St. Mary’s Parish Ubomiri, celebrates 2013 Father’s Day

The annual celebration of Catholic Men Organization (CMO) known as “Father’s Day” took place throughout Owerri Archdiocese on Sunday, May 5, 2013. At St. Mary’s Parish Ubomiri in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, the occasion kicked off with a concelebrated Holy Mass presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu, assisted by Rev. Fr. Cletus Eboh of the Pontifical Mission Society (PMS). The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Osuagwu welcomed the Christian fathers and all, and wished them a happy and fruitful celebration. In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Cletus Eboh said that fathers are heads or pillars (Ide ji ulo) of their individual families and have the obligation and duty of teaching their…

LSM Osu launches for Bus

The Sancta Paula Osu Sub-Council of the Noble Order Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria has received kudos for its sustained co-operation and support for the church especially in matters relating to the faith and funding. The Chaplain, Osu Sub-Council KSM, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cajetan Ehiem, made the commendation as he preached a homily during the Mass that preceded launching for funds to buy an official bus organized by the Ladies of the Noble Order, Osu Sub-Council, held Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the KSM Sub-Council Hall located at the St. Paul’s Parish Osu Isiala Mbano.  He dwelt extensively on the benefits of such synergy between the church and the knighthood which he said is an…

BOOK REVIEW: ROCHAS REVOLUTION, Leadership By Example

BOOK REVIEW Title:                      ROCHAS REVOLUTION, Leadership By Example Author:               Rev. Fr. Nathaniel I. Ndiokwere Pagination:     240 Pages Reviewer:       Mr. Brendan Ikechukwu Nwaozor; Principal Information Officer;                                               Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Owerri. The author, Rev. Fr. Dr. Nathaniel I. Ndiokwere is not new in contributing to the literary world, as he has to his credit some of the soundest quotable materials which are regularly used in academic parameters. Beginning this project with a simple quote from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible highlights the author’s status as clergyman of sound intellectual standing and a good homilist, who knows his onions of the pulpit. The Quote: “Where…

Why I take Indian hemp -Pastor arrested for kidnapping tells police

A Pastor of a Pentecostal Church arrested for alleged kidnapping shocked detectives, when he was also arrested with a bundle of Indian hemp, found in his house as part of his daily meal. General Overseer of Divine Justice Church, Owerri, Imo State, Pastor Clement Ezeigbo, who is currently cooling his heels in the police Anti Kidnap Unit of the state police command, told the police: “I don’t know anything about kidnapping but I am the owner of the Indian hemp (Igbo) but the good thing is that I don’t smoke it but I use it to prepare my food.  I enjoy eating food prepared with Indian hemp”. “I don’t think there is anything wrong when…

Man who put mum’s body in cupboard Banished …Also baby factory suspect

Imo State traditional rulers have banished Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, in whose home was found the embalmed body of his 73-year-old mum declared missing 10 years ago. Also banished is the proprietor of the Ahamefula Motherless Babies Home, “Madam One Thousand” where 26 expectant teenagers were rescued. “Madam One Thousand”, is no longer to reside in the state, the traditional rulers ruled. Dr. Osuigwe, a native of Ezuru Umuagwu village in Ejemekwuru Autonomous  Community, Oguta LGA Imo State  is a member of the Satguru Maharajji sect. Announcing the verdict, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, said the action of the duo desecrated the land, warning that henceforth all forms…

APGA Leaders storm Ehime-Mbano -As SOLAD urges Governor to vie for 2nd term

Chief Mrs. Chioma Ogoke, the Sole Administrator of Ehime Mbano Local Government Council, on May 10, 2013 implored the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to consolidate his achievements by running for a second tenure in the 2015 gubernatorial elections. She made this appeal through the State Working Committee of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which visited Ehime-Mbano. According to her “the monumental achievements of the present regime and its benefits will manifest fully if Governor Okorocha serves another tenure”, she said.  She urged the Governor to shelve his presidential ambition for now. In address at the event, the State Governor represented by Chief Vitalis Anyaegbu, the State Secretary of the party postulates that…

10 years after, corpse of ‘missing’ woman found in son’s cupboard in Imo

The sleepy Ezuru Umuagwu village in Ejemekwuru Community, Oguta LGA, was roused on May 11, 2013 following the discovery of the embalmed corpse of a 78-year-old woman, Mrs. Lucy Osigwe who was earlier declared missing in 2003. The Ambush Squad of the Nigeria Police Force Imo State Command, discovered the body on May 11, following a tip-off. The dried body was found in the cupboard of her son, Dr. Chimezie Bede Osigwe, a 64-year-old retired school principal who has been a strong believer and member of Guru Maharaji Sect. It was revealed that the embalmed body has been in that condition for about 10 years. The Imo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Musa Katsina, told…

Silver Jubilee anniversary: An act of thanksgiving – Bishop Ukwuoma

–     As Prof. & Mrs. Tony Uzoma clock 25 years in marriage It was all joy and merriments as Prof. Anthony Uwandu-Uzoma and Mrs. Beatrice Ifeyinwa Uzoma marked their silver jubilee wedding anniversary at St. Gregory’s Catholic Parish Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, Imo State on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The silver jubilee celebration commenced with a concelebrated Eucharistic Mass presided over by the chief shepherd of Orlu diocese, Most Rev. Dr. A.T. Ukwuoma and assisted by about 50 priests from different dioceses of Igboland, including Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Ibole, Vicar-General Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Alphonsus Oha, Chancellor, Owerri Archdiocese and Rev. Fr. Prof. Louis Asiegbu of the Federal University of Technology Owerri. Delivering a…

CMO Atta Parish honours Imo NUJ Chairman

Activities marking the 2013 Father’s Day celebration at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish Atta, in Ikeduru LGA were rounded off on Sunday, May 5 with a Thanksgiving Mass, funds-raising and the conferment of “EZI-NWA” title on the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State, Chief Innocent Igwe by the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of the parish. Presenting the award on the NUJ Chairman, who was accompanied by his wife, Lady Angela Igwe, the Chairman of the Father’s Day Planning Committee, Mr. Matthew Aguguom described Chief Igwe as a worthy son of Atta Ikeduru in whom they are well pleased. They commended the way and manner Sir Igwe is consistently reforming journalism practice in Imo State…

St. Andrew’s Parish Umuokanne celebrates Father’s Day – Decries lukewarm attitude of members

The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of St. Andrew’s Parish Umuokanne has expressed disappointment over the lukewarm attitude of some members towards the upliftment of the parish. The President of the parish CMO, Mr. Sylvester Onyema (City), who expressed this view during the Father’s Day, May 5, 2013, regretted that some CMO members are not making any financial support for the parish and called for a complete change of heart, both morally and financially. The Parish CMO Secretary, Vincent Mary-Ihejieto Esq., echoed similar view.  He told THE LEADER that this year’s Father’s Day was rich spiritually. “Some of our parishioners’ resident “abroad” were invited to help us support and build our “parish security fence” as the…

VIRUSES ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN CANCER (1)

Cancer may be described as any tumor arising from abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells that then invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Most of them are named after the organ or cell in which they start e.g. liver cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer etc. Cancers are grouped into: carcinoma when they arise in the epithelium, sarcoma when they involve connective tissues, leukemia with origin in blood or bone marrow, lymphoma arising from B or T lymphocytes (white blood cells), myeloma originating from plasma cells, and central nervous system cancer when the cells of the CNS are involved. Cancer is a public health problem world-wide and affects all categories of persons. It is the second common…

Nigerian Physicians and Our Right to Know

Chioma called again! You remember her? The woman her boss was pressing for an affair (See https://theleaderassumpta.com/category/columns/ethics-corner/ or www.csaaeinc.org/blog for full story). I thought she was going to talk about this affair.  No. This time it was about her sick mother. “Could you please pray for her, she is in a hospital at Owerri”, she said. I know her mother, a 65 year old “rural woman”.  I called this woman. “Mama, what’s the matter?” “The Doctor has not told me anything”, she answered. “What medication has he given you?” “He did not tell me, he just said that I will be fine.” I have heard this several times, especially from poorer and less educated Nigerians. Regardless…

Breaking News: Ancient tree falls, kills over 30

Over 30 people are feared dead and a yet to be ascertained number were critically injured when a tall tree known as Osisi Ukwu Uko, collapsed on buildings, as well as those transacting their business in a market located under the tree. This sad event reportedly occurred at Umudagu Mbieri, Mbaitoli local council area of Imo State late Thursday night, following a heavy down rain that was accompanied by a ferocious windstorm and thunder. It was also gathered that most of the victims were either traders, who were selling their wares in the market, their customers, some passers-by and others who were taking shelter in the town hall and the surrounding houses. A boy, who…

War against Boko Haram begins – We’ll crush them – Defence Headquarters

With a massive deployment of troops and equipment, the army, navy, air force and other security agencies have begun operation to “rid the nation’s border territories of terrorists’ bases and operations. President Jonathan had in a nationwide broadcast admitted that the Federal Government no longer controlled the entire territory of Nigeria. Three states where the emergency action was declared share common borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger.  These border communities have become bases for training, insurgency and other criminal activities against Nigeria. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) gave indication that the time was up for the Boko Haram sect and other terrorists groups in the country as it announced the deployment of massive troops to take…

Community Government: Is it viable?

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has on several occasions enumerated what Imo people stand to gain from embracing his Fourth-Tier System of Government, otherwise called, Community Government.  The novelty of it all, being that the state power base will, as it were, relocate from Douglas House Owerri (Government House) to the various autonomous communities in the 27 local government areas of the state. According to the new structure, the duly recognized traditional ruler of each autonomous community will preside over the Community Government Council (CGC), which will include: a Government Liaison Officer (GLO), a Community Liaison Officer (CLO), a Woman leader, Youth leader and Secretary.  The concept is to bring development close to the people as…

Imo baby factory saga: ‘I never impregnated anyone’ – Suspect

Contrary to police statement, Chukwuebuka Onyemefule, popularly called Oyibo, has denied any involvement in the pregnancy of the 23 girls who were arrested last week by the Police at the Ahamefule Orphanage at Umuaka, Njaba Council Area of the state. The 23-year-old who spoke with Daily sun said the police had lied that he was solely employed by the owner of the motherless babies’ home as a stud. He maintained that he was only employed about three weeks ago to work at the sachet water factory and that 23 girls were all pregnant when he resumed at the sachet water section of the hospital. According to him, “the police lied when they said that I…

Pope Francis Names 800 New Saints

Pope Francis’s first canonization ceremony was a record-breaking one. The new pontiff named over 800 new saints on Sunday. That’s already almost double the number of saints declared by Pope John Paul II, whose 480-odd canonizations were, at the time, more than those of all of his predecessors since 1588, combined. But the latest canonization bonanza is notable for another reason: most of the 800 new saints are 15th-century martyrs, who were approved as a group for sainthood by Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Given Pope Francis’s previous public commitment to improving the Catholic church’s relationship with Muslim communities worldwide, Benedict XVI’s unfinished business put the new pontiff in a delicate position. The 813 “Martyrs…

ACHEBE AND THE INVENTION OF AFRICAN LITERATURE (1)

came strong on the world stage with the publication of his first novel, Things Fall Apart. It is a work widely considered to have defined African literature and brought balance to world literature. This is despite the fact that there were other pioneering efforts regarding African prose by African indigenous writers. By 1933 Omenụkọ by Pita Nwana had been published, followed by the Onitsha Market Literature through which Cyprian Ekwensi published pamphlet stories like Ikolo the Wrestler and Other Ibo Tales (1947) and When Love Whispers (1948). These were before Amos Tutuola’s The Palm-Wine Drinkard (1952), which many regard as the pioneer novel form in English language by an indigenous African. However, it is Chinua…

Archbishop Obinna visits St. Francis Chaplaincy, Dan Anyiam Staduim

-Dedicates church, confirms 125 The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna paid a pastoral visit to St. Francis of Assisi Dan Anyiam on Sunday, May 12, 2013. The Holy Mass was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna, assisted by Rev. Fr. Jude Zimoha, the Chaplain, Fr. Alphonsus Oha, Fr. Longinus Chinagorom, Fr. George Nwachukwu, Fr. Kingsley Nze and Fr. George Ike. In his homily, the Archbishop said that St. Stephen was one of the seven deacons that spread the good news of Christ until his brothers, the Jews stoned him to death and even until his death he pleaded with God not to hold the sins of his…

GOD’S SPIRIT AND WORD IN THE TIMES OF PROMISES

“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit”, “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father’!  “This knowledge of faith is possible only in the Holy Spirit: to be in touch with Christ, we must first have been touched by the Holy Spirit.  He comes to meet us and kindles faith in us” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 683). The Spirit is the gift of the Father intimate to the work of the Son and through whom we know, confess and benefit from that work.  The Spirit is “the Lord and giver of life”.   GOD’S SPIRIT AND WORD IN THE TIMES OF PROMISES The…