Obi of Onitsha Calls for Synergy Between Religious, Community Leaders to Fight Injustice, Promote Peace

By Praise Chinecherem

Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe has urged the church and communities to work together to fight injustice and inequalities.

He stressed the need for them to strive to promote peace and societal development.

Achebe spoke while hosting a college of bishops who were in his palace as part of activities to mark the 160th celebration of the consecration of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first Bishop on the Niger.

The monarch recalled the story of how Bishop Crowther was received in Onitsha by the then Igwe Akazua and given a site where the Niger Mission started.

“The church and communities must work together to fight injustice and inequalities and strive to promote peace and societal development,” he added.

Earlier, Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba lauded the Obi for accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ brought by the late Crowther and his co-missionaries, who came to Onitsha 160 years ago, and brought light to the community.

Ndukuba, represented by Most Revd Emmanuel Egbunu of the Lokoja Diocese expressed joy that the gospel and other progress achieved by the Diocese were still changing lives and society to date.

In his remarks, Archbishop, Province on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexandar Ibezim appealed to the traditional ruler to throw his weight behind the church.

He stressed that the church currently needed greater support from the community to fulfil its mission of showing the light of the message of Christ to society.

While presenting a portrait to Igwe Achebe to mark the visit, the host bishop, Rt Revd Owen Nwokolo of the Diocese on the Niger said the event was to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the late Ajayi Crowther to bring the message of salvation to Onitsha and people of the Diocese.

“The Niger Diocese is advancing the frontiers of faith in Christ Jesus through evangelism and other activities that have changed the lives of the people of Onitsha.

“We acknowledge the support of the Onitsha community towards the work of evangelism,” he added.

Earlier at the All Saints Cathedral field was march past, Gideon march by groups and organizations in the churches as well as presentation of a historic drama on how the missionaries came to Onitsha, through canoe and brought the gospel to the land of Onitsha and the subsequent abolition of culture that forbids twins and other obnoxious practices.