The recent events witnessed in Owerri Metropolis, especially the Eke Ukwu Market saga, has been blamed on bad leadership, and bad followership.
Making the assertion in his sermon captioned: "In kneeling we Triumph! Our God Reigns", at the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) Owerri last Sunday, the Senior Chaplain to the Anglican Bishop of Owerri, Reverend Canon Ogechi Ofurum, traced the ugly events to the sins of both the leaders and those that are being led.
Canon Ofurum then asked: "In the face of confusion, chaos and apparent darkness, glaringly existing in Imo State especially in Owerri, where are we heading to?".
He expressed a strong belief that, evil doers are now multiplying astronomically within the rank and file of those governing, as well as those being governed, and called on everybody, to confess their sins, repent, and turn back to God in penitence, stressing severally, that "sin and worship are incompatible".
Drawing his text from Daniel 9:1-23; II Corinthians 10:3-7, he noted that the situation of things (in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, and the world) today, calls for constant prayer by men and women who would be able to stand in the gaps, interceding, citing people like our Savior Jesus, Moses, Esther, Daniel and Paul, all of whose names are contained in the Holy Scriptures.
The Bishop's Senior Chaplain, called on Christians in Owerri and beyond, to understand the times in which we are, and to pray and fast for a change, and God's sovereign intervention. Let us beckon on God, he said, and acknowledge that we have sinned, adding that God is looking for people who are ready to kneel and pray to Him, to save His people, thereby raising the hope that, since He has done it before, He will do it again.
The Anglican Clergyman, lambasted elder statesmen, political juggernauts, and all who are occupying positions of authority in all spheres of life in Nigeria, who often say: "The Youths are Leaders of Tomorrow”, yet they themselves would not want to vacate their positions or offices, when they are supposed to do so, as many of them, he posited, shamelessly re-write their ages in order to remain in such positions, consequently causing this question to be asked: "when will the youths emerge as leaders?"
The man of God admonished that, if we refuse to repent and pray to God, the harsh and sour situation prevailing in Nigeria, especially in Owerri, would continue until we take the position and stand of the likes of Esther, Daniel, Moses etc whom, he said, stood the gap for the people.
Highlight of the service was the announcement by Chief (Sir) E.C. Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba, that he is now 75 years old. The Church prayed for him and wished him many more years and good life.
(c) Christian voice newspaper
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