bullet shattered the windscreen of her car and pierced her headscarf.

Eleven years later, Akunyili died of cancer. She is said to be the most honoured Nigerian ever, having received more than 1,000 awards.

Earlier this year, Akunyili’s daughter, Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr — a Toronto-based author and speaker — published a book about her mother’s life titled I Am Because We Are: An African Mother’s Fight for the Soul of a Nation. TVO.org speaks with Akunyili-Parr about her mother’s legacy, hope in politics, and the importance of interdependence and community.

TVO.org: For those who might not know your mother, can you describe her briefly and tell us what she represented?

Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr: She was at some point named “Man of the Year” — that’s the kind of person my mom was. She was called an Amazon by many people, so this is to say that she was a strong woman. She was very publicly recognized for the work she did while at the helm of the Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, where she served as the director general. And that work was very important because it is a sector that is the vein of a country.

All of us, every single day, put food and medicine into our bodies. Imagine if the food and medicine were counterfeit and doing the opposite of what they were supposed to do. It’s not nourishing you; it’s killing you. And this is not an overstatement. This was going on, and many people were dying, including my own mother’s sister, who died as a result of fake insulin.

She took the work to heart, and she waged a war. She called it a war against fake drugs. She didn’t do this alone; she brought the people of Nigeria along with her, sensitized them on what the actual problem was and empowered them to be a part of this journey. She came to the attention of millions, not just by virtue of her words but also by her actions and the 80 per cent reduction in fake drugs that happened in Nigeria.

She as a hard-working woman who was looking out for the well-being of the people. The people were very central to her. She really saw the power of shared humanity and guarded it, because that's what it means to be human and to be each other's brothers and sisters.

TVO.org: I recently watched a news clip from Nigeria’s National Television Authority that featured a tribute to her after her death. In the video, Nigerians here in Canada — in Ottawa — were mourning her death. One man said, “She gave us hope.” What was it about her life that affected people, even those watching from here?

Akunyili-Parr: Growing up in Nigeria, it was very common for us to sit around the dinner table and bemoan the state of affairs, politics, leadership. It was this hopelessness, and all we could do was just complain. Nigerians have had very few individuals that represented a new possibility for the country, so when she came along, it was exciting, because that’s what Nigerians have been desiring. She embodied that Nigeria that was in our hearts as a dream.

And how did she do this? She worked hard, refused bribes, and she had several assassinations attempts on her life as a result of saying no to compromising herself on this war against fake drugs. When you can see someone who embodies something that is otherwise sort of a dream, maybe dismissed as unrealistic — someone who doesn’t take bribes, someone who is not corrupt, someone who cares about the people… We had very much bought into that story that we’ve always known, but in truth is not who we are. She was a different story and has inspired so many others; we didn’t have to be that single story of what it means to be Nigerian.

TVO.org: There’s so much to be said about being a woman in politics and the sense that it is an old boys’ club. Can you share a little bit about what your mother experienced and how she overcame it?

Akunyili-Parr: A friend of mine just finished reading the book, and she said that it shows the struggles of women that shattered the glass ceiling, because my mother shattered expectations. But there are scars along that route; there's a cost to that. From the get-go, she stepped into this job with something to prove, because there were concerns that she couldn't handle it, because she was a woman. There was a cost to her family. She had six children; she was away all the time. But luckily, we were older when she got the job. At some point, there was a threat to her children. My little brother's life was threatened as a way of getting to her, and he had to be removed from the country.

But my mother's superpower was whatever you threw at her, she used almost as a weapon. So: “You think I can't do it because I'm a woman? I’ll show you.” Or “you think I'm going to be corruptible because of XYZ? I’ll do the opposite.”

“Try to kill me because I'm doing good work, and I’ll get even stronger.”

TVO.org: In this book, you write in her voice and tell her story. I wonder what you wanted us to take from her story and what you think she would have wanted readers to take from the story of her life?

Akunyili-Parr: I was very clear that this was not the unattainable story of a hero or a story for us to look at how amazing she was and be impressed by that. At the core, I wanted to tell a human story, a story that would help us realize that she was you and I — she was just a girl. She was just an Igbo girl who believed in herself and what she had to offer and whose values were shaped by growing up in a village, raised by her grandmother who was this incredible matriarch and had deep values that she bestowed upon her — values of hard work, of honesty, of community, and all these things that became part of who she was. She was just a person who felt pain like we all do, was heartbroken, questioned herself, had insecurities.

But there were some key elements that I anchor in the book: her faith and her own inner belief that there was a purpose to her life. In many ways, she's sharing who she is so that we can find who we are. She is telling you her story so that you can understand that your story is powerful. In the beginning of each chapter, I start with an African proverb, and one of the ones that people have really loved is “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never spent a night with a mosquito.” And I think in many ways, that captures her life. She always believed that she could make a difference anywhere she was put. She started with a group in a local village, where she built a clinic. and then someone saw that and put her in a local government and so on. So, I would say that it's knowing yourself, stepping into the truth of who you are, and knowing that your story is being written and that you are the author of that.

TVO.org: Another major theme in the book is Ubuntu, which you describe as the importance of community over the individual. In these times, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing that our own individual actions have shared consequences.

Akunyili-Parr: Ubuntu stems from different Bantu languages. It is an African humanist philosophy; one of the translations is “a person is a person to other people.” Another is “I am because you are. You are because we are.” Something that a friend who did a PhD in Ubuntu always makes sure to remind people of is that it’s not always about the human part of it; it’s also about recognizing the bigger world we are part of. Everything is interconnected, and everything is part of this very beautiful delicate balance.

My mother had this saying at the end of the last speech she made before she passed a few months later. She ended with “a society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they know they shall never sit.” And I believe that is the essence of Ubuntu — that interconnectedness is so delicate and so powerful. My mother’s life not just Ubuntu because she decided to show up, but in how she showed up. She was consciously showing up to safeguard lives, knowing that every life matters. She saw fake drugs as a huge problem because human potential is incredible, and when lives are lost senselessly, so is the potential they had to have contributed deeply to community.

This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

Proffer Solution To Frequent Collapse Of Our National Grid, UNN VC Charges Engineers

IMAGE: UNN.EDU.NG

BY IKECHUKWU ODU

NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE (VANGUARD) - The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe, on Friday, charged engineers to intensify researches aimed at finding lasting solution to the energy crisis which results in frequent collapse of the national grid.

The Vice Chancellor who described energy as the life wire of all the sectors of the economy, said that the prospect of the nation towards solving its myriad of challenges may not be feasible without reliable electricity.

He made the statements during his opening address at the 19th Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture, HMML, christened ‘The Path to Stable Electricity in Nigeria,’ organised by the Faculty of Engineering, UNN, at the St. Teresa’s College Main Hall, Nsukka.

He also described Herbert Macaulay as one of the first Nigerian nationalists who championed Nigerian independence, adding that UNN would continue to recognize his great contributions to national development.

He equally said that UNN instituted HMML lecture series to highlight the several faces of a man who has been described as the father of Nigerian nationalism and to encourage present day engineers, surveyors, architects and other professionals to learn from his professional lifestyle and make every effort to leave good footprints on the sands of time.

While delivering the HMML lecture, the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Limited, Eric Okeke, said the problem of energy problem in the country is lack of money.

He also said “This is because, without money, whatever product we develop is a waste. In simple terms, what makes a product attractive to the inventor is simply the ability of that product to generate money. Is there a market for this my product and if there is, are people ready to pay me to enjoy the services of my product? Once the answer is yes, then we are in business. But where a product is not attractive enough for users to pay for it, or where it is attractive, but the owner does not have the mechanism to collect payment,then no matter how beautiful that product is, it is a failure,” he explained.

Okeke also said that lack of enough energy generation, transmission and distribution capacity to ensure that consumers enjoyed stable electricity in their homes and offices, as well as non cost reflective tariff to ensure that value chain was operated and maintained efficiently, and investments made for future growth, were the two major issues resulting in inaccessibility of energy in Nigeria.

He also said “Nigerians have always taken electricity as a social product which should not be paid for. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when this attitude emerged; but it stands to reason that electricity from the grid became increasingly unstable (and so served as a backup power source to most people rather than their primary source), people stopped paying for a product they were not receiving. Cognizant of this, the government at the point of privatisation planned to increase the tariff over time.

“The logic was that people would only start paying when service had improved, and service would only improve if the previous issue of under capacity was solved,” he said.

He however said poor private investments in power sector had been attributed to fear of investors to recoup money invested as electricity consumers most times feel reluctant to pay for service rendered.

“Power generation is cost effective,so the inability of some customers to pay for service rendered have been a drawback to electricity distribution companies in the country,” he said.

Mr. James Agada, an Engineer and Managing Director, Ixzora Laboratories in a keynote address said that the problems of stable electricity in Nigeria has to do with technical, political and economic challenges.

“Technical, political and economic are among the challenges militating against stable electricity in Nigeria

“It is also an opportunity for policy makers to create an environment and structure where such private generation can be fed back to the public grid,” he said

Earlier, Prof Emeka Obe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering in UNN said that electricity remain the key driver of every modern economy.

According to him, “electricity is the base of infrastructure on which nearly every other infrastructure relies.

“The lecture provides us with the avenue to interact with distinguished professionals who have the love for our faculty and indeed our university at heart,” he said.

