…Urges Awka stakeholders to resolve communal crisis
By Ndu Chris Nwannah, Guest Writer and Ian Koloson Nwiyi, Reporter, Awka Times
The Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, Most Reverend Alex Ibezim says the birth of Jesus Christ paved the way for the peace of God among nations.
Most Reverend Ibezim who is also the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese stated this in a sermon during a Eucharistic Service to celebrate the Christmas at Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka.
He described Christ as the king of peace and charged all segments of the society to marshal out plans to entrench peace in families and across the nation.
The Anglican prelate noted that the church had a great role to play in preaching peace to promote national reconciliation and development.
Most Reverend Ibezim lamented the growing communal crisis in Awka and other parts of the nation and urged the people to be agents of peace by allowing the gospel to touch their hearts.
According to him, it was important for the Awka chieftaincy and communal problem to be amicably settled to guard against degenerating into bloodletting.
Speaking in an interview with Awka Times, a former Special Adviser in the Presidency, Senator Ben Ndi Obi who was at the service, said the celebration challenges citizens to pursue peace as a means of harnessing justice in the society.
Senator Obi charged political, community and religious leaders to propagate the message of peace among all races.
Other parishioners expressed delight over the opportunity to be part of the celebration, which they described as a great uniting factor among Christian denominations and other religious groups.
The service featured prayers and thanksgiving.
