The Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace, Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, JP played host to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,(NUJ) Anambra state council led.by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, even as he predicted that Nigeria is likely to witness the emergence of Christian-Muslim presidency in the 2023 election.
Though, the Anglican Prelate failed to disclose which among the contesting presidential candidates in the country he feels may clinch the seat of the presidency, he said the winner will boast a Christian-Muslim combination.
The Archbishop made the prediction during a press conference with journalists in Awka, shortly after a courtesy call by the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, Monday, as part of the preparations to mark his 60th years birthday anniversary which comes up on Friday August 5th, 2022 at Emmaus House Awka.
Speaking on the state of Anglican under his watch in Awka diocese, province of the Niger and the state of the nation, respectively, Archbishop Ibezim noted that the All Progressives Congress who chose the option of Muslim-Muslim ticket will be surprised at the outcome of the election, describing the move as insensitivity to the place of Christians in the country.
According to Archbishop Ibezim, “I am looking at Christian-Muslim leadership. That is, Christian should be on top while moslem comes under. That is what I’m looking at. But if one says it is Muslim-Muslim leadership the outcome will be a surprise because Christians cannot be categorized as nothing.
“We need to be holistic and truthful to ourselves, we must recognize that the church must not be played with.
“It is important that Christians should have a say in government because we are not second class citizens. By the time you start treating Christians as second class citizens, you have failed.
“So, it is in the interest of Nigeria that the church succeeds because anywhere that the church did not succeed, that place will go back to darkness.”
Archbishop Ibezim further blamed the reported endorsement of APC Vice-Presidential Candidates by alleged team of fake bishops on the proliferation of churches in the country, warning that it is a sign of satanic agenda to attack and disrupt the church.
“I can’t blame them because proliferation has entered into the church. Nowadays, many people dress up and call themselves bishops and through this, the enemy has been attacking the church.
“But my own advise is this, if you claim that you are a bishop, let it be that God sent you. But if you are using God to deceive the people, the church and the nation, then get ready to pay the price because nobody will deceive the church of God and go free.
“What is taking place now is a sign of end time and the bible says that in the period of end times, perilous things will start to happen.”
He urged the people to be careful and avoid being induced into actions that will make them change their identity and enter enmity with Jesus Christ.
The foremost Anglican Prelate also lamented the sufferings of Nigerians in the hands of the federal government insisting that the government of the nation has repeatedly failed to deliver the required good governance it promised the people.
“The government has failed the country and the people are suffering. Our children have stayed almost six months at home doing nothing.
“I say it clearly, the government has failed. The country has changed from bad to worst. What I see in this government is a complete failure and until we begin to address this failures constructively with truth then, things might get worst.”
He said those at the corridors of power must wake up and live to their responsibility as the leaders of the country if the country should be revived again.
This is coming as Archbishop Ibezim Calls For Professional Reportage From Journalists
The Archbishop, Province of the Niger, and Bishop Diocese of Awka Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has encouraged Journalists to be professional with their reportage.
Archbishop Ibezim gave the encouragement while receiving the executive members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council led by Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, who paid him a courtesy visit in Awka.
The prelate, who urged journalists to be fair with their reportage, shun disaffection, but to serve as watchdogs of the society, described the work of the media as herculean, noting that journalists are frontliners, visiting dangerous places in order to feed the society with activities of the day.
He thanked the state NUJ chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, JP for his leadership style in the state, while saying that the diocese is open to motivational criticism from journalists and called on them to portray the church’s image on a good light.
Earlier, Dr. Odogwu said the visit was to appreciate the Archbishop for his remarkable achievements in the diocese of Awka and Province of the Niger.
He described the prelate as number one ecumenical church leader in Anambra and commended his efforts in moving Anglican communion forward.
Dr. Odogwu outlined some unprecedented development of the prelate, which includes scholarship awards, succor to the needy, job creations and infrastructure development , empowerment and establishment of schools among others in the diocese and urged him not to relent.
He reassured him of the partnership of the media in the state even as he called for more interactive session with the media on quarterly basis.