The Dean, however appealed for help to enable the faculty to have a 1000 capacity lecture theater, new and separate building for seven departments, among others

Excellence, Job Quality Behind Our Success In Industrial Cleaning — CEO Som-Tee Group

9 NEWS INTERVIEW

BY NWANKWO PASCHAL

Somtochukwu Ezeaniomenyi. Image via 9 News

Somtochukwu Ezeaniomenyi is the Chief Executive officer, CEO, Som-Tee Group, a multilateral cleaning company in Anambra state. He is a young and dynamic Nigerian entrepreneur currently making waves in industrial cleaning business. Born to Igbo parents of Neni extraction in Anambra state, Somto, in this interview with LAWRENCE NWIMO x-rayed his experiences in the female dominated cleaning business and what triggered his passion to be an entrepreneur. He also spoke on the draw-backs hindering business and what government must do to help young entrepreneurs in the state and country. Excerpts:

Can we meet you?

My name is Somtochukwu Ezeaniomenyi. I’m a native of Umuabani Village, Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area Anambra State I am the Managing Director of Som-Tee Cleaning Services Ltd.

How was your Childhood days and family experience?

My growing up was fun. Though I was not born with a silver spoon, it was not too tough because I am the sixth child out of seven and the second boy out of three so I had siblings that are older, though there were ups and down, you know. I didn’t grow up in a first class family and because that, it was a tough fight, trying to make it through the primary, secondary and then tertiary institutions.

What was your childhood dream?

My childhood dream was to become an engineer but later switched my desire to becoming a lawyer.

Now, you are neither an engineer nor a lawyer, what happened to the both?

Well. Like I said, when I was growing up, actually, my first dream was to become an engineer because I loved constructing and repairing things. But that dream was shattered in my secondary school because I was bad in physics – so, I switched from Science to an Art class and my interest shifted from being and engineer to a lawyer because I felt I was very good in arguments. I never saw me becoming a professional cleaner or establishing a company for business, laughs.

What drove you into Professional Cleaning?

I started cleaning job immediately after my secondary education. Within the one year I stayed at home waiting for admission; I had a friend of my sister that was into industrial cleaning then. My sister linked me up to him and I was working for him as a laborer; that was in 2014 and I was being paid one thousand naira (N1,000) per day because I did more of the menial jobs. The nature of the job was tough for me at that time. Again, it needed strong hands but I devoted my time with him to learning the craft. I worked for him for ten days before he suddenly stopped calling me for works after he noticed that I was gradually learning the craft indirectly. As a result, each time I called my colleagues to know how far, they would say they went for work. Then when I ask my Oga, he would say ‘work no dey.’

What happened later?

On December 2014, A friend of mine whose uncle just finished building a house, convinced me to go and meet his uncle for the job. I had wanted to link the man to my boss because I was scared to take up the job myself. After much Persuasion, I later took up the courage to do the job myself with the little Knowledge I gathered while working with my former boss and the rest was history. That was the first contract I got in the cleaning industry and it happened to be the turning point of my life because from that day onwards, God made a way for me. As a matter of fact we have done over 600 cleaning Jobs and have worked for varieties of companies and individuals over the years.

Have you encountered any challenge along the line?

There were many challenges. One of our major challenges was Finance. There was no machine which made the work so hard for me and my Team. We were doing most of the jobs manually. it was so hard purchasing working equipments because I always rely on a job to purchase the materials needed. However, I don’t have a vehicle so I made use of the commercials; it was so hard to transport our working equipments to some locations. Due to some bad road networks in the state, some of our client’s locations are difficult to access. Again, most people in Anambra especially Onitsha where I started perceived cleaning as an ordinary work that can be done by anybody, this has resulted to many rejections from contractors and house owners, but so far we are trying to change the narrative. Also, after I gained admission to study at Federal College Of Education (Technical), Umunze in 2015, I was in constant battle, trying to combine work with Education. You know, my Education usually take all of January to September so, I usually face the heat period of ember months as cover-up for lost times.

Did you envisage continuing the work after school?

No. I wasn’t serious with the job in any way because I didn’t see myself continuing with it after school. It was more of part time or casual work.

Were there other things you did to survive in school within the January to September months?

Yes. I could remember I sold face caps and shirts around 2016/17. That aside, I was into interior decorations. I decorate people’s house; paintings and the rest. I was also doing some menial labours like job man, site work and even served masons. In 2018, I learnt how to do Sharwama and also ventured into doing that too. I did Hypeman job in clubs too. I was doing anything legal called work and I did all these to survive.

Why did you decide to go into cleaning having been exposed to these numerous jobs?

Well, when I finished my NCE program in 2018, I asked myself: what next? Because I realized I needed something to sustain myself. The works I do then had all been part time and among them all, it was cleaning that gives me the profit to believe in. I found out it is something I do with passion. Cleaning work doesn’t come always but when it comes, I take it with love. So, after graduation, I continued with it and was only keen to develop it. At a point, I started surfing the web on industrial cleaning and noticed that it is one of the biggest industries in the world. I noticed it was not too conversant in Anambra state then, I decided to carve a niche for myself in the area.

At what point did you decide to have a Som-Tee as a brand?

In 2020 during the lockdown season, the vision was to build a standard company and not just a one man company in cleaning industry. That’s why I’m building it as a company; a brand in the industry that would be running even in my absence. I did not want the legacies I had set over the years to just die off. So, I had to set it up to a standard with vision of where we are going to.

Cleaning is a female dominated field. How does it feel competing with women?

It has not been an easy task. In fact, you can count the number of men in this industry. Sometimes, you find out that site owners have sisters and female friends that do the cleanings for them. However, what has kept me going is excellence. Because it is usually my clients that recommend me to other clients and it is due to our job quality. Over the years, I have found refuge in recommendations. Most of the big jobs we have done so far were gotten from recommendations and referrals and it is due to the excellence in my work.

Are there times you felt like leaving the industry considering its competitiveness?

Of course! There were times I wanted to give up on the industry. It is very competitive and demanding. People outside might not really know these but it is we that are into it that know the level of competition here. You can see people that just started cleaning business yesterday and today, they have all the machines available and you’re still struggling. So sometimes, especially at the initial stage, when the needed finance was not there to acquire certain machines, I felt like dropping back.

Why do you refer your company as a conglomerate?

Som-Tee Group is a conglomerate because we are designed to deal in Everything Cleaning. Som-Tee specializes in all kinds of cleaning Ranging From:

Domestic/Residential Cleaning which includes Regular Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Janitorial Cleaning, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Polishing of Tiles and Bricks.

Industrial/Commercial Cleaning which includes Post-Construction/Renovation Cleaning, Facility Management/Maintenance, Retainership Services, Training/Mentorship and General Consulting/Contracting.

Environmental Cleaning which includes Waste Management and Disposal, Estate/Street Cleaning,

Drainage and Sewage cleaning, etc

We also have plans of Venturing into Production of Cleaning Substance and also Sales of Cleaning Equipments and Materials. Laundry Hubs, Car Wash are also in the pipeline.

So Som-Tee Group is a Specialized Conglomerate of Everything Cleaning, We are building a company that would be a sort out company when it comes to Cleaning.

What stands your brand out from others?

We offer credibility and excellence. Like I told you before, what has kept us so far over the years is excellence. Our staff works with passion because they see the passion in me. I didn’t start cleaning because of the money I was making but the passion I have for it. So, excellence is the watchword and any house we are called to clean, we clean it like our life depends on it.

You established the company even before you graduated from the university, what was the secret behind the feat?

It was Grace from God. I wouldn’t have been here as a fresh graduate and an owner of such a brand without His Grace. It was not an easy journey physically but it was His Grace that kept me going. I finished my NCE in 2018, and by 2019, God made this company even grew bigger. In the process of my Degree Education, being able to combine it was a very rough and risky journey but His Grace was there to see me through.

Would you consider going into other sectors if given the opportunity?

Well. Like I said earlier, Som-Tee Group is a conglomerate. We are working towards branching into so many things. We are working towards production of different cleaning materials, sales of cleaning equipments; importation of different kinds of machines for cleaning, procurement services and lots more. Our vision is to build a standout company that can handle anything cleaningIf any opportunity comes aside these; I can grab it as well.

So far, could you name your biggest achievement(s)?

My biggest achievement, so far, is being able to run this company for the past seven years.Som- Tee at seven, many things happened. Building this business up to this level and handling over five hundred jobs alongside going through school and acquiring Two Certificates in Education. That has been the biggest achievement of my life so far.

How many jobs have you been able to create through your conglomerate?

My company has been able to create no fewer than 50 jobs for youths in Anambra state. Both Fulltime and part time.

Where do you see your brand in the next five years?

We should be among the top class cleaning conglomerates in Nigeria because we would be all round in the cleaning industry including environmental, commercial, residential and domestic cleaning. We would also be all round in supplies of cleaning machines and products. So, in the next five years, expect Som-Tee Group to operate beyond the shores of Nigeria by the grace of God.

How well do you think Anambra government has done in creating business opportunities and what is interesting about Anambra man?

Anambra state has done well in all ramifications, such as natural resources, oil and gas, urbanization and structural planning, culture and tourism, religion, education, entertainment, business and politics. Anambra state has improved drastically in all of these sectors over the years. Anambra State has list of notable men and women both old and young in all sectors both in within and outside Nigeria. The people of Anambra are known for being Industrious, hard working and Smart. Despite some challenges they face when it comes to governmental structures and policies, People of Anambra are known for their resilience. They have shown great courage in striving to survive no matter the Economic Situation in the Country. Being Onye Anambra is something one should be very proud of. The people of Anambra are known for their resourcefulness and they are associated with Success and progress Regardless of the conditions surrounding their environment. I am proud of being Onye Anambra.

What triggered your passion to be an entrepreneur and how viable is doing business in Anambra?

To many youths in Nigeria, becoming an entrepreneur might seem like a scary and high risk taking journey, but to me, this unpredictable adventure seems like the perfect path that my life should take. There are many reasons that triggered my passion to be an entrepreneur. I have always admired great and Successful entrepreneurs. Seeing successful people inspire me a lot to become successful. This gives me the hope and makes me believe that becoming an entrepreneur will allow me to network with people who have already built great businesses. I believe that I have enough potential to find the next profitable idea and change the lives of millions of people.

Being an entrepreneur gives me the freedom to explore my creativity. There is a saying that goes thus “Different Strokes for Different Folks”. People have different callings in Life. Being a 9-5er doesn’t feed my burning passion for creativity and innovation. I feel like I am simply doing what the society expects of me instead of making a difference in the world. It is through starting my own business that I get to freely express my creative ideas and fulfill my dreams. I became an entrepreneur because I see it as a mandatory journey to take. A strong fire in my heart makes me believe that I have a strong purpose in the world that surpasses the reality of being an employee. As an entrepreneur, I am driven with the need to succeed and control my own destiny. Owning a business gives me no limitations on the profit and opportunities that I can gain.

I look out to manage projects with high stakes because I have enough confidence to execute them. I love the act of betting on an idea and watching it develops, it makes me smile. I have always wanted to use my company to impact people’s lives and also improve the economy with new job opportunities. I am passionate about helping people more than the pursuit of material things, I derive priceless joy when I offer my service to people and see the happiness and joy it creates in them. That is even more than any reward I can get from a Job.

How viable is doing business in Anambra?

Anambra State is one of the fastest growing states in the country. Like many other states in the country, Anambra state is faced with its own unique challenges. However, due to its fast growing economy, doing business in Anambra is rewarding and Profitable. Doing business in Anambra is very promising and I believe that with persistence, perseverance and Consistency which entrepreneurship requires, I will definitely succeed in an economic driven state like Anambra.

Being someone that started from the scratch, would you say government is fair to the youths?

Well. I would say government has been fair to some extent but there are still rooms for improvement. Government still needs to empower the youths because if they are empowered, they would do more. We have lots of youths doing many things. We have youths with visions. If they are empowered with loans and grants, in the next few years, there would be powerful indigenous companies in Anambra state. Again, when youths are empowered, it would reduce the burden of employment on the government.

Aside loans and grants, do you think there are other things youths need to be successful entrepreneurs?

Yes. Youths need to plan. A youth will succeed when he plans himself very well. You must have a mapped out business plan consisting target audience and areas. When you plan yourself very well, work towards it. Have team members on the edge working and doing their specific duties from their own angles. Though there might be setbacks along the way but if you do your risk management very well, you would be able to cope. But you must plan first.

You are a man of diverse skills, you hold TRCN, NCE and B.Ed certificates, and do you see yourself becoming a teacher someday?

Well. I don’t know what God has in stock for me but I always hope for the best. I wouldn’t say I will not accept it if the opportunity to lecture or teach comes but it would all depends on the condition attached to it. I acquired the certificate quite alright and so if I am meant to practice it, it’s on God.

Would you consider using the skills you acquired as a teacher in training youths on industrial cleaning?

Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. Part of the conglomerate is Som-Tee Training Academy, where all our newly recruited staff is given sound training. Soon we would be organizing seminars to teach people who are ready to learn the craft so as to establish their own company in the future.

Are you single?

Yea! I’m still single.

How do you cope with female admirers?

It is a big challenge anyway but God remains God. I have been in series of relationship in the past but now I’m working on myself and my future. I want to develop myself before thinking anything about relationship again.

Do you have role model(s)?

Yea! My number one role model is Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, the CEO of Stanel Group. He is my Boss, Father, Mentor and my overall Chairman. Ever since I met him, my vision has widened. I also have the likes of Arc. Chukky Ezenwa, CEO GSS Group, Tony Elumelu, CEO Heir Holdings, Dr Cosmas Maduka, CEO Coscharis Group, and lots more. They are the people I look up to and wish to become like someday.

What is your advice to the youths who may want to toe your path?

In as much as they go to formal schools, every youth should learn a skill no matter how small it is. Having a skill is more or less a second plan. There are skills in writing, producing and even in the tech world. There are many skills that can be acquired in the tech world. It is good to learn and practice a skill. We should also have a vision of growing the skill to make something out of it and above all, always pray to God.

'We Are All One Community': Saint Joseph's Catholic Church Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary

From left: Chinonso Akano, Kathy Bearden, Monsignor John Walsh, Chris Gibbs and Esther Honori are pictured after the 70th birthday service at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta March 18.

LEO TOCHTERMA

MARIETTA (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL) — Organizers for the 70th-anniversary service at Saint Joseph Catholic Church were pleasantly surprised.

They had expected some 400 people to show up, and instead found around 800 people gathered in its pews last Friday.

Founded in 1952, the church has more than 4,000 families, according to Monsignor John Walsh. Congregants filled it to the brim for the anniversary of its founding, which, not coincidentally, is also the birthday of the church's namesake.

Walsh was happy to see such a vibrant crowd.

"People are ready to come back after COVID-19," Walsh said. "When I looked out tonight, especially around 6:30 and saw a big group of people there, I figured we would have a very good product tonight."

The two-hour service was attended by high-ranking church leaders, including Bernard Edward Shlesinger III, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and those in attendance offered prayers and well-wishes by the clergy for Ukraine.

Since Walsh arrived at the church 14 years ago, he's seen it diversify, with large Mexican and African populations joining the parish. To welcome this diversity, some parts of the Mass are conducted in Spanish depending on the number of worshippers in attendance.

"We have different cultures," Walsh said. "We still have people from different areas, and they all seem to be mingling away and working together, which has been great."

In its 70 years in Marietta, the congregation has undergone plenty of changes, most notably building a bigger church building to accommodate a growing population.

After the anniversary service, members of the church spoke of the sense of community they feel coming through Saint Joseph's doors.

Stephen Bird first attended the church's school back in 1966.

"It's changed a lot, but it's always been a welcoming community," he said.

Bird and his wife, Romi Rivera Bird, a native of Mexico City, appreciated Walsh and the church's involvement with Marietta's Mexican community.


"We came here to start a ministry (in 1999) to serve the Hispanic community that was rolling a lot into Marietta at the time," she said, "so that's something I appreciate about Saint Joseph."

Chinonso Akano, 45, moved to Marietta from Nigeria in 2012 in search of a parish to call home and found it at Saint Joseph's. Akano serves as president of the church's African community and has a seat on the parish council.

"We met people of African descent (here), so we felt like we were at home," Akano said. "They want your input. They want people to be heard because we are all one church, we are all one community."

Now more than a decade into his time with the congregation, Akano, whose four daughters and wife attend service there with him, believes he made the right choice on a place of worship.

"If I had to do it all over again, I'd still come back to St. Joseph," he said.

Soludo's Solemn Submission

 Charles Chukwuma Soludo takes Oath of Office March 17, 2022. Image via ABC

BY CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM

The Governor’s promise to Ndi Anambra came in the 14th of his 50-paragraph inaugural address of March 17, 2022: “I feel your pulse,” he intoned. “For your sake I keep awake at night, sometimes having palpitations about not letting you down. Well, since God is the Miracle Worker, I will look up to Him in prayer and faith as we all start the work ahead of us. I see and feel all the humungous challenges… But here’s my promise: I will give it my all. I will work very hard every day, with you, to make Anambra proud. Every kobo of your tax money will be deployed to provide you maximum value.”

A cynical listener, whether via the electronic/social media or physically present at the Government House concourse in Awka, would have been forgiven for responding thus: “There’s nothing new in the sight of a bow and arrow carrying Hausa man.” That’s an Igbo way of saying that Nigeria’s politics is like a raft tossed about in an ocean of flowery promises.

But I believe Governor Soludo. For a number of good reasons, Ndi Anambra have also placed their confidence in him. Foremost is trust, something he dwelt on while thanking those that aided his journey to the governorship. “Let me particularly thank my friend and outgoing governor of Anambra, HE (Sir) Willie Maduabrochukwu Obiano, for being an honourable gentleman and leader. On Sunday, 20th November 2016, I accepted your proposal for gentlemen’s understanding and partnership. I kept my part in 2017 and even after five years, you still kept yours in 2021. I always emphasize this point because it is rare these days to find people who keep their word in politics, and we will never take your support for granted. You are indeed a great leader. Thanks for believing in me. We will work hard to make you and Ndi Anambra proud.”

What had November 20, 2016, 2017 and 2021 to do with March 17, 2022? Everything! In 2016, Chief Obiano proposed Professor Soludo as his successor. They entered into a gentleman’s agreement. The unwritten pact meant that Soludo worked for Obiano’s re-election. Every Anambra observer cannot but remember that during the 2017 gubernatorial campaigns, Obiano and Soludo were like conjoined twins at every stage and every stop of the hustings. Re-elected, Obiano, the gentleman, remembered that a hen never forgets the hand that pulled its feathers during the rainy season. His unwavering support for Soludo ensured that the man won both the APGA primary ballot and the governorship poll.

A man who makes public capital out of a private question of trust is unlikely to betray the trust already reposed in him by his people. Personal experience lends credence to this proposition. Said Soludo: “For me, this issue is personal and emotional. My mother died during the civil war; our last born, Chukwuemeka died during the war; my father bore a bullet inside him for years; my elder brother – at 16, was in the ‘Boys Company’. At 8, I became the “man of the house”, with all the men at the war front. My uncles, cousins, etc., died during the war. This is 2022, and there are certainly far better ways to protest than shedding the blood of the innocent or resorting to criminality. That is why I call on all of us today to join hands with me to execute the real agenda—a liveable and prosperous homeland of opportunities and jobs for our youth while maximizing the benefits of a united Nigeria/Africa.”

Soludo’s solemn promise to faithfully serve Anambra State appears with phrasal distinctions in eight other paragraphs of the 4,700-word essay. It appears in paragraph seven as an apostrophe to his immediate family: “As I repeatedly promised, I will work hard every day never to disappoint you. My 90-year-old father is watching this live, while my beloved mother, Mgbafor, is smiling in her grave.” In paragraph 22, it takes a more generalized form: “Ndi be anyi, what we propose is that we collectively build a new social and economic order that guarantees and defends economic freedom and reward of private enterprise to secure our future such that any child born in Anambra will have little incentive to rush elsewhere in search of opportunities and anyone persecuted anywhere in the world can return to a happy and prosperous homeland.”

Governor Soludo’s cerebral disposition is taken for granted. Yet, he does not claim to know all the answers. He does not exhibit superhuman airs. He does not assume that the job of mending a fractured people, of reawakening a collective consciousness thoroughly battered and bartered by calculated and systematic injustices indexed in the impunity of the superstructure and the tyranny in the substructure, is a task accomplishable by the waving of a magic wand. Therefore, he appeals for every hand to be on deck for the salvage operation just begun.

In adorning his mandate with collective raiment, he employs personal and collective pronouns to clinch his arguments: “I have done some homework,” he says. “Our detailed Plan rests on five key pillars: law and order (homeland peace and security); economic transformation as Nigeria’s next axis of industrial-tech and leisure; competitive and progressive social agenda (education, health, youth, women and vulnerable groups); Governance, rule of law and a rebirth of our value system; and aggressively tackling our existential threat posed by the environment—towards a clean, green, planned and sustainable cities, communities, and markets. For me, this agenda is also personal: I am here to build a society where I would be proud to live in after leaving office.”

These key pillars are tied to the brainwork that produced three seminal documents that posit a social contract with Ndi Anambra: “(a) ‘Anambra Vision 2070—a 50-Year Development Plan’ which I chaired the drafting; (b) ‘The Soludo Solution: A People’s Manifesto for a Greater Anambra’; and (c) ‘The Transition Committee (Combined) Report’—which built upon the first two.” These are a schedule in the gubernatorial tenure. There are, however, problems in need of prompt for redemptive action.

Foremost among them is the deleterious impact of the Monday-Monday sit-at-home regimen trending in the Igbo country. The others include a revenue collection schema that since converted Anambra into a vast cantonment of touts. How does Governor Soludo intend to grapple with these challenges? First on IPOB, his position is perceptive: “I endorse the recent statement (March 7, 2022) by the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/Archbishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution, requesting for a tripartite discussion between them, The Presidency, and South East governors to deal with the conflicts in the South East especially in relation to Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). There is no conflict that dialogue, in good faith, cannot resolve. Our government is determined to urgently restore peace and security in Anambra, and we will seek the active cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders.”

The logic is straightforward. Once there is jaw jawing, war warring gets sentenced to the backburner. It is hoped that with both hands those called upon to staunch a haemorrhaging entity will immediately grab his challenge. A point needs to be made, nonetheless. It is impossible to discount sheer criminality as a major impetus to the violence currently tied to the sit-at-homes. Fear pervades, and most people dare not breach the “order” and get outdoors on Mondays, even after Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had unambiguously denied ever giving the go-ahead for people to barricade themselves indoors every first working day of each week. Is it rationale to assume that the disregard to Kanu’s order to halt the sit-at-homes is simply down to his followers?

Only dubiety will contradict the Governor’s anti sit-at-home argument: “No, we refuse to turn our homeland into a crime scene and all manners of criminality. No group has ever succeeded in any struggle in history by turning the sword against themselves.” Also, “A significant part of our state economy is powered by artisans, keke drivers, vulcanizers, hairdressers, cart pushers, petty traders, bricklayers, women frying akara, and all those who depend upon daily toil and sweat to feed their families. Every day, there is a “sit at home,” these poor masses lose an estimated N19.6 billion in Anambra alone. Due to the protracted breakdown of law and order, businesses are relocating outside Igboland, with growing unemployment, and traders who used to come to shop in Onitsha, Aba, etc., are going elsewhere.”

Of the many gems in the address, one of the most uplifting is the promise that every Anambra citizen, inside and outside the State, is to be issued with an ID card. It is an antidote to deviant behaviour. Once you know your numbers, you also know those among you that are acting out of script. Thus, using moral suasion or the horsewhip to get them back into the line of sanity and good citizenship becomes a fait acompli.

It is no surprise that a Governor that came to power through transparent elections is rooting for the democratic process to go down to the third tier of government. Neither in Anambra nor elsewhere in the country has any serious attention been paid to local government elections in this Fourth Republic. Happily, Governor Soludo promises that, “We will conduct local government elections… Over the next two years, we shall review/amend the relevant legislations, reform and strengthen the system for efficiency, restructure/strengthen the Anambra’s Independent Electoral Commission, and conduct local government elections.”

What else to say? Yes, there is the emphasis on digitalization. “The land registry will be digitized; we shall leverage technology to ensure a responsive and accountable public service together with our initiative for an ID Card for every Anambra person… and a code of conduct for political appointees to mainstream servant leadership by example.”

Celebration, says the Governor, is on its way. Its arrival will coincide with when security of life and property is guaranteed, public utilities are functioning optimally, healthcare delivery is generally accessible and affordable, while children of school age are receiving 21st century education for the digital age, and meaning is given to the lives of the vulnerable. In short, Anambra’s celebration will come in the mode of the feel-good factor.

It could be argued that the inaugural’s length is not its strongest point. But the Governor’s employment of the rhetorical device of reiteration is intended to appeal to the people and win their cooperation. Besides, will it not be antipathetic for someone with a pedagogical pedigree to display a lack of fondness for minutiae?

In all, it is a glorious new dawn for Anambra State, an entirely new era led by a determined and seasoned administrator and technocrat with a human face, who intends a new heart in his people, a new lease of life for a novel society of peace, plenty and justice, which is “the first condition of humanity.” I believe.

Iloegbunam is the author of The Case For An Igbo President Of Nigeria

Beloved Rabbi’s Influence Also Uplifted Black Jewish Lives

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the most revered figures in the Haredi community, died in Bnei Brak, Israel, at 94 on March 18.

BY MORDECHAI BEN AVRAM

BNEI BRAK, ISRAEL (FORWARD) - Shimon HaTzadik (the Righteous) was a high priest during the Second Temple period. He would say, “On three things the world stands: On the Torah, on prayer, and on acts of kindness.” Later commentators would add that these three principles were the basis of why God created the world.

In this light, a person can grasp why hundreds of thousands turned out for the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky in Bnei Brak, Israel on Sunday, and why millions mourn him throughout the world. It’s not just the death of a revered person, but the spiritual example as articulated by Shimon the Righteous that Kanievsky exhibited in his 94 years, and that every person should strive for in their lifetime.

As the son of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky and nephew of the Chazon Ish, the stage was set for Rabbi Kanievsky to become one of the greatest leaders in Jewish history. While his influence is widely recognized, especially in the Haredi community, what is lesser known is the crucial role he played in the advancement of Jews of Color internationally.

One complex rabbinical challenge has been how to approach the multitudes throughout Africa who identify as Jewish but who were mostly unknown to the mainstream Jewish world until the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

In 2016, Rabbi Kanievsky took a leadership role in answering this question and sent rabbis to places like Nigeria to research the situation. After months of research, the rabbis returned to his office in Bnei Brak with information about the communities they observed. After reviewing the data, Kanievsky instructed those rabbis to help the people in Nigeria by giving members of the Igbo tribe a specific type of conversion (giyur l’chumra) that would remove any doubt or confusion about their Jewish lineage.

Not all of those who have visited the Igbo since have completely followed his instructions. But regardless, Rabbi Kanievsky’s decree changed the landscape of how mainstream Judaism should respond to the desire of the Igbo Jews to be a full part of the world Jewish community.

Rabbi Kanievsky also assisted Jews of Color in a different, and more interpersonal, realm. In 2018, African American Jewish musician Nissim Black visited him, expressing grievances about his inability to find proper religious schooling for his children, who were experiencing discrimination.

Rabbi Kanievsky told Black, “Being ‘Black’ is your mayla (virtue), not a chesaron (lacking).”

Black described the encounter, saying “for a second it felt like the whole world stood still.” Not long afterward, his children were accepted into some of the best religious schools in Beit Shemesh.

May Rabbi Kanievsky’s role as the leader of the Haredi community and his contributions to Jews of Color internationally be remembered throughout the ages.

Imo And The Second Coming Of Omenkeahuruanya

BY PAUL OBI

Paul Obi looks at the Rebuild Imo Project and the Omenkeahuruanya Movement spearheaded by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to herald his anticipated second coming

Imo occupies a central place in the Igbo-oriental cultural milieu, and mostly tagged along as the state of timber and caliber – like the late sage, Chief Sam Mbakwe. In Imo, Nigeria is bestowed with the rigour of Igbo culture and vibes of human capital development comparable anywhere in the world.

Yet since 2007, when the Achike Udenwa administration handed over the baton, it has been political harakiri on a free fall. From flogging of the men in cassock to Akpòlagi, and then ushered in constitutional vandals, the state of Sam Mbakee has become a mockery in democratic governance. Still, the episodes of January, 14, 2020 where jurists in Nigeria’s capital, far removed from the polling booth arenas in Imo thump printed for a contestant who came fourth in the real polls, Imo has regrettably lost the democratic appeal that makes her great. The sixty-four (64) thousand dollar question on the lips of many now is, is Imo politics stupid?

Imo is a great state with potentials; but as experiences have shown, it must first fix its wobble politics before economic growth would take stead. Thus, the problem of Imo is yielding so much of its political and democratic space to ‘yahoo yahoo governors,’ as Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu would say. Imo and her people, must therefore learn to keep their gubernatorial poll clean; keeping at bay political undertakers from participation. Imo might not be the only Nigerian state, confronting a democratic nadir. The plaque of mis-governance cuts across; particularly with the present collegiate club of state chief executives is alarming and runs deep. In Imo, the orgy of digression and distraction have been excruciating and outrageous. The stool and crown inside Douglas House is odious; and even smacks of perfidy – an amalgam of a stolen mandate.

Among the gubernatorial club and progressives, the heir of Douglas is not recognized nor accorded gubernatorial dues, and the emergence through the Supreme Court is seen as a heist. Among Imolites and the larger Nigerian population, the distrust is huge and damning. To many Nigerians, a forceful occupier does not have a place in a democracy, and as such lacks the constitutional mandate of Imo voters. In Imo, the wait to shift away that innocuous mandate chauffeured by the Supreme Court has been appealing and gladdening, just as kids wait for candy.

It is in that wait that the construct of the second coming of Omenkeahuruanya beckons. The definitive puzzle embedded in the name, Omenkeahuruanya is strong, potent and reliable. It symbolizes a performer, doer, a pragmatic character that delivers and perform that which is evident, and seen with beaming eyes. Not propaganda, nor a court of jesters, naysayers and poet-sychophants.

Omenkeahuruanya, is not just a pet name or an axiom for Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Within the six months of his stay in Douglas, Ihedioha lived to the billing of the name, and Imo had a semblance of what good governance should look like. It was evidently clear and seen that Imo was being railroaded back to the jubilant and ebullient years of Mbakwe, where infrastructural development and human capital development were at the forefront. Then, Ihedioha had multi-sectoral think-tanks to harness economic potentials that bestrode the Imo landscape for common good. Before occupying Douglas, Ihedioha had a good name – not perfect. Imperfection makes us human; perfection is reserved only for the divine creator. Rather, his dexterity and political sagacity remain tall and vast.

Conversely, some accused him of detachment and distance. Ironically, some insiders opined that Ihedioha takes care of outsiders and strangers far more than his inner circle and foot soldiers. Where and how then do we balance the equation? Still, very few Nigerian politicians can keep political group intact after or without power, the way and manner Ihedioha had sustained the Rebuild Imo Project group. Only Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, James Ibori (Ogidigbodigbo of Africa) and Liyel Imoke and few others share that feat. It takes expertise, political savvy, calmness and understanding of the political culture to thrive. Hate him or like him, no one can say Ihedioha is not a good politician. At least, he cares; not loud nor bombastic. He is well measured, collected and urbane with eyes fixated on rescuing Imo people from torrents of undemocratic rein, and decay of social life. In all, the Supreme Court somersault was a bitter pill and lesson to the ideals of Omenkeahuruanya.

Further, Omenkeahuruanya has learned his lessons. Next time, more attention will be paid to whoever occupies the Office of the Attorney General of the State (OAGS) even Chief of Staff (CoS). Before their eyes then, they allowed constitutional vandals to abruptly upturn the people’s mandate that was given at the ballot box, sweeping away the Rebuild Imo Project. Therefore, no such intellectual laziness should be allowed near the Omenkeahuruanya Movement and the Rebuild Imo Project. Rather, there is an urgency to open more; to be more receptive and embracing. There should be no need for commonpence, vendetta or payback. Instead, it should be governance, governance and governance, with Imo people front and centre.

In doing so, lessons must be learned. And if there is anything Omenkeahuruanya has to learn is from the current 2023 presidential run. Looking at the pool of presidential hopefuls, it is dominated by former governors. But only those who governed their states well in time past like Peter Obi; Bukola Saraki and Aminu Tambuwal are being taken seriously. The rest who pillaged, ravaged and manacled their states, running casino economies and atrocious governance in their infectious and incestuous wonderland have been declared non-starters by Nigerians. Thus, when politicians work and govern well to elevate and better the lives of citizens, people are aware, and are always on the verge to honour such politicians with a more higher and lofty elevation. What would the second coming of Omenkeahuruanya portend for Imo people?

Politically, the Rebuild Imo Project is presently facing an in-house tussle in Ihedioha’s main enclave over who takes over the Owerri Senatorial District in a zero-sum battle between the incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and Hon. Uche Onyeagocha. What would Ihedioha do now? Some are of the view that Sen. Onyewuchi has garnered so much experience that he should be allowed to go for a second term; others feel Onyeagocha connects well and he is likewise capable. From feelers on the field, attempts by Ihedioha to pacify the situation has not yielded positive outcomes. Onyeagocha is pressing on and he is being lend a space by supporters discontent with the status quo to wrestle Onyewuchi. How does Ihedioha intends to navigate this murky political waters?

Beyond the political uncertainty, from Ideato, Ikeduru, Mbaitoli, Ehime-Mbano, Orlu, Orsu, Isu, Nwangele, Owerri down to Mbutu; women, youths, business class and political class, the main political sing-song is for Ihedioha to return to Douglas House. It is a wait to restore real democracy and displace garrison politics of voting and electoral mandate stealing, arson and insecurity that has slowly come to define Imo. Ahead of 2023 gubernatorial poll, many Imo voters look forward to Ihedioha to hand him the tools to deliver Imo, just as Anambra citizens have done with Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Already, in a recent rally in Owerri last month to celebrate the new National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Sam Anyanwu (Sam Dede), Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike forewarned Imo electorates that the “greatest mistake” they would make is to allow a comeback of hijackers of democracy in 2023. A clear path to veer away from that dangerous situation is a unified house built around Omenkeahuruanya as 2023 draws near.

Coincidentally, tomorrow is Ihedioha’s 57th birthday anniversary; therefore, the move to rebuild and restore Imo begins in earnest. Will Ihedioha shine? Will Imo relish his rein and stay in Douglas? What does Ihedioha’s second coming portend for Imo citizens? Can we flip the page of Willam Butler Yeats in his poem, The Second Coming to say that with Ihedioha, the Imo falcons can and will hear the falconer? The answers to the above puzzles yawn for a passionate appeal in support of Ihedioha; in Omenkeahuruanya, the symbolism is to do good that can be seen – practice what you preach. In Ihedioha, Imo awaits with nostalgia!

SOURCE: THIS DAY

Enugu 2023: Problem With Zoning Is Ekweremadu’s Reason For Attacking It

Ike Ekweremadu

BY FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU

Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu has a right to aspire to be governor of Enugu State – no doubt about that. It is his inalienable democratic right to so aspire as it is, indeed, that of any other Nigerian or, for that matter, any Enugu State indigene. A legal and legislative heavyweight, the distinguished Senator knows, as we all do actually, that not even the National Assembly can legislate against any Nigerian aspiring to any political position in the land, zoning or not. So, there is ordinarily nothing wrong with his decision to throw his hat in the ring and run for governor of Enugu State come 2023.

What is wrong, in my view, is his attempt to discredit the existing leadership recruitment process in Enugu as a means of driving his own ambition. There is something inelegant about his disavowal of zoning, for instance. I think it is wrong for the distinguished senator to deploy a latter-day anti-zoning sentiment as a convenient excuse for his governorship aspiration, being that he comes from the ‘wrong part of town’ in the context of Enugu 2023.

Yes, there is zoning in Enugu State and it doesn’t matter when or how it started. That it was never formally agreed upon by Enugu stakeholders is neither here nor there. The distinguished Senator knows, perhaps better than anyone else, that not all agreements are formally written down, signed and sealed – some just exist by convention or practice. Even the British Constitution isn’t a formal document, come to think of it. The truth about Enugu in this political dispensation is that at the end of his two terms of eight years, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the first governor of the state in the Fourth Republic, handed over to Barrister Sullivan Chime who, in turn, handed over to Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who, all things being equal, will complete his two terms by next year and also hand over to a successor, who will also be chosen through the same relay fashion that has come to define Enugu’s leadership recruitment process.

That is Enugu’s truth, irrespective of what former Governor Nnamani had in mind when he chose to hand over to Enugu West instead of Enugu North. Nor do I accept, , going by Prof. Ekweremadu’s argument, that the decision to hand over to Enugu North (Nsukka) by Chime in 2015 was dictated more by the spirit of equity and fairness (compassion, if you will) than by the imperative of zoning. No, I think the handover to Enugu North was simply inevitable, not least because it was also the right thing to do at that time – for the good of Enugu. Pray, would Chime have handed power back to an Enugu-East person or to a fellow Enugu-Westerner at the end of his eight years in office in 2015? I hold the view that while the immediate past handover to Enugu-North was pragmatic, even a noble act, it was no favour; it was politics of realism at play.

Now, enough of the stereotyping already! When Senator Ekweremadu argued that what Chime did in 2007 by handing over to Ugwuanyi was not based on zoning but was an action taken in the spirit of equity and fairness (read pity for Nsukka), was he still referring to the same Enugu North zone that had produced the first executive governor of Enugu State? If Nsukka had produced, way back in 1992, the first governor of the newly created Enugu State (when Abakaliki zone was still part of Enugu State), did the zone actually need the pity of the rest of Enugu to be able to produce, again, the governor of the state in 2015? Of course not. It means, in essence, that zoning or rotation of governorship in Enugu State didn’t start in 2015 when Chime handed over to Ugwuanyi; it started in 1999 with the combustive Nnamani who set the ball rolling in his own uncanny way, and Nsukka was a beneficiary of zoning already in full bloom in the Coal-City State in 2015.



Even then, it is as if Ekweremadu isn’t exactly sure how to frame his anti-zoning narrative. In one breath, he says zoning did not start in Enugu in 1999, so there has been no zoning in the State. In another he says going by zoning, Enugu-West (his zone) has produced only one governor (Chime) while East has produced Nwobodo, Onoh and Nnamani, while Enugu North (Nsukka) has produced Nwodo and now Ugwuanyi. Therefore, the next governor come next year should (must?) come from the West and must be micro-zoned to Greater Awgu. Now, is there zoning or no zoning?

It is contradictory still that while Ekweremadu discredits zoning on the basis of senatorial districts (which are constitutional creations), he is all for zoning on the basis of cultural zones (which do not exist in the eyes of the law). That is to say that the principle is the respected senator’s own creation, conveniently engineered to justify his quest for Enugu governorship at a time and in a season such a quest is unlikely to fly, for the simple reason that he comes from the ‘wrong part of town’ in the context of Enugu 2023.

It is a different matter altogether whether rotation has served Ndi Enugu well or not. Which is not even the argument Ekweremadu is advancing to make a case for his governorship! But as Christ was to say as evidence of His presence in the midst of the people (the blind see, the lame walk, etc), isn’t the fact that Enugu is peacefully progressive and no one is feeling cheated, enough evidence that zoning has served the state well?

The pain Ekweremadu feels at his Greater Awgu not having produced the governor of the state is understandable – one can even sympathise with him. But that is an internal problem of Enugu-West to resolve; it cannot be an Enugu State problem, come to think of it. If anything, it would, in point of fact, be highly impolitic, even foolish, for Enugu to jettison zoning by senatorial district basis which has served it well over time, for that based on linguistic sub-groups just to pander to the political interest of distinguished Senator Ekweremadu. In any case, and without meaning to play the devil’s advocate, I note that while Agbaja produced the governor for only eight years, Greater Awgu has been senator for 20 years and counting! And you ask, who is actually marginalizing whom in this dispensation – between Enugu-West and Greater Awgu?

I had actually expected Ike Ekweremadu to interrogate the Enugu zoning principle in relation to its ‘re-entry’ zone after the completion of the first cycle. For me, it would have been more principled for the distinguished Senator to argue that the second round of zoning could start from any senatorial zone. He might have had more people buy into his argument. He would still not have swayed the political establishment which, as the Igbo would say, has both the knife and the head of the chewing stick in matters like this, to tow his line of argument (Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is systems, due process man who will give back as he was given). But, it would have sounded more credible and less selfish.

But to disavow zoning by senatorial districts and settle for zoning by sub-linguistic groups (cultural zones), as Ekweremadu has advocated, speaks to an unhealthy promotion of self-interest in a polity that can do a lot more with altruism.

•Abugu, a veteran journalist and publisher, lives in Lagos

SOURCE: SUN NEWS

The Real Truth On Rev. Canon Sylvester Eboh And The Bishop Of The Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo

Combo image via 36NG/Ebube News

BY EMMANUEL LALA

Mrs. Eboh Ifeoma, the wife of the embattled Rev. Was never submissive to the husband ab initio.

Rev. Sylvester Eboh has never for one day hot or beat the wife.

Rev. Eboh tendered his voluntarily retirement/ resignation on the 21/12/2021

The wife ran away with the children to an undisclosed location at 3-3 Onitsha to a house being rented for her by Bishop Owen.

The problem between Rev. Lumen Kristi Eboh and his Bishop was as result of not making the latter (Bishop) and his wife trustees in God in Action Adoration Ministry.

The allegedly impregnating of a lady by Rev. Eboh was a concorted story yet to be proven by the law enforcement agencies in a bid to character assassinate the former.

Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo has threatened to deal with Rev. Eboh in a text message dated on Wednesday 22 Dec. 2021 at exactly 08:34 PM

The press briefing in Awka on the 10th of March, 2022 and the statements from the deputy Chancellor of the Diocese and the director of communications was done by the orders of Bishop Owen Nwokolo to bring Rev. Eboh to public ridicule.

PROLOGUE:

A Latin adage says, “Veritas Omnia Vincit”….. Truth conquers all things.

According to William Faulkner, and I quote “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world, would be this, it would change the earth”.

An English proverb which dated as far back at the 18th Century says “Give a dog a bad name and hang him”, hence if a person’s reputation has been besmirched, then he will suffer difficulty and hardship. Those who usually are in these fields do that for the purpose of preventing one’s advancement. The people on the other hand are apt to think poorly of others on weak evidence which is then reinforced by confirmation bias as people give more weight to evidence that supports a preconception than evidence which contradicts it. Most especially when a higher authority is involved; and has orchestrated a level of cult like followership to smear his subordinate in a pugnacious manner.

BACKGROUNG AND GROWING UP

Rev. Eboh was born into a Catholic family. During his secondary school days as a Junior Seminarian; he had to leave as a result of being the only son of his parents. He was never expelled or had issues or altercations with anyone as was being reported by agents hired to discredit him and his reputation. His mother’s sorrowful disposition to the vow of celibacy for Catholic Priests and seeing how the family lineage will be brought to an end; as the body of Christ is one and given his call to serve as a priest of God; he applied and was enrolled as an Anglican Seminarian. He is an Anglican now and would remain so.

EARLY MINISTRY AND ORDINATION

Rev. Eboh Sylvester Lumen-Christ was ordained on the 13th of June, 2010 by the retired emeritus Bishop of the Niger; Rt. Rev Ken Sandy Okeke. After his ordination, his ministry has been orchestrated by zeal for the Lord’s house and the salvation of souls. Fr. Eboh have labored tirelessly in the vineyard of God that he became the most sought priest whenever Revs are being posted to parishes owing to his good heart, priestly anointing, gift of healing, deliverance and his development strategies. He has built parsonages with money people dash him on daily basis; paid off debts of any new parishes he was posted to; and has through his God in Action Adoration Ministry; elevated the image and prestige of his diocese.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Canon .Eboh have in the past donated 78 plots of land to his Bishop; Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, the said land was given to the former; but he chose to gave it to his Lord Bishop; this was when the going was good. Rev’d.Eboh have equally made it mandatory to be given Rt. Rev. Owen a huge amount of money ranging from N500,000.00 to N1,000,000.00; in every programme he held. This does not exclude the numerous gifts he always gives to his Bishop.

Canon LumenChristi Eboh ,built School at St. Barnabas Oze Nkwelle Ezunaka.

He molded ten thousand blocks (10,000.00) at St. Barnabas Oze Nkwelle Ezunaka within a year for the new church building and hosted episcopal confirmation.

He brought the person that graded the Oze community pathway and also wrote to the government through the then Local Government Chairman, Hon. Uche Okafor (Wiper), who later intervened and included culverts in some pathways.

He built Parsonage (a church house provided for a member of the clergy) at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Odumodu Umunya from the foundation.

He finished the church building and dedicated it.

He hosted the “Women International Conference” at St. Paul’s Parish Umunya.

He gave pipe borne water to the Umunya community in Anambra State.

He stopped the fight and communal crises at Odumodu, Umunya and mediated for peace. Those benefitting from the crisis used it as an avenue to write petitions against him to the Bishop.

He built Christ Anglican Church Umudioka. He was the one that started the Parsonage and completed it within a year. Constructed toilets facilities.He however extended the Church building and remains till his resignation, the highest Church donor in every synod.

He stopped the people trying to grab the land of the Church at Umudioka, in their defeated state; they started writing petition against him to the Bishop.

He cleared the assessment debts from 2017 when he was posted to Christ Anglican Church, Umudioka in 2020; he equally cleared the debt/ loan borrowed by the Church from the Diocesan Bank for fencing of the Church building. All these debts were cleared by him through support from friends and well wishers; even when he was not on the pay role of the Diocese, in receiving monthly allowances, which the church treasurer can attests to with members of parochial church committee (PCC). He inherited no structure from the Church at Umudioka; no altar, no seats, no bishop throne; but through well meaning friends; those things where brought to the Church and structures fixed.

He has given 29 persons scholarships from Secondary School to University level. He has helped numerous people coming to his Adoration Ministry seeking for help; many have received instant healing and breakthrough through his ministry by the power of Almighty God.

He has built toilet facilities at Odumodu Umunya and Umudioka respectively.

During Covid-19, he shared huge amount of money to the less privileged and distributed food items to cushion the effect and hunger orchestrated by the deadly virus.

While he was at St. Paul’s Parish Umunya; he attracted a Borehole to the community through a Non- Governmental Organization to salvage the ever prevailing water scarcity facing the community.

PROBLEM WITH HIS BISHOP

The problem with the Bishop emanated when he told his Bishop that he can’t release the documents of the land owing to the revelation he received from God after prayers; when the former communicated to him via text message to submit the documents, or he will withdraw his license and suspend him as a priest of the Diocese on the Niger; if he fails to do so within seven (7) days.

The incident happened on the 2nd of December, 2021 at exactly 3:04pm. We can earlier deduce how the Bishop requested that Rev. Eboh must include him (Bishop) and his wife as trustees of God in Action Adoration Ministry Wonderland Ogidi. The Bishop further issued a threat to the Priest and I quote “You have drawn the battle line. It is a pity that you chose to bite the finger that fed you”. This led to the fracas between the Bishop and the spiritual director of God in Action Adoration Ministry; note that the refusal to concede to the pressures of the Bishop was divinely inspired in-order that the vision of the ministry won’t crumble; since it is a prayer group for both Anglicans and non-Anglicans alike; hence it is not another Church as reported by the Bishop’s spokesman, that he opened another Church, while as an Anglican Priest whereas God in Action Adoration Ministry is simply a “Prayer Fold”, hence it is the duty of every Priest called by God as his the Spirit of God leads to organize the fold of Christ for special prayers and liberation, most especially gifted ones, that God has placed on special assignment on earth; just as our faces varies, so is our talents and gifts from God.

ALLEGATIONS LEVELED AGAINST HIM AND REFUTATIONS

Rev. Canon Eboh was accused of misappropriation of Church funds. Well, the above assertion sounds like a fairly tale and a report issued just to add to other allegations in-order to malign his image; it was the same auditors of the Diocese that have held him in high esteem over the years for his financial diligence, management and track records in keeping accounts and maintaining financial discipline.

If Rev. Eboh is not stable in financial dealings, how was he able to achieve landmark projects for the Diocese?

Even when he sacrificed his salary for the good of the church and to lessen the financial burden of the Diocese.

Can such a person be termed to be misappropriating church funds?

Even when the said person has over the years cleared financial debts of parishes not due to him and maintained the financial obligations, levies etc due to him and till date is the highest donor in the Diocese with regard to clergies.

At the juncture, the public demands evidence of where and how the priest as alleged lavished and misappropriated church funds.

Rev. Canon Eboh was accused of sexual misconduct/ scandal. The representative of the Diocese went further to assert that the matter was in court whereas the matter was still at the police station; and the lady in question has schizophrenia

( a mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly), your guess is as good as mine; to me; I would rather allow the law to take its full course after investigation, since the law enforcement agencies are still on the matter; and the court to sentence the accused person when found guilty than coming to the media to propagate lies and rumours in-order to tarnish the image of the priest.

There are a lot of stories that aren’t adding up; can the public know why the Diocese hired a law firm to release a petition other than the accuser herself or member of her family? To many, this is a witch-hunt which is clearly motivated to bring the priest to his knees; but truth be told; no one can bring down someone God is helping.

No one, not even the Pope went through what Christ suffered; he was maligned and castigated even from those he regarded as friends; those he fed and those he healed of their ailments; but in all these, he chose to carry his cross on the thorny road to Calvary; We believe, just like Christ, Rev. Eboh is carrying his own cross, because without cross there is no salvation.

Jesus Christ never preached falsehood, he never segregated, he was not power intoxicated nor sought for vain glory; he opted for peace in all his dealings with men; and thus said “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Sons of God”.

In all things lawful and honest (Canonical Obedience), according to the Canon of the Anglican Church.

MARRIAGE ISSUES

Fr. Eboh loved his wife with his soul and body. His love for his wife, made him to seek the best for her in all things. He made sure that he graduated from the university, as he personally purchased form for her at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He saw the wife all through her first degree and masters and the PHD she is studying currently.

He has invested in her wife so much that it is visible to the blind and very audible to the deaf. For her personal development, he bought machines for the manufacturing of candles which was running smoothly. She has a supermarket which she has never for one day, related accounts to him as the head of the family or proceeds from the business; but notwithstanding, he always take care of her wife needs and that of her kids. Reports have it that people are envious of the love the Priest has for the wife. To ease her transportation stress and that of his kids; the priest bought 2 cars for the wife and till the date she absconded with his kids, has never for a day failed to service them or fuel them.

To my utmost conviction; Rev’d.Eboh loved his wife but was deeply burdened emotionally how his wife was being used to bring him down by agents very close to the Diocese. Canon Eboh have in most prayer sessions; prayed for the wife and he kept seeing evil revelations about his wife; while the spirit of God kept saying he should keep praying for her conversion and always treat her well; and to always turn the left cheek. He has given the wife much love to receive hate and acrimony in return owing to ill advisers and bad friends, who always fabricate lies against him and his ministry. At this juncture, we recall the case of Sampson and how Delilah was used to bring, the most feared man by the Philistines on his knees; what about Portiphar’s wife and how he sent innocent Joseph to jail for refusing to sleep with her and levelled allegation against a poor innocent young man, tarnished his image and brought him to public ridicule; we won’t forget that of Jezebeel who angrily swore to have Elijah killed; what about Gomer who was married to Prophet Hosea, she abandoned him in order to pursue relationships with multiple lovers. Her prodigal lifestyle eventually led to financial ruin and she was forced to sell herself into slavery to satisfy her debts. Despite her betrayal, Hosea rescued her by settling her debts and welcoming her home. A prodigal wife who learned the meaning of true love, her story served as a lived-out-parable, poignantly expressing God’s love for a people who had committed spiritual adultery by worshiping multiple gods.

What about Lot’s wife who lived in Sodom, a city of legendary wickedness. When an angel told Lot and his family: “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back…,” she ignored the warning and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot’s wife was probably guilty of more than a fateful glance backward. Most likely she abandoned her fleeing family in order to return to the city, thus sharing in its destruction.

What about Herodias, the granddaughter of Herod the Great, she married two of her uncles, Herod Philip I and Herod Antipas. An ambitious and ruthless woman, she hated John the Baptist for thundering against her marriage to Herod Antipas, whom she had married after divorcing his half-brother Philip. John the Baptist was later beheaded.

What about Athaliah who was the daughter of Ahab and probably also of Jezebel, the Bible’s wickedest queen. Married to the King of Judah, she grew paranoid after his death, murdering her grandchildren in order to secure the throne. Thanks to a conspiracy, this ruthless queen was finally overthrown and executed just outside the temple in Jerusalem.

We aren’t forgetting the first mother of creation, Eve, who made the fatal-for-everyone mistake of listening to the serpent’s lie that God wasn’t telling the truth about the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. After taking a bite, she offered it to Adam and the two were ejected from paradise. These history and so many others come to mind while unravelling women as a creature. This is why we must owe it as a duty to always pray for families considering the seed of discords Satan though human elements continues to plant in families and homes. Though we have negative elements; we must also take into considerations virtuous women like Hannah, Esther, Deborah, Rachel, Elizabeth, Ruth, Mary Mother of Jesus etc, and why women who value their homes must always strive to be like them.

Readers and commentators continue to ask why the Church never intervened in Rev. Eboh’s marriage instabilities but went to the media to lay false accusations on him, on matters bothering on domestic violence; which were cheap propaganda to discredit the latter whose only crime was to love his wife and his family excessively; while the agents of the Diocese where using the loopholes to further instigate crisis on the marriage; making his wife not to be submissive to the husband, and always does things to discredit the man he once claimed that he loves and adores so much; and pledged to be with him “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”. Hence, the only criteria for dissolution of marriage according to the Bible are Infidelity, threat to life and Death. Fr. Eboh has always been occupied with both Church activities and ministry activities; that one begin to wonder where all the lies reported by the Spokesman of the Bishop emanated from, that his wife left him because of his sexual misconduct and infidelity, whereas during the course of investigations; the Priest has been battling with moles and paid side-trackers from his traducers and enemies of the good works he is doing in the lord’s vineyard; to use the prospects of marriage to manipulate him and drag his name in the mud.

It is on record that Fr. Eboh have always ignored his wife’s nonchalant attitude and bossy nature; investigations equally revealed how the wife of the Rev. has always had quarrels with the workers in the adoration ministry; she has chased the first, second, and third secretary of the Rev. away from working for the Priest out of malicious rumours; that the priest is having illicit sexual affairs with them; trouble emanated when the Priest told her enough in causing havoc in the ministry and allow the voluntary workers do the work of God. She started asserting that the husband is dating his current secretary. Even when the news of how she has been chasing away and instilling fear on church workers have remain object of topic and caricature; well, in life, one should never pray to have a wife that he cannot control; we equally observed the trending saga between the ex first lady of Anambra and how she called a fellow lady ashawo in public during the swearing in of Governor Charles Soludo; if not the camera; no one will believe that the wife of the former Governor can be so erratic and toxic; hence, what about the wife of the Rev., who leave the church at her whims and caprices, without the husband’s notice, makes calls inside cars and stays in the church field for hours, lest the husband hears the discussion,most times sleep outside his matrimonial home without the consent of the husband, and she will start shouting on top of her voices when the Priest tries to caution her on her ways which is not good for the image of the family.

A report has it that the wife secretly has a shop at main market where she sells babies clothes without the consent of the husband. In the year 2014, she bought a land at 3-3 Onitsha, with the name of her sister; when the incident was leaked to the knowledge of her husband, she hurriedly said, she took a loan from their meeting at Nnobi to purchase the land. One could decipher the character of the woman married to Rev. Eboh, I believe everyone has instinct and intellect to decipher situations of this magnitude. Despite all these, the priest was undeterred in loving his wife and kids and remains till date, the greatest supporter of his wife; even in all this travails, the priest sends them money on weekly basis for their feeding and upkeep. The wife has equally attacked and blocked people trying to advise her on social media on the dangerous path she is threading to destroy her family, and being used by the Diocese to bring his husband down, and close his ministry.

REPORTS FROM WORKERS AT GOD IN ACTION ADORATION MINISTRY

Mr. Chukwuemeka Omejieke, a member and a worker at the adoration ministry for more than four years said that he knew Fr. Eboh while he was still at Ozeh in Nkwelle Ezunaka, Anambra State and later became his worker owing to what God has been using him to do in the life of the people. “I have never seen any misbehaviour, immorality, fault and mismanagement is his Ministry”. “He is the type that trust people and take them like his own self”. “He is a man, I can comfortably stand with at any point in time”, he concluded.

He further narrated how the Rev. got a call from his Bishop last year, during a counselling session at the Adoration Ministry, to hand over this property, “God in Action Adoration Ministry” Wonderland, Ogidi. According to him, they discussed it for over three hours and the Rev. told his Bishop that he will pray over it and seek God’s direction on the matter; that he will revert back in a short period after his prayers. The Rev. after prayers told the Bishop that the revelations he received from God was not in line with his (Bishop) decision to submit the said property. He further said that the Bishop gave him 7 days to submit the documents of his Adoration Ministry Ground/ land to him or have him to contend with. The Bishop further threatened him on voice call that the battle line has been drawn. He further narrated the sufferings of the Priest and his zealous efforts towards the development of the Church and any where he was posted.

“To the best of my knowledge, the Rev. has never received any allowances from the Diocese and he has not withdrew any voluntarily support due to the Church in any way; he is very loyal to his Bishop but the new development, to me is traceable to those who wants to bring Rev. Eboh down owing to his spiritual gifts and what God uses him to do in the society with regard to liberating people from bondage irrespective of your Christian background”, he concluded.

Another worker in the Church, who happens to be the sales representative of the wife, narrated her experience with the wife of the Rev.

According to her; she stays in the canteen at the Church and handles the sales of Candle, Liberation Candle, olive oil etc and has never for a day, made account to her husband. She also said that the wife always zooms off whenever a particular number calls her; she will leave to a distant location in the church to answer the call and would stay 3-4 hours on the phone call; whenever she is done with the call, she will tell her to go and prepare food for her husband and wash the dishes and other chores in the house. “The wife of the Rev. find it difficult staying at the house and the shop; she only comes to collect money of items sold; and also lags behind in taking care of the kids”, she concluded. “As someone who is always at the Church; I have never seen where the Rev. has beaten or harassed his wife”, she asserted.

“It was on the 28th of December, 2022, that Rev. Eboh was chased out of the Parish at Umudioka like a common criminal; the Bishop called Police, the Diocesan security and some thugs to threw his things out of the parish and further malign his character”, she concluded.

Peace Nwuda another worker in the church narrated the ugly incident that took place at Christ Anglican Church Umudioka on the 28th day of December, 2022; she said “When arrangement of vehicle was being made for the Rev. and his family to move out from the parish, the wife told her that two bus will be okay to convey their luggages, but she was surprised when the vehicle arrived; the wife started parking her belongings and that of the kids on a separate bus”, she equally noted with dismay how the wife of the Rev. joined the attackers of the husband to be saying evil things against the husband, even when she is still trying to get where the Rev. has gone wrong. Is it from purchasing her form and saw her through Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; equally saw her through her PGD and Masters; and also the PHD she enrolled currently, yet she was busy fighting her husband and calling him names. She went further to say how the Rev.’s wife shunned everybody who advised her on the part she was threading to destroy her home; to avoid it; that those people who are backing her will eventually lead her astray.

Nnaji Ebere, a worker and friend to the wife of the Rev. When contacted; said that the wife of the Rev., does not like who tells her the truth. She has always been on the habit of accusing her husband falsely on sexual immorality yet without any iota of proof but mare speculations owing to bad eggs around her who can’t stop in their bid to destroy her home and everything her husband has laboured for; she narrated how her best friend made her an enemy for telling her to protect her home at all cost and never giver outsiders chance to come and break her family due to negative and false rumours.

SUSPENSION AND DISMISSAL BY THE DIOCESE

Rev. LumenKristi Eboh turned in his voluntarily retirement otherwise resignation as a priest of the diocese on the Niger on the 21st of December, 2021. To set the records straight, he was never suspended before he tendered his resignation, but the Bishop directed that he be issued a letter of suspension, which was backdated to 20th December, 2021 to make it look like he resigned because of the suspension; the said letter was brought to him by one Venerable Ofoegbu Josiah in the presence of the Parish committee, security men and police officers on 24th December, 2021. I wonder if any person in his or her right senses would write resignation letter after being issued a sack letter from his or her employer. Hence, need to scrutinize the whole scenario and come to a logical conclusion devoid of fallacy.

It was the same Diocese that wrote to Rev. Eboh as the Vicar of Christ Township Anglican Church, Umudioka on the 23rd of December, 2021 under the instruction of Bishop Owen Nwokolo, as the letter was signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, directing him to hand over to Bishop Owen Nwokolo, documents of the land acquired by his prayer ministry on the basis that there was a petition against him with regard.

QUALITIES EVIDENT IN THE LIFE OF REV. EBOH

Anyone who knows Rev. Eboh would attest to his simplicity, humility and respect for people. He has always greeted anyone that calls him on phone call with, Good day sir, Good day ma, Good evening sir, Good evening ma, irrespective of social status, age and doctrine of the caller. He always returns his calls and pick his calls when called on phone, even amidst large crowds or numbers always in queue to see him during consultations; he usually stop to pray for the people who are far and couldn’t make it to the prayer ground. He is a priest, one can boldly say; that he is accessible and doesn’t discriminate irrespective of the position of the caller in the society.

Rev. Eboh has a strong personal relationship with God evidenced by prayer. He loves God and the Church. This is evident in his numerous development strides and achievements within a short period. He has great interest in serving people. He has ability to work with others. He has great respect for other people even evident on how he relates with his subordinates. He is open to different races, ethnic groups, cultures, religious doctrines and has good social skills; above all, he has the capacity and desire to learn and to serve God through the salvation of souls and liberation of mankind. Rev. Eboh is a humanitarian who have contributed so much for the human race through his vast intervention in sustainable communities, he has mediated for peace on several communal crisis. He has chosen to go hungry that his brothers and sisters might eat. His acts during the dreaded Covid-19 will remain indelible in the hearts of the populace as he shared money and food items amounting in millions of naira to salvage the hunger in the land as brought about by COVID-19 lockdown. Fr. Eboh through his priestly ministry and through the power of God have liberated so many families from the shackles of the enemy and evil spirits, so many testimonies have been attributed to his bended knees to God to intervene in the llives of Christians who always flood the adoration ground in millions.

Rev. Eboh have equally supported the Church in a greater way and have through his numerous interventions brought so much repute to the Diocese of the Niger. This is a man, one would pray to have encounter with; and not join the media brouhaha that is orchestrated by envy, jealousy and rancour. Just like G.J Gurdjieff would say “ I ask you to believe nothing, that you cannot verify for yourself”. Hence the need to scrutinize every information we read online and discern the voice speaking, and to take into cognizance why rumours spread faster than truth.

DOXOLOGY

In the words of Radhanath Swami “Religion is meant to teach us true spiritual human character. It is meant for self-transformation. It is meant to transform anxiety into peace, arrogance into humility, envy into compassion, to awaken the pure soul in man and his love for the Source, which is God’’. The centre of religion is “Love”. Any religion that doesn’t preach love stands to be questioned. Even Christ said that we should love Him, love our neighbour as our self; but what we witness in today’s Christianity is directly the opposite; that people have left the injunctions of God and continue to emphasize on doctrines, which have rather caused disunity amongst us as a body of Christ.

I call on well meaning Nigerians, Christians and ndi Igbo in general to look keenly on this matter and never resort to the terms “Giving a dog a bad name; in order to hang it”

The Priest has tendered his resignation, the Diocese of the Niger should accept it in good faith and stop further altercation and image laundering of the former, which to many; is a clear sign of witch hunt. They should however stop troubling the priest, in whatever way and give peace a chance.

To be continued!

Comprehensive report from the Editor in Chief of Ebube News

Email: ebubenews247@gmail.com
The Real