As schools in Imo State reopen for the current session, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Okorafor, has bemoaned the infrastructural decay in the educational sector of the state.
The bishop lamented the situation where some pupils still study under trees, describing it as not acceptable in a state that prides itself as the centre for free education.
Bishop Okorafor, who made the remarks during a church service at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Obibiezena, in Owerri North LGA, urged the state government to holistically address the infrastructural inadequacies in the schools now that the pupils were resuming classes.
He advised parents to be conscious of the safety of their children.
The prelate also urged the state government to take seriously the quality of roads it was building for the state, wondering why roads constructed only about a year ago were already failing.
He appealed for the repair of Owerri- Mbaise road, saying that the state could do it and approach the Federal Government, whose responsibility it is, for refund.
He also urged the government to consider rehabilitating the Naze/ Uratta ring road and other failed roads in the state.
Bishop Okorafor thanked the congregation for the support to their Archdeacon and Vicar, Ven. Emmanuel Olewuezi, the wife, Mrs Dr.Ngozi Olewuezi and the Church workers in the parish. He said he was impressed by the cordiality amongst the Church workers and advised that it should be sustained.
While cautioning against divisions and gang ups in the Church, he stressed that no progress and development are ever witnessed in an atmosphere of crisis. He also warned that nobody owns the Church and advised that they should allow the Church of God to flow freely. The Bishop who also flayed those faithful in diaspora who do not identify with their home Churches commended the few that were delighted in truly associating and seeing to the growth of their home Churches.
He, however, bemoaned the habit of lateness amongst the Anglican faithful, stressing that everything done in the Church from inception of the service has its significance, adding that coming after the absolution has been taken was capable of affecting them in their Christian life.
Chaplain of the Bishop, Rev. Progress Okoroafor who preached the sermon at the service, urged Christians to show compassion and pity on the less privileged in their midst. Taking his text from Luke chapter 16 verse 21 which centered on the case of the rich man and Lazarus, said they should always be conscious of the fact that there is something someone could do for them. He posited that they may have everything, live in luxury but without Christ in their lives, their riches meant nothing.
Rev Okoroafor advised that if God has blessed them and riches smile at them, they should use their position to better the lots of others, seeing it as a privilege to extend such helping hands. He also counseled the poor to aspire to embrace Jesus Christ else they would not rest in the bosom of Abraham like Lazarus, but suffer affliction a second time. Every faithful, he also admonished to turn away from evil deeds, whether rich or poor for them to be heaven worthy.
(c) Christian Voice Newspaper
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