By Praise Chinecherem
Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev’d Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim has eulogized fathers for their roles in their homes and society at large.
He urged them to be courageous and actionable to achieve what heaven has ordained them to achieve.
Speaking during the Father’s Sunday Service at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Awka, Anambra State, the prelate regretted increasing cases of deaths ocasioned by high blood pressure and economic hardship.
He said: “We are greatful to God for giving us the strength, patience and endurance to survive because life itself is a gift from God. This year has been remarkable and witnessed election and the coming of a new government.
“To the men, you are like Joshua. The time of Moses has gone. All the problems and challenges you have faced are gone.
Look forward to the future because God is saying ” I’m the owner of the future,” and has empowered you to possess your possession.
“Because God told Joshua to be courageous, I want father’s to be courageous in their faith and service to Christ an humanity. This is the time that many men are losing hope. Some don’t even believe that God can answer prayers.
“We must not be stagnant because a stagnant family is a deprived family and a satanic arrow. Stagnant fathers does not achieve anything. That is why we as fathers must embrace courage. It is a time for renewing our strength to be actionable.
“Nowadays, people die like cockroaches, sleep but do not wake up, suffer from high blood pressure and others, but God did not create us like that. He created us to be strong and courageous to achieve what heaven has ordained us to achieve.”
Earlier in a sermon, Rev’d Canon Onyeka Egwuonwu, admonished fathers to dissociate from secret societies, to avert attracting God’s anger and wrath to their homes.
While calling on fathers to work to attract the grace and blessings of God, Egwuonwu urged those with irresponsible characters to renew themselves and their covenants with God for the blessings of Christ to dwell in their families.
Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, while felicitating with fathers on their day, encouraged the church to support the State government through prayers in its drive to building the state to a prosperous home.
The Vicar of the Church of Holy Spirit, Ven. Rex Kanu urged homes without a father to look unto Jesus as their father. He also advised fathers themselves to look up to God to be able to carry their cross and that of the society.
Chairman Anambra State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Chairman 2023 father’s Sunday Organizing Committee, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu while addressing journalists said today is a day to celebrate fathers as pillars of the society. He said father’s guidance, directions, inputs have been very beneficial to the society.
On his part, Chairman Christian Men’s Fellowship, Dr Raymond Ofor encouraged all fathers to be role models and ensure that their children and other’s children are taken care of for the sake of the church and the society.
The service featured presentation of ambassadorial awards to seven men for their support to the work of God and growth of the church in the Anglican Communion.
The awardees were Kenechukwu Ochuba, Ifeanyi Kenechukwu Chigbo, Evang Chukwuebuka Ogunta, Engr Ejikeme Ugochukwu Umeokafor, Ifeanyi Ekwealor, Engr Emeka Okafor, and Hon Peter Onyejegbu.
