Amichi Synod begins this Thursday, as Bishop Ikeakor encourages Soludo

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

The second session of the Fifth synod of the diocese of Amichi, Anglican Communion begins on Thursday, 2nd June, 2022 at St Peter’s Anglican Church Umudim,Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra state.

The Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor in a press briefing to announce the synod called on the Anambra state Governor, Professor Charles Soludo to be strong and courageous as his administration battles insecurity and criminality in the area.

Bishop Ikeakor who spoke after inspection of St Peter’s Anglican Church Umudim,Amichi,venue of the synod of the diocese, expressed hope that the security challenges in the state will soon be a thing of the past.

Bishop Ikeakor while encouraging Governor Soludo not to be disillusioned, even as his administration approaches the first 100 days in office assured him of the support of the Church.He called on the Governor to give priority attention to road construction across the state and ensuring that contracts are awarded to competent construction firms and not party loyalists.

Speaking on the theme of the forthcoming second session of the fifth synod: “STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS IN THE WORLD: OUR CHRISTIAN STATUS” taken from the book of first Peter 2:9-12,Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor decried the rate at which worldly cultures have infiltrated and corrupted the church even as he observed the disheartening return to Paganism by Christians. He noted that the theme of the synod was prayerfully chosen to reawaken the consciousness of Christians to their heavenly citizenship and encourage them to be committed to Godliness as lights in this dark world despite the challenges facing them.The prelate condemned contradictory lifestyles of some preachers and charged them to desist from misleading worshippers.

On the giant strides of the diocese in Evangelism, Education, Agriculture and Healthcare,the Anglican Bishop of Amichi attributed it to God’s help and support of clergy and laity of the diocese. He remarked that the School of Midwifery of the Diocesan College of Nursing Sciences has been equipped with ultramodern administrative buildings and state of the art medical equipment.Also the diocesan seminary, hospital,integrated farms and ICT center have witnessed facility and equipment upgrades in line with best practices.

The Bishop expressed sadness with the rising spate of insecurity, unemployment,harsh economy, dwindling health and education standards in the country.He called for a speedy resolution to the ASUU and Federal Government face off in the interest of Nigerian University students.

Speaking on the 2023 general election,Bishop ikeakor advised Nigerians to shun financial and material inducement and vote correctly.

The Anglican Bishop of Amichi was accompanied by members of the synod planning committee during the inspection visit.The second session of the fifth synod of the diocese will kick off on Thursday second June 2022.Highlights of the synod will include presentation of the presidential address, fundraising for diocesan projects,synod Thanksgiving among others.

Speaking further, Bishop Ikeakor described the level of insecurity and other criminalities in Nigeria as enough to place the country next to Afghanistan in Central Asia.

He said Nigeria is already at the verge of a failed State , adding that naira has failed, education system in shambles, health sector devastated and the political system not promising.

The Bishop lamented that despite rising cases of security challenges currently ravaging the country, especially in the South East, politicians had been busy strategizing for the next elections while people were being killed every day.

His words: “Our health system is in a sorry state. There are no more laboratories to teach physical science students practicals at higher institutions, no well equipped governement hospitals, political leaders travel overseas for medical tourism. Politicians have destroyed the nation.

“Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike but the politicians are only interested in the next election. I think the only remedy is when the youth and other members of society decide to vote into power credible leaders.

“ASUU is part of the nation’s problem because their members conduct elections that bring those political leaders into office. Those Professors are used to conduct elections. Why can’t they say no from being used in future elections, ” the Bishop queried.

Bishop Ikeakor said many distinguished personalities especially Archbishops, Bishops, the laity, people from governement quarters and the business world would grace the event.

The Bishop said that the Diocese had made significant progress in health, infrastructure, education, agriculture and social welfare.

“Our seminary was established in 2021. It was a multi-million naira project aimed at having a standard institution. One of the greatest challenges we had was that we did not have a befitting chapel for the seminary. Within last and this year, we have succeeded in building a standard and state-of-the-art chapel for that seminary.

“Within this period we started our College of Nursing Science and after accreditation we went for School of Midwifery with massive administrative and lecture halls. We started it and to the glory of God we have completed and fully equipped it with a high commendation with an accreditation team, “the Bishop recounted.

He said there had been a medical mission which was organized at the Diocesan hospital where1,916 patients with various ailments were attended to. He said these included those who had eye problems that received surgery at the mission hospital now elevated with modern equipment and a theatre that could take care of any manner of eye surgery.

The Bishop also said the Diocese had set up an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre that had a high standard and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He equally mentioned the mission’s water factory which he said was powering so high.