Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo has expressed concerns over Nigeria’s current state of affairs, likening it to the biblical paralytic.
He regretted that many sectors of the economy as well as those of the citizenry were in paralysis, stressing that, “We need God’s help to overcome our national and individual paralytic conditions”.
Nwokolo spoke while delivering his homily at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha during the commemoration of the re-dedication of the Knights, Dames and Lady Knights of the Order of the Knight of St Christopher of the Diocese for the year.
He said, “Nigeria, currently encumbered with apparently intractable economic, political and social problems is like the paralyzed man in the Bible who was in dire need of God’s help.
“Irrespective of the nation’s continual applications of various economic and political policies and stratagems, Nigeria only needs the mercy and God’s favour to survive her present woes.
“We need His favour for us to surmount our present nagging problems in order for us to achieve success in our political, economic and social endeavours.
“No amount of our human efforts, theories, wisdom or money can avail us qualitative sustainable growth and development without divine grace and mercy.”
The Prelate however assured that God would soon favour Nigeria and show her prosperity and bountiful blessings, but pleaded, “We should sincerely have fellowship with Him at all times and practice righteousness, justice
and good governance”.
The bishop challenged the Knights, Dames and Lady Knights to always remember their vows and to remain true ambassadors of Christ wherever they found themselves by consciously aiming to be like Jesus.
The President, Diocesan Knights of St Christopher, Sir Ikechukwu Ejelue, had, in a two-page address he presented during the reception session of the event organised at the Archbishop C. J. Paterson Auditorium, Onitsha, narrated in part, exploits of the council so far.
On the University on the Niger projects, he said,” I appreciate the Lady Knights led by Dr Ngọzi Agbasimalo for the completion and dedication of the second University Gate.
“The block work on the second floor of our hostel project has been completed, we shall soon commence work on the third and final deck of the building”, he further explained.
Ejelue appreciated Bishop Nwokolo and his wife, Dr Elsie Nonyelum Nwokolo, whose material, moral and spiritual supports, he said, had helped to boost the morals of the members towards their active participation in the university project.
Major highpoint of the service was the solemn re-dedication of the members by the bishop before whom they recited their chivalrous oaths.
