■ As Bishop blames all for Nigeria’s woes
FROM GEOFFREY ANYANWU, AWKA
FORMER Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano and his Enugu State counterpart, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday led other Nigerians to bid farewell to late father of the Anambra State deputy governor, Chief Sir Richard Nwachukwu Okeke, whose remains were laid to rest in his country home, Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka local government.
Also present at the funeral service held at Immanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu- Ukwu were former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; five deputy governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River and Adamawa states; the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu and wife of former governor of Adamawa State, Helima Nyako, who is a daughter of Enugwu-Ukwu.
Others included National and State Assembly members, Senator Uche Ekwunife, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye, his predecessor, Chief Victor Umeh, renowned industrialist, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, and about 100 clergymen including Archbishop of Province of the Niger and Bishop of Aguata, Most Rev. Christian Efobi and Archbishop of Enugu Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma.
In his sermon, Most Rev. Efobi, said Nigerians should put an end to complaints about numerous problems bedeviling the country and rather pray for things to turn around for good.
Accusing all Nigerians of being guilty of the state of affairs in the country, the Archbishop blamed Christians the more, stressing that they were not strong in their prayers to avert some of the problems confronting Nigeria.
He said, “Our country is sick and it is the fault of all of us. We have spoken enough. Now is the time for prayer. We have prayed but we have not prayed hard enough. Prayer is the only solution. We should also prays for our leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors. All hands must be on deck to salvage Nigeria.”
The cleric eulogized the virtues of the late Sir Okeke who died at the age of 88 and was one time General Manager of in charge of electricity at the Nigeria Railway Corporation, for his achievements and contributions to different spheres of human endeavor, adding that he served God with all his heart.