AnambraWest Diocese: Synod Of Niger Ends At Aguleri With Call For Stiffer Penalties Against Rapists

The first session of the fourth synod of the Diocese of Niger West has ended with a call on the federal government to map out stiffer penalty against rapists in the country.

The Bishop of the Diocese, Right Reverend Johnson Ekwe made the call during the synod thanksgiving service held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Aguleri, Anambra East.

Njideka Okoye of our editorial desk was there and reports that Bishop Ekwe who regretted that many people are living in fear as some farmers no longer go to their farms due to fear of loosing their life or being raped, urged the federal government not to pay lip service to the trending issue of rape and terrorism but should rise to the challenge of safeguarding the people.

Bishop Ekwe called for total repentance, and urged people to embrace Christ and righteousness as righteousness he said exults a nation, stressing the need for people to enthrone the Majesty of God in their life and in whatever they do for peace to reign and as well to make heaven at last.

Also speaking, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Premus Odili who spoke through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on project monitoring, Barrister Francis Okeke expressed satisfaction over the existing cordial relationship between the church and the state government which he said is yielding much fruit and called for its sustenance.

He maintained that the state government is doing everything within its power to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state, calling on the state residents to ensure they keep all WHO and government’s preventive measures against the virus to avoid its further spread assuring state government commitment towards security of life of the people.

Earlier in a sermon, a guest preacher, at the Synod thanksgiving service, Venerable Mathias Okpala charged people to enthrone the supremacy of God in their daily endeavors, reminding them that God is in control of the universe and urged Christians not to waiver in their faith in God citing the biblical Shedrack, Meshark and Abednego as well as David who put their trust in God and were not disappointed.

In their separate remarks, the clerical Synod Secretary of the Diocese, Ven. Charles Chukwurah, the chairman synod Central Organizing Committee, Sir Ferdinand Orauno and his local organizing committee counterpart, Reverend Canon Kenneth Aniukwu thanked God for the success of the synod, urging delegates to enthrone the Majesty of God in whatever they do for their spiritual growth, that of the church and for the development of the society.

Others who spoke at the event were the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Michael Idigo, the vicar of the host church, Ven. Akachukwu Ikedilo and Lady Grace Nebeife among others.
The synod thanksgiving service featured cutting of synod cake, and thanksgiving.