Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has urged church leaders to be more concerned about the welfare of their flocks than their personal interests.

Making the call during the consecration of four new Bishops of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Governor Obiano asked the bishops to be shepherds to their flocks and not wolves.

Noting that Christians and Christendom in Nigeria were passing through a trying period, the governor insisted that the only way the Church would prevail, was if it were united, irrespective of denominational affiliations.

Governor Obiano assured them that his administration would continue to be supportive to the church for the propagation of the gospel in the state and beyond.

Speaking to newsmen after the service, the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev.Nicholas Okoh, called on Christians yet to register for next year’s elections to get registered while those yet to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), to do so without further delay.

He said, “You should not only get your PVC, but also register and belong to political parties to contest in the 2019 general election.

“Time has gone when people make false claim of politics being dirty. Christians should not continue to sit on the fence concerning politics and, in the process, allow those not worthy to lead them to take their positions.

“I know that your voters card may be hanging elsewhere, whether there is heavy rain fall or sunshine, persevere and ensure that you register and collect your voters card.

“Get involved in party politics, not only that you will vote, ask to be voted for. Do not say I am very tired and the sun is too much, go and pick your voters card and also join political parties of your choice.

“Do not say politics is a dirty game, it is not a dirty game, even if it is dirty, wash it to be clean and stop allowing people who ordinarily do not qualify to represent you because of nonchalant attitude.”

In his sermon titled “the challenge of leadership in a time like this,” earlier in the service, the host and Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, lamented the wanton killings of innocent Nigerians across the country and charged the Federal Government to rise to the challenge.

In the words of Rev. Nwokolo, “The Federal Government must stop such attacks if they are sure the country will hold the 2019 general elections. You should not pretend that you are not hearing the cries of the people. There are killings, maiming and sacking of people from their various communities in Nigeria.

“Christians have been subjected to killings that have never been witnessed in the country, by people hiding under the name of herdsmen. No amount of intimidation and harassment of Christians in Nigeria will make them derail from what the Bible says.”

The newly consecrated bishops were Rt. Rev. Godwin Awoke, Bishop of Ngbo Diocese; Rt. Rev. Prosper Amah, Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese; Rt. Rev Wisdom Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger-Delta North and Rt. Rev. Solomon Akambi, Bishop of Offa.