We must not build in vain

“We must not build in vain” is the title of the opening address of the Grand Administrator and Director, Supreme Board of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), otherwise known as the Rosicrucian Order, Dr. Kenneth Idiodi, at this year’s Lagos conclave of the AMORC, held on May 13 in Ikeja.

The seminar was attended by hundreds of AMORC members and thousands of their friends. In his address, Idiodi said socio-economic development was a most welcome theme for Lagos zone’s conclave, coming as it did during these austere times in Nigeria.

He said because of the enormous blessings that God has bestowed on Nigeria in human and material resources, our country has often been described as the jewel of Africa.

According to Idiodi, Nigeria should have been an advanced nation by now, with multiple highways and fly-overs crisscrossing the land, elegant suspension bridges hanging over valleys and rivers, high speed electric trains running on railways and sub-ways below, clean mega-cities efficiently administered with uninterrupted power supply and adorned with beautiful environmentally friendly buildings, world-class educational institutions churning out acclaimed scholars vast farms producing quality food, industries of all types producing equipment and various devices for the populace tourist-friendly recreational facilities bustling with activity, and a place where peace, security, prosperity and opportunity abide.

The grand administrator continued: “When you visualise this and compare it to the present situation in Nigeria, the contrast is so stark that it is pitiful. “And why is it that Nigeria has failed to become the pride of Africa and the black race?”

The blame falls on all of us, as citizens. There isn’t any justification to place the blame on our leaders, who are the products of this society and whose problems are rooted in this society.

“And this is why Rosicrucianism is of vital importance in the world today. The greater the number of individuals equipped with the techniques of resolving personal problems, the better the society will be, and of course, the better nation.

“The Rosicrucian path incorporates both metaphysics and mysticism. Metaphysics is that which covers intuition, visualisation and healing techniques. Mysticism is simply the process by which you may experience the conscious union with your creator, Divine mind, universal intelligence or what some Rosicrucians call the God of their Hearts.”

This is done by learning and applying natural laws that allow you to experience cosmic consciousness. The Rosicrucian Order does not define the deity; it leaves you free to discover this by reflection. Soon, a deep yearning for self- improvement and moral rectitude develops in the Rosicrucian student, as progress is made along the path of self-mastery.

Idiodi concludes by saying: “The pursuit of health, wealth, happiness and peace are the main goals essential for national prosperity.” ‘Rosicrucianism for socio-economic development,’ as the theme of the conclave, was amplified by Dr. Augustine Agugua of the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, in his lecture.

Therein, he discussed a heