Enough of crisis in FMC

Editorial

A ceasefire in FMC is a must now. That's our firm editorial stand this week. And we urge all to back this stand and help make it happen.

Relating with the opposite sex and marital decisions

A relationship is a cordial association with somebody for some specific purposes.  It could involve sharing ideas, experiences and possessions.  People relate when they have common projects to take together.

Anglican Synod tells FG to act fast, says Nigerians are suffering

The Anglican Church, Ijumu Diocese in Kogi State has called on the Federal government to stop paying lip service to development and show sincere commitment to its promises to diversify economy, boost agriculture and provide modern tools that will make working enjoyable and easy.

Man loses court case for refusing to make a cake with the phrase “Support Gay Marriage.”

 Amy and Daniel McArthur of the Ashers Baking Company. Photograph: Liam McBurney

The Court of Appeal in Belfast has ruled against the owners of a bakery who appealed their case after they were accused of discrimination for refusing to make a cake with the phrase “Support Gay Marriage.”

CJN pleads for judiciary

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has called on Nigerians not to lose faith and confidence in the Nigerian jCJN pleads  for judiciaryudiciary.

Egbu Diocesan Synod kicks off Thursday at Eziobodo

 

The St. Mark's Anglican Church, Eziobodo Ihiagwa Archdeaconry in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, will Thursday, host the Third Session of the Seventh Synod  of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Owerri, the Chairman of the 2016 Synod Planning Committee, Sir Osita Igwilo, said that the four-day convocation of delegates from within the diocese as well as invitees from outside, kicks off on Thursday, November 3, with courtesy visits to the traditional rulers of Eziobodo and Ezi-Okele,  Eze Lucky Okoro, and  Eze Richard Osuji, respectively. 

The theme of the synod, according to him is “The fourth Man in the furnace (Dan 3:25) – X-raying the saving power of God in every situation and circumstances: The experience of the three Hebrew Men”.

He said that the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, will deliver his charge and presidential address on Friday while Chief Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation, will deliver the Synod lecture on Saturday. 

Other events include awards of honour after which the synod would be rounded off on Sunday, Nov. 6, with a thanksgiving service and fund raising activities for the diocesan projects.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Synod Planning Committee, Sir Igwilo, has led a delegation of the Committee to the palace of the Traditional ruler of Eziobodo autonomous Community, Eze Lucky Okoro.  He said the delegation was in the community to appraise their level of preparedness to host the 2016 synod. 

In his brief response the traditional rule, Eze Okoro commended the Diocese for rotating synod hosting rights among the 15 Archdeaconries in the Diocese, thus making it go round the parishes in the Diocese. Eze Okoro said this arrangement has become a challenge to the host parishes, giving rise for expansion and development of the Church stations in benefiting areas. 

He explained that though the Community has not hosted synod before he assured the delegates that they were doing everything possible to make a success of the 2016 synod, stressing that the community was putting in place all necessary logistics for a hitch free synod. 

On the question of access  road to the synod venue, Eze Okoro said the Imo State government and the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) management have been approached and were well disposed to assist, he said.

Cabal behind FMC protest?

Cabal behind  FMC protest?

The recent protests embarked upon by some members of the Joint Health Services Union of Nigeria, (JOHESU) following the re-instatement of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. (Mrs) Angela Uwakwem, may have been the handiwork of a cabal who do not wish the hospital well.

The indication emerged following Christian Voice investigation which showed that majority of the workers are against the ongoing agitation for the removal of Dr. Angela Uwakwem.

Many of the workers believe that Dr. Uwakwem had done more than  any other Medical Director in the FMC in repositioning the hospital for efficient healthcare delivery.

They saw no genuine reason for anyone to treat her this way after all her efforts. These workers described Dr. Uwakwem as a highly principled woman who is committed to the transformation of FMC to a great healthcare delivery institution and wondered why she is being persecuted.

They called on those championing the protests to sheathe their swords and embrace peace so as to reduce the suffering of the patients.

Dr. Uwakwem had earlier noted that the protesters were doing much harm to Imo people and Nigerian in general as they had chosen to abandon their primary responsibility of saving lives for selfish and political purposes. 

She said, in an interaction with newsmen, that authorities of Federal Ministry of Health and the federal government decided to re-instate her after acknowledging the good work she has done at FMC Owerri .

 Uwakwem told newsmen that she was being persecuted for her uprightness and not allowing people to loot the centre.

She regretted why some members of her staff she had protected are now calling for her head hiding under JOHESU not minding the glaring developmental strides she spear-headed that brought innovation and real change in the hospital to enviable heights.

JOHESU, Southern Nigeria zone had, on Tuesday, converged in Owerri to protest the recall of Dr Uwakwem, claiming that the reinstatement was against public /civil service rule. It directed its members to embark on indefinite strike. 

The union alleged that there were revelations of 18-count charges against Dr. Uwakwem before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), adding that the charges should have been discharged before her reinstatement.

He alleged that Dr. Uwakwem was to appear before the EFCC to face the charges bothering on financial misappropriation on October 11, 2016 but that the case was adjourned to November 15, 2016, owing to the absence of the presiding judge.

Meanwhile there are hints that the federal government may axe staff of the hospital that have refused to report to work following Dr Uwakwem's recent re-instatement as the government is reported to have already issued a press release warning such staff on the consequences of their action.

Our correspondent reports that stern-looking security operatives have taken over the premises to forestall any restiveness among some members of staff that are opposed to the CMD's reinstatement.