Fathers’ Sunday: 7 bag awards at the church of Holy Spirit

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

No fewer than seven men were bestowed with awards for their support of the work of God and the growth of the church in Awka diocese, Anglican Communion.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the awards were given during the Fathers’ Sunday Service at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Sunday.

The awardees are Kenechukwu Ochuba, Ifeanyi Kenechukwu Chisaidu Evang Chukwuebuka Ogunta, Engr Ejikeme Ugochukwu Umeokafor, Ifeanyi Ekwealor, Engr Emeka Okafor, and Hon Peter Onyejegbu.

Addressing fathers at the Service, Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev’d Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim described the 2023 Fathers’ Sunday as remarkable, noting that fathers are the backbone of the society.

According to Ibezim who particularly eulogized fathers for their roles in their homes and society at large, urged fathers to be courageous and imbibe the fear of God to achieve what heaven has ordained them to achieve.

He said: “We are grateful to God for giving us the strength, patience, and endurance to survive because life itself is a gift from God. This year has been remarkable and witnessed the election and the coming of a new government.

“To the men, you are like Joshua. The time of Moses has gone. All the problems and challenges you have faced are gone. Look forward to the future because God is saying ” I’m the owner of the future,” and has empowered you to possess your possession.

“Because God told Joshua to be courageous, I want fathers to be courageous in their faith and service to Christ and humanity. This is the time that many men are losing hope. Some don’t even believe that God can answer prayers.

“We must not be stagnant because a stagnant family is a deprived family and a satanic arrow.  Stagnant fathers do not achieve anything. That is why we as fathers must embrace courage. It is a time for renewing our strength to be actionable.

“Nowadays, people die like cockroaches, sleep but do not wake up, suffer from high blood pressure, and others, but God did not create us like that. He created us to be strong and courageous to achieve what heaven has ordained us to achieve.”

Earlier in a sermon, Rev’d Canon Onyeka Egwuonwu, admonished fathers to dissociate from secret societies, to avert attracting God’s anger and wrath to their homes.

While he called on fathers to work to attract the grace and blessings of God, he urged those with irresponsible characters to renew themselves and their covenants with God for the blessings of Christ to dwell in their families.

The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, while felicitating with fathers on their day, encouraged the church to support the State government through prayers in its drive to build the state into a prosperous home.

The Vicar of the Church of Holy Spirit, Ven. Rex Kanu urged homes without a father to look unto Jesus as their father. He also advised fathers themselves to look up to God to be able to carry their cross and that of society.

Chairman Anambra State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Chairman 2023 Father’s Sunday Organizing Committee, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu while addressing journalists said today is a day to celebrate fathers as pillars of the society. He said the father’s guidance, directions, and input have been very beneficial to society.

Chairman of Christian Men’s Fellowship, Dr Raymond Ofor encouraged all fathers to be role models and ensure that their children and other’s children are taken care of for the sake of the church the society.