Archbishop Ibezim Asks FG, Security Chiefs to Rescue Kidnapped Schoolchildren

By Emeka Odogwu

The Archbishop, Province of the Niger & Bishop, Diocese of Awka, Most Rev’d Dr Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has asked the Federal Government and all the security chiefs in the country to ensure the kidnapped schoolchildren and their teachers across the country are freed.

There were incidents of kidnapping of school children and their teachers in Oyo, Kwara and Borno States, among others. He appealed for all hands to be on deck to rescue the school children and their teachers.

He lamented that the school children and their teachers were still in the hands of their captors several weeks after their kidnap.

This is coming as Archbishop Ibezim listed three major things that would make one successful in life to include true Foundation, Favour and Hard work.

In his sermon at the Church of the Holy Spirit Awka during the confirmation/ Admission into Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Guild, Archbishop Ibezim said anyone with the three things listed above must be successful in life.

The theme of the sermon was, ”If you want to succeed in life, foundation, favour and hard work are the three major things to focus on”.

He said God honoured hard work because hard work was service, regretting that many people were becoming lazy in the present generation, particularly men.

Archbishop Ibezim insisted that favour was important to every family, without which someone may not reach heights in life.

He described it as a shame for some Christians who indulged in watching pornography and lazing about; lamenting that youths, rather than focus on hard work and their studies, had been indulging in promiscuous lifestyle and prostitution, as well as idol worship. These, he asked them to stop forthwith in other to receive God’s unfailing grace.

The Awka Diocesan Bishop encouraged Christians to have their foundations in Jesus Christ since any foundation not in Christ is faulty and yields nothing.

He reminded that sin has no respect for status, pointing out the need for Christians to encounter Jesus Christ. He was worried that other religions are eroding Christianity in Nigeria. He said a Christian family without a foundation is temporary.

He further said the society would be better if people do things without personal interests and reiterated the need for Christians to build their foundations on Jesus Christ.

He literally wept that despite the numerous prayers in Christian communities, things had really degenerated with systemic jealousy everywhere.

He reminded that there is a difference between being religious and being transformed. He warned Christians not to abandon the tradition of the Church which, he said, was going to church with the Bible as it was a shame on anyone not attending church without the Bible.

He encouraged mothers to lay true foundations for their children to enable them to prosper in life, adding that many men were in prison in their homes as some women had pushed their husbands into ugly acts, including kidnapping, because of their covetousness.

He prayed against the prison of prostitution, poverty and other deprivations in society.

Church of the Holy Spirit, Awka; St. Stephen’s Parish Awka; and Anglican Chaplaincy, Federal Technical College, FSTC, Awka, participated in the confirmation and admission service.

92 candidates were confirmed, 67 candidates were admitted into Girls’ Guild and 27 women into Mothers’ Union.

President, Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild, Girls’ Guild & Young Wives Fellowship, Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, Dr Mrs. Martha Chioma Ibezim, (Nneoma) congratulated the admitted women and Guild.

Ven Dr. Egwuonwu thanked His Lordship and Mama Awka for coming, asking God to bless them more through their ministries.

Vicar, Church of the Holy Spirit Awka and Archdeacon, CHS Awka Archdeaconry, Ven. Dr. Onyeka Egwuonwu, and his St Stephen’s Awka counterpart, Reverend Canon Samuel Okeke, as well as their wives led by the wife of the Archdeacon CHS Awka Archdeaconry, Bar. Mrs. Chioma Egwuonwu, witnessed the confirmation service.

Archbishop Ibezim later blessed the Church sign post (Billboard) provided by the AYF of CHS Awka.