Nigeria is a hypocritical and sick nation.
This is a damning observation on the state of the nation handed down by the wife of the Anglican Bishop of Isi Mbano Diocese, Mrs. Godiva Ukanwa, while delivering her Presidential Address at the 15th biennial Mothers' Union Conference of the Women's Ministry of the Diocese held recently at St. Peter's Anglican Church Amaraku/Umuneke Archdeaconry.
The prelate's wife, however, said that the nation hopes on Christians to spearhead the needed change and “bring people out of darkness into God's marvelous light”.
Her verdict on the action came after considering countless atrocities happening in the country “despite all the millions of churches and claims of religious faith in the nation”.
Mrs. Ukanwa listed the “myriads of man's inhumanity to man” to include Boko Haram, kidnapping, incessant rape of women, child marriages herdsman menace, marital unfaithfulness, child and women trafficking, among others.
Her definite message to Christians was that “we are the ones to whom He (God) has entrusted the life-changing gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ”, and therefore Christians should not sit back and watch negative events take their toll on the country.
Insisting that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can make a hardened criminal surrender his weapons and live righteously, the Bishop's wife prayed God to give Christians the grace to effect change where necessary.
“Jesus said we're the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). Salt preserves. It forestalls or prevents decadence, while light gives direction.”
She asserted that Christians should prepare to change the nation politically, economically, spiritually and educationally.
On the them of the conference which is 'identified by True Heart, Jeremiah 32:39) Mrs. Ukanwa, known widely as Nnebuihe, she recalled that God told Jeremiah that the nation of Israel had become incorrigibly wicked while they acted unfaithfully towards the Lord of their forefathers.
She observed that God later pronounces that “I will give them singleness of heart and action so that they will fear me”, adding that singleness of heart and action indicates unanimity and one accord in seeking God, devoid of hypocrisy.
According to her, the true heart is identifiable by acts worthy of hope, relationship with fellow Christians based on godly principles, faithfully endurance of suffering and exerting and trusting in the prophetic word.
Also, they need to guard against false teachers and other corrupt persons, as well as against presumption.
The conference, which featured awards and bible expositions, among others, was rounded off last Sunday with a thanksgiving service.
Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godson Ukanwa PhD, (JP) who preached the sermon at the service called for humility among Christians, as well as exemplary lives.
He advised women to stop patronsing bogus men of God and praised his wife for a successful conference.
He also praised the Archdeacon, Ven, Loveday Anyanwu, and his wife as well as the church workers, the LOC Chairman Dr. Owuamanam, Ven. Engr. Godson Onukwugha, Mr. Ukachukwu Nwokoro, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri and Sir Barr. Emma Nwosu, the traditional ruler.
Sir Prof. and Lady Dr. Samuel C.O. Ezeji were bestowed with the Best Couple of 2017 conference award as they have remained in marriage for 41 years. Seven women got the Nneoma award.
(c) Christian voice newspaper
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