Edemba Charges Fathers For Active Participation In Elections .. As Catholic Fathers End One Day Regional Convention

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

The President, Onitsha Regional Catholic Men Organization, (CMO) Bro. Edemba Hilary on 27th Oct.charged fathers to always participate actively in elections irrespective of what have been happening in the course of voting and declaring a winner.

Edemba gave this charge at St Mary’s Catholic Church Awka Road, Onitsha, during the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha CMO Episcopal Region Annual Convention with theme “Do not be deceived, God is still faithful”

According to Edemba, “The sole aim of the event was for spiritual upliftment, we discovered that so many people are now discouraged to vote and we decided to organize this programme to make people understand that it is still their civic responsibilities to vote.

“Irrespective of what we have been seeing in the course of voting and declaration of the winner, we should not be discouraged, rather let us take it as a responsibility and encourage our wives, children who are up to voting age, friends to go out and perform our civic responsibilities on the days of election”Edemba posited.

In his words, the Convention Planning Committee Chairman, Mayor Andy Akanonu who thanked God for the successful event added that the topic discussed is an eye opener to fathers present, pointed out that everything pertaining elections were clearly explained by the guest speaker.

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He advised fathers on the need to teach their children the ways of the Lord, noting that if a father follows a path of God, definitely the children must follow suit. He also added it would be well to any father who is truthful both to his families and to the church.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker , Barr Dr.Noel Udeoji who is also a lecturer at University Of Nigeria Nsukka in his speech on the convention topic “Politics, a civic responsibility as a Catholic Father, emphasized on politics, why it is a civic responsibility, stating that it is a duty expected by citizens for the good of society.

He stated that church’s role are civic education and moral formation, that is, encouraging members to register, collect PVC’s and vote wisely, among others.

The Guest Speaker stressed on men voter participation using Anambra State as a case study. He quoted INEC and Civil Society Organization, (CSO) that from the empirical observations, women participation in voting in the state and Southeastern states is slightly higher than men approx 55 percent women and 45 percent men in most polling units.

He stated the causes of voter apathy among fathers as over emphasis on spiritual matters over civic responsibilities, lack of catholic men sustained civic engagement platform, adding that JDPC is a great model for political awareness but needs to be practical and decentralized, among other causes.

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Udeoji also listed the solutions to identifiable challenges as organizing pre election voter forum by catholic men, to encourage responsible catholic fathers to run for local offices like Council, Ward, House of Assembly, and such candidate should be supported and fathers should discuss politics at home, teaching their children about leadership and service, so that when they grow up, they would flow with the tide, among other solutions.

The Secretary, Convention Planning Committee, Sir Ebilite Ugonna, stated that the theme of the event was to made it clear that God still exist and faithful too, cited that people ask questions, if there is still God because of what are happening today in our society.

On the topic of the day, Politics, a civic responsibility as a Catholic father, Ebilite advised those who show no interest in voting during election that if they fail to participate, a winner must emerge and they must be concerned by the outcome, that is, the leadership style of the elected.

He advised fathers for active participation during elections, pointing out that it is the only time to choose the preferred candidate. He also advised voters to not be deceived by vote buying and to politicians to always fulfill whatever they promised electorates, “Don’t get rotten because you are in the system”, Ebilite advised politicians.

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The CMO Chaplain, Rev Fr.Joseph Umeasiegbu from Christ the king Parish, advised fathers to hope on God despite the challenges of life and stressed on the need for active participation during elections.

The convention which commenced with 10 am Holy Mass by CMO Regional Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Joseph Umeasiegbu, who was ably represented by Rev Fr. Jose Maria Onyechi from St Joseph Parish Awada draws fathers from parishes under basilica zone, St Mary’s Zone, Fegge Zone, Sacred Heart Zones, Awada Zone and Christ the King Zones.

One of the Special Guest at the event, the Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, stated that it is a responsibility to contribute in a gathering like this especially at this time of election. He charged fathers to ask questions before taking decisions as regards to voting candidate.

Others who contributed were the Mayor President Onitsha Region, who was the former president CMO Onitsha Region, Mayor Chukwukelu Okudo, CMO President St Mary’s Parish, Prince Ewuzie Kennedy, the Assistant Secretary CMO Onitsha Region, Hon. Mayor Ebuka Udeolisa and the Secretary CMO Episcopal Region, Mr Leo Unegbu.