By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Servants of God, under the body of Christian Association of Igbo Ministers in Lagos, recently gathered in Lagos to intercede for Nigeria and Nigerians.
The ministers, who came from near and far, converged on House of Shepherd Church, Lakeview Estate, Phase 2, in Isolo, for their annual summit. The programme, holding for the sixth year, was described as timely, as Nigeria prepares for the 2023 elections.
The two-day programme was attended by the president of Alaba International Market, Pauline Ugochukwu, Ngozi Nwoke from Republic of Benin and Rev. Alfra Robinson from United States of America, among others.
Activities marking the event included intercessory prayers, inspirational songs, review of last year’s event and donations, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, the guest speaker, Ugochukwu, said, “It is time for God to hear the cry of the Igbo as He did for the Israelites of old. This is because the Igbo have suffered enough being slaves in their own father’s land.”
He lamented that the problem of the Igbo people started in 1966 when they were in control of everything in the country, including the security forces.
He bemoaned the marginalisation of the Igbo and called on God to deliver them from their oppressors.
Ugochukwu warned the youths that God’s anger is always kindled against those who worship idols. He urged them to shun cultism and embrace Jesus Christ as the solution to man’s problems. He also counselled every young man in the eastern part of the country to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
The former spare parts dealer, who has a manufacturing industry of sound systems in Anambra State, vowed to replicate Alaba International Market in the state, for the economic growth of the region.
“We don’t want what happened during the civil war to repeat itself. We want peace to reign in Nigeria and as Christians we are praying for all Nigerians,” he said.
The chairman of Igbo Ministers, Lagos chapter, Charles Idu, remarked that there were 13 chapters in Lagos, cutting across Amuwo, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Ayobo, among others. He said they also have chapters in South East states, as well as Delta State, while those in the Diaspora have theirs.
He added: “We are uniting the Igbo race through the gospel, not through war. This is our goal.
“We build bridges for the Igbo to cross and succeed. We fellowship and pray for Igbo technocrats and other well-meaning Nigerians, which is the mandate of the group, and, with many fathers of faith, such as Mike Okonkwo, Anslem Erumakah and Umah Ukpai, among others, championing the crusade.
“With all that is happening in the eastern states, we need to change the narrative of Ndi-Igbo through prayers. We cannot make headway with continuous killings and destruction of property,” he said.
A United State-based clergyman of New Hope Prophetic Ministry, Rev. Robinson, was also one of the guests at the summit. He is into charity work and with different branches of churches across Africa.
The man of God said there was the need for Africa to keep its culture, and called on all Igbo in the Diaspora to contribute their own quota to liberate the Igbo people.