BEFORE THE MISSION SCHOOLS DIE (2)

GO GET THEM: What is in vogue now, is to make the mission schools bleed like the Pelican. They are now the cash cow that funds the hitherto commendable free education toga of Owelle’s administration. The state government has slammed a near 1000% increase in annual renewal fees on the nearly 120 mission-run primary and secondary schools in Owerri Archdiocese alone, not mentioning Orlu, Okigwe, Ahiara dioceces. It has recently introduced an obnoxious re-inspection of schools that carry a mandatory 30, 50, 60 thousand naira levy for nursery, primary and secondary schools respectively. This poisoned chalice is carefully enshrined in a seemingly innocuous letter under the guise of checking substandard institutions. You and I know…

Knights of St. Mulumba, St. Paul’s Sub-Council hold 2013 Youth Holiday Programme

The 2013 Youth Holiday Programme organized by the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, St. Paul’s Sub-Council Owerri has ended at Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Wetheral Road, Owerri, August 31. In a homily at the Holy Mass preceding the event, Rev. Fr. Michael Konye called on Christians to put into work the blessings they received from God. According to him, God’s given talents must be improved upon instead of preserving them.  The homilist, who represented the Chaplain of the Sub-Council, Rev. Fr. Lawrence. Nwachukwu, noted that God in his love surrounded them with people and things to make their world better.  They should, therefore, respond to this love shown them by God by extending their love to…

When a Christian may be convicted for marrying more than one wife

We live in a country where both the rich and the poor marry more than one wife and no one raises an eyelid It is important to understand that the Christian marriage is based on monogamy. Adam had one wife, Eve, to the exclusion of any other woman. God also made for Adam, a wife, rather than wives. Thus polygamy is man made and influenced by a zealous desire to multiply and dominate the Earth in the agrarian era, when we depended on subsistence farming. A marriage celebrated under the Act is therefore monogamous. It follows therefore that a person who undergoes a marriage under the Act, and whilst it subsists, contracts another marriage commits…

Un-Natural Nigeria Will it expire in 2014?

The North and South protectorates that make up Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914. Next year marks 100 years and questions are being asked. There are Nigerians who feel the country should click glasses and celebrate with cakes and candles, when the day official breaks. Some are saying the “marriage of convenience” should end while others are too busy, trying to make a living, to care. But the Federal Government has commenced activities to commemorate the big event. It’s also possible that some top politicians and big business people are stacking away choice wines and awarding contracts to mark the occasion. Face2Face sought the opinion  of a veteran professor of history, Prof. Ukachukwu Damian Anyanwu, of…

The Gospel According To Wealth

My short term membership and eventual chairmanship of the prestigious Christian Association of Nigeria opened my eyes to  many realities, good and evil. On a positive note, I was delighted to observe that virtually all the people in the contemporary Nigerian society believe that their lives and existence depend on a power not their own. They truly believe that there is an unseen hand that guides their every action and that whatever befalls them may have something to do with this power. Some call this power God, some call him Chukwu, some Christian call him Jehovah, some name him Allah; others prefer to see Him as a Supreme or Superior Being. Whatever name any particular…

Governor’s Overseas Trip paralyses Imo

Imo State appears to have grounded to a halt and nothing seems to be moving since Governor Rochas Okorocha travelled to the United States of America, last month. Our investigations revealed that government activities were paralysed as most of his aides were neither empowered nor have any authority to transact serious business. Last week, the Deputy Governor ordered the contractor handling the Nekede-Ihiagwa Road to return to site immediately. The order was ignored as the contractor is yet to return to site more than a week the order was issued. Observers say the contractors feel the deputy governor doesn’t have a biting power to sanction. The Leader also gathered that a World Bank Project team…

VOLUNTARY POVERTY, SIGN OF THE KINGDOM

Man in his moral reflection has always seen in wealth and possessions the danger of alienation.  In the history of thought and Religion there is an appeal for detachment from material things in view of the liberation and realization of the human persons.  Evangelical poverty is on this level.  It does not deny it rather it transcends it.  It is not moralistic or centered on man but on the person of Jesus.  Evangelical poverty is a consequence of faith in Jesus and in the coming of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus wanted to be poor and preached poverty not only as moral or spiritual liberation, but as condition of redemptive incarnation, necessary passage towards the…

St Peter’s Egbeada Celebrates Feast Of Patron Saint

It was indeed all joy at St Peter’s parish Egbeada, Imo state, Sunday 30th June 2013. The event began with a holy mass officiated by Very Rev Dr. Innocent Osuagwu assisted by Rev Fr. Innocent Orji Parish Priest and Rev Fr. Aloysius Iwuanoruo.  Fr. Innocent Orji in his introduction thanked God for the gift of life, his blessings and also making it possible for the day to come to fulfillment. Delivering the homily, Very Rev Dr. Innocent M. Osuagwu expressed how happy he was being with the parishioners. He began by letting the people know that Jesus Christ calls us to serve him through our fellow human beings. He said that all the servants of…

KSM: Mgbidi Sub-Council promotes six to 2nd Degree

The Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria (KSM), Mater Ecclesiae Sub-Council Mgbidi, Orlu diocese has raised six brothers to the Second Degree.  The wives of the knights whom they call Sisters were similarly promoted. The investiture ceremony which took place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Mgbidi on June 30, 2013 started with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Ray Alaneme of Orlu diocese, assisted by the Parish Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. Eugene Dike, his Assistant, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ilozurike and the Sub-Council Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Francis Amadi. In his sermon during the Mass, Fr. Alaneme reflected on the readings of the day and the just concluded retreat in the parish and called on the…

St. Augustine’s Deanery Ezinihitte inaugurates Two Hearts of Love: Jesus and Mary

The association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary has become solidly founded in St. Augustine’s Deanery Ezinihitte through its inauguration ceremony at the deanery centre, St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Itu Ezinihitte, Saturday, June 8, 2013.  The exercise attracted members and invitees from 21 parishes in the deanery who appeared in their full uniform. Among the people were 28 persons who were inaugurated Matrons and Patrons while 62 new members were consecrated including an infant of 11 month old, Esther Adibe from Queen of Peace Parish Oboama Ezinihitte. In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Chris Akuchie, Deanery Representative, the Diocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Chrisantus Onwumere…

Answer God’s call promptly – Fr. Diala

-As St. Paul’s Boys’ Int’l Secondary  School Chaplaincy marks feast day It was indeed a busy weekend at St. Paul’s Boys’ int’l Secondary School Chaplaincy as they celebrated the feast of St. Paul who is their patron saint on June 30, 2013. The Assistant Chaplain, Fr. Emma Diala in his sermon during the Holy Mass spoke about vocation – calling on people like Elisha in the Bible who left everything and followed Elijah whom he succeeded.  Also the calling by Jesus of a man who requested to go and bury his dead father.  With this he told the congregation that Jesus is calling all Christians and everyone should ask himself/herself why they should not answer…

Imo gets 16 new Perm Secs – Dr. Iwuagwu for Education

The Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha on Wednesday, July 03, 2013 at the Government House Owerri, swore in 16 new Permanent Secretaries for the Imo State civil service. The swearing in ceremony which witnessed a huge gathering of friends and well-wishers at the Government House was the actual confirmation of the senior civil servants who were appointed acting permanent secretaries about a month ago. Speaking at the occasion, Governor Okorocha congratulated the new Perm Secs on their appointment. He urged them to work hard to meet up with the expectations of his rescue mission agenda. He challenged them to brace up and be ready to work round the clock to deliver to the people….

Prof. Celestine Onwuliri; A demise that would continue to live in our minds – Msgr Theo Nwalo

- As family commissions academic block for Major Seminary Activities slated to mark the one-year remembrance of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri who died in Lagos in the ill-fated Dana air crash which occurred on June 3rd, 2012 have been concluded with a memorial Mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Parish Amuzi Mbaise and the commissioning of a Philosophy Block built in memory of Prof. C. Onwuliri at the Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary Ariam, Abia State on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June respectively. The Mass which witnessed a mammoth crowd of people who came from all walks of life had Msgr. Theo Nwalo, the Catholic Administrator of Ahiara diocese as the chief celebrant and assisted by…

30 guests hospitalized after eating “Ugba” – At child dedication ceremony

No fewer than thirty persons were reportedly rushed to various hospitals in Owerri and its environs after taking oil bean delicacy, known as ugba at a child dedication reception. The incident which took place on Sunday, June 23, came after eight members of a family died of suspected food poison (ugba delicacy) in Ngor Okpala not long ago. The June 23 incident, which was a child dedication ceremony (name withheld), took place at Grace Land Estate, Egbeada, Owerri, the residence of the host, after the dedication in a church at a highbrow area of Owerri. The said oil bean was bought at Eke Ukwu Owerri and was prepared by the mother of the baby.  It…

Egyptians awake to uncertainty as Adly Mansour is sworn in as New Interim President

Egyptians awoke up on Thursday to an uncertain new political order, a day after the military deposed and reportedly detained the country’s first democratically elected president, put a top judge in his place and suspended the constitution. The coup that toppled Mohamed Morsy as president on Wednesday prompted hundreds of thousands of people in the streets across Egypt to both applaud and assail the generals’ decision to step into the country’s political fray for the second time in a little over two years. It also left a series of significant questions unanswered. What will happen to Morsy, who insists he remains the country’s legitimate leader, and his key supporters? Will the sporadic outbreaks of violence…

THE POOR CRYING FOR A MOSES

One thing is certain.  From the earliest recorded history man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organizing himself according to what is befitting his true nature as a natural being.  He remains a political animal and can only realize himself fully in a well organized political state.  How well he can organize his political society is the problem. Over two thousand years, when the situation in the world was apparently not as bad as what obtains today, the same hopelessness of the human character was well evident in Christ’s lamentation.  “Oh you generation of vipers.  How can you, being evil speak good things”. The poor whose population is overwhelming are suffering in…

Ibeme-Mbano gets another Priest – Rev. Fr. Innocent Eziefule

St Ita’s Parish Ibeme-Isiala Mbano, Sunday 23rd June 2013, hosted yet another of her own, Rev. Fr. Innocent Ugochukwu Eziefule on the occasion of his first Holy Mass, having been ordained Catholic Priest on 8th June 2013 by Most. Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer (O.M.I) Bishop of San Angelo Texas USA. Introducing the Mass, the Parish Vicar Very. Rev. Fr. Felix Okonkwo declared the day blessed as their newly ordained son was fully loaded with fresh  anointing to bless his people in his first holy Mass and thanked an indigenous priests of Ibeme working in the USA, Fr. Romanus Akamike for being instrumental to the successful ordination in far away USA. Similarly the chief celebrant and…

60% of drivers cannot drive – Mr Emeka Osuorji

It was once reported overseas that 30 per cent of people driving vehicles in Lagos were visually impaired and have no business behind the wheels. General Manager, Imo State Traffic Management Authority (IMSTMA), Mr. Emeka Osuorji, re-echoed that recently when he expressed concern that 60 per cent of those driving in Imo state could move a car but didn’t know how to drive. IMSTMA boss and his men are trying to clean up the roads much like the police, road safety, civil defence and orientation, all uniformed organizations trying to control traffic on perpetually crowded and crazy roads. Whether this is a duplication of service or a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth…

OGUTA STATE CONSTITUENCY RE-ELECTION: Why I am not excited

On the 29th of June 2013, there will be a re-run election for the representative of Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly. This is as a result of the nullification of the election of Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the court. The front runners in the election, the PDP and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)/yet-to-be registered All Progressive Congress (APC) have been campaigning and mobilizing in a very big way. The battle line seems to be drawn between both parties. On the side of the PDP are Senator Hope Uzodinma, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Author Nzeribe etc. while Governor Rochas is leading the other side…

I begin every programme with Novena – CGC Commissioner

The Commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro has attributed the success of her ministry so far to the power of Novena. A Novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition. Speaking during an interactive session with the press on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute resolution in the state, Barr. Nnanna-Okoro said God is using Governor Rochas Okorocha to bring peace to several communities most of which have been in turmoil for decades following ezeship tussles. Emphasizing the efficacy of Novena prayer, Mrs. Nnanna-Okoro, a Lady of St. Mulumba, said trouble laden communities now enjoy peace, adding…