By: Barikui Felix
A clergyman named Bishop Enoch Atuboyedia has urged religious and political leaders to exercise caution and prudence in light of the recent events in the nation and Rivers State in particular, stating that “the days are evil.”
Speaking to reporters at a pre-session briefing in Port Harcourt, Atuboyedia, the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okrika in Rivers State, made the accusation.
He disclosed that the 1st Session of the 8th Synod of the Diocese would be held from May 1st to May 5th at the Okrika West Archdeaconry.
Speaking on the synod’s theme, “Walking Circumspective,” the clergyman emphasized the importance of being aware of what is going on around them, particularly in Nigeria, in order to avoid falling into difficult times.
He also highlighted some of the church’s achievements during the previous synod year, particularly in the areas of evangelism and welfarism.
“We have looked at the society and we have looked at the times we find ourselves. You find out that many of us are careless about what is going on. It is our burden to call all of us back to Christ and to make sure that we know what we are doing and we know where we are going because the days are evil. Politically, economically and otherwise and even religiously, the days are evil and there is need for us to become circumspect,” he stated.
Given the economic downturn ravaging the country and the church, Atuboyedia stated that his diocese has been very sensitive to the plight of its members, carrying out youth, women, and men empowerments to raise their standard of living.
He stated that the Diocese trained approximately 1600 youths in various skills earlier this year, while 36 men and women were provided with fishing gear and other tools to help them with their trade.
“As a diocese, we don’t just carryout verbal or scriptural evangelism, we also carryout welfare package evangelism just to mention a few.
“There are things we are doing and already, there are 15 youths on scholarship and their fees are being paid by the Diocese and just as I said earlier, there are empowerment packages for our youths and in this year’s August there will be another one. So we are not negligent in that area too,” he added.
Atuboyedia also took the opportunity to express the church’s gratitude to the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for remodeling and rebuilding the Okrika Grammar School, which is under the church’s control.
“One of the things we have achieved in the past Synod year is the remodeling and rebuilding of Okrika Grammar School and it’s commissioning by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. We thank him as a church and we are grateful unto him and we pray that the good Lord will bless him and also restore him fully,” he said.
