Death as the Road To Life

Christ has one personal identity to save and to reveal, and one mission to fulfill. Now to reveal His identity and to fulfill His mission, to save the truth of His life, He is disposed to all, even to loose His physical life. The “unconditional” and absolute decision to be Himself and fulfill His Mission at “any” cost is the supreme act of faithfulness (obedience) to God.   An Identity To Reveal And A Mission To Fulfill The loss of one’s life (death) is the “sign”, the verification and  absolute “test” of fidelity to one’s identity and mission received from the Father is therefore the act with which life is saved. Now what is the…

Priest tasks ‘Opara Imo’- At Thanksgiving Mass

The winner of the highly promoted “Opara Imo”, cultural competition, Mr. Kenneth Ikenna Nwadike has been advised to be a true ambassador of Imo State and use both the money and the brand new car he won judiciously. The Administrator of Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha gave the advice during a thanksgiving Mass by the Opara Imo at Assumpta Cathedral, June 2. The Administrator reminded the Opara Imo that all eyes are now on him and should therefore aspire to live exemplary life worthy of his new status. He advised him to take his faith seriously so as to attract people to Christ. Interestingly, the new Opara Imo is an internationally acclaimed…

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…

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…

Town Unions and Community Governing Council In Imo State

A town union is an association formed by members of a particular community for the socio-economic development of that community. Accordingly, town union collaborates with traditional administration, government at all levels and sometimes non-governmental agencies to achieve its aim. Town unions existed in communities in Nigeria even before colonialism. Interestingly, when the colonial masters came to the country, they also associated with town unions and made adequate use of them to foster their mission. With the country’s independence and the constitutional provision on Freedom of Association, town unions became stronger institutions. Also, with the promulgation of the Companies and Allied matters Act, town unions are now incorporated as legal persons. Today, many town unions are…

A jewel in his Crown

In his hay days, Pius Ukaga was a simple, easygoing, ever smiling, hardworking and amiable man. Agriculturist by profession, when he became Eze Obibi in 2003, he took those qualities with him, aided by a reliable cabinet, peaceful community, supportive children, especially a resourceful first son. But the jewel in his crown was his Emii-born witty wife, a diligent and resilient woman, the Eze’s one and only spouse and companion of 55 years. It is she, the Ugoeze, who has held his hand in good and bad times. With her by his side, there was no obstacle the crown couldn’t overcome.  Ugoeze Beatrice onyegenonu, a retired school teacher is a woman who knows her community…

30 couples unite in Holy Matrimony at St. Mary’s Iho

Couples have been advised to remain faithful to their marriage vows and to avoid indulging in extra-marital affairs or living polygamous life. The sermon was given to the 30 couples who were joined in matrimony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Iho on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  The officiating priest at the wedding who is also the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Amadi encouraged the couples to always stand firm on their faith.  Fr. Amadi emphasized the importance of receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony saying that a man who keeps a woman in his house without wedding her lives in bondage of sin. The homilist, Rev. Fr. Romanus Onwuasonye thanked God for life and the chief…

Exclusive Interview: Why I converted to Catholic faith

-          Former Anglican  Knight, Sir Abel Ikenyiri   Chief Sir Abel Ezeala Ikenyiri, native of Umuemeke-Ama Ibeowere Agbaja, Ehime Mbano LGA, Imo State, born into a family of Anglican ancestry, rose to the ranks of a knight of the Anglican Church and lay pay-master narrates verbatim how he was caught up in the “whirlwind” of Catholic faith and the “mountain” moved over. Our Okigwe reporter, PeterClaver Ubochi, traced the former Anglican ‘Big Oga’ to his tranquil Umuemekeama (Agbaja) village, had a field day with the man of faith as he speaks on the circumstances of his conversion, its aftermath, an assessment of his family life then as an Anglican, and now as a Catholic.  Welcome on…

Re-invigorating NDDC For Developmental Challenges (5)

Without doubt, efficient and effective performance of NDDC operators call for additional provisions. These provisions are in terms of structures, equipments and facilities, including personnel of various categories, and these require bold funding through improved budgetary provisions by the Federal Government. To avoid stressing so far, the bold funding should be basically implemented on a scrupulous and realistic cost estimates, after a prudent appraisal of the requirement of the various NDDC offices including the challenges they are grappling with in terms of availability of these structure, equipments, and other facilities. Management experts have stressed that adequate structures, equipments and personnel make for optimum staff utilization for high productivity and that in planning for these, a…

Auto crash: Why Okorocha was not treated in Government hospital

Insecurity and protracted labour dispute between the State Government and staff of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), were reasons why Governor Rochas Okorocha was not taken to the hospital for treatments when he was involved in an auto crash recently. Okorocha’s vehicle had head-on collision with another vehicle belonging to one Osita Nnawuihe on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Umuoma, Orlu, while driving himself without the usual outriders and government house ambulance. Daily Sun learnt that the governor was rushed to St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa where he received first aid, while Nnawuihe was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri for treatment. The State Government and the teaching hospital…