Bishop Ezeokafor Inaugurates New leaders of Laity Council, CMO, CWO Other Pious Organisations
By Felix Oti, Awka
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has inaugurated the new leadership of the Laity Diocesan Executive Officers, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) and other Pious Organisations in the diocese for the year 2026-2030.
During inauguration, Bishop Ezeokafor in his speech entitled: “Witness through servant leadership in Awka Diocese by the laity” thanked both the outgone and the newly inaugurated leaders for their acceptance to serve in various capabilities in the diocese, describing their duties and responsibilities as a relay race.
He made it clear to them that they are not working for themselves but for the church of God.
He urged them to endeavour to carry everyone along and ensure transparency and accountability including power sharing in decision making as every leader, irrespective of their positions has something to offer.
He further advised them to share responsibilities amongst the key members to achieve a common goal as the church does not condone sole administrator in her operations.
“A leader must be a person that fears money that belongs to another person or group of persons and guarantees transparency in accounting.
“A leader must be available at all times, he must listen and evaluate things. If a leader must delegate, you must supervise, have vision and never be arrogant” the prelate advised.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Ezeokafor urged the faithful to keep to the rules to avoid problems. “It is only when you keep Gods rules that you will be saved” he said.
“Why we should keep the rule is because if you keep the rules, you will have life and reward from the person that set the rules.
“I believe that what we will benefit in heaven will help us to accept and defeat whatever that will be an obstacle to heaven.
“Any thing we do, let our yes be our yes and our no be our no. If we have this type of understanding, it will help us. Telling lies is the major problem that is on earth including bad behaviours.
“We should understand that being a child of God means that we should try to live in christ and keep his rules. We will be saved and have everlasting life. All these will come to us if we live a good life.
The new chairman of the Laity Council, Hon Sir Engr Barr Victor Meju, who also doubles as the new Chairman of Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) Awka Dioceses thanked members for the confidence reposed in him and other executive council members and assured of robust leadership.
“Today marks the inauguration of the 2026 section of the Awka laity council. Before now, hand over has been officially done in various levels in the diocese.
“What happened today is that our Lord Bishop inaugurated the executive council and shared his pastoral affection with us as the pillar father from the diocese.
“For us, it is a great and remarkable event because this is the first time in Awka diocese where we have such huge power of leadership .
“As a matter of fact, I am the first Laity Council president to emerge as president of CMO.
“It is a litmus test for worshippers to see how we can galvanize the structure to have a very effective leadership that will achieve the vision and mission of the diocese .
“I am glad to share my joy at the moment to see from the ambiance of the church. My people are happy and I am asking God for one thing-the grace and strength to do this job.
“It is indeed massive but by the grace of God, we shall surmount and I pray that we finish strong .
“I am available for the job, If I am not, I wouldn’t have applied for it. We applied for it and God will give us the strength to do it.
“We always ask God for strength and capacity for once there is health, we can carry on.
“Accountability is one of the hallmarks of stability by any administration and it is a criteria to carry everyone along.
“The Bishop has
advised us on what to do to succeed and we will toe that line because we want to succeed.
“We have already announced here that our laity programme starts on the 26th day of February, 2026 where we have to plan for flag-off on 22nd of March, 2026. There will also be lay lectures.
On its Friday, CMO will begin with their retreat, football events and so on. Everybody has to be involved. It will not be business as usual so we have outlined a lot of things .
“The renovation of CMO building is ongoing now and before the end of the 400 days in office, we are going to achieve that.
“We have installed the borehole which is up and running. By next week, we will concluding the laity structure because we want to finish and commission it” he said.
The Director, Catholic Women Organisation, Lady Ngozi Dorathy Mmuo, in her speech, promised to run an open door policy by carrying everyone along to achieve the aims of the organisation .
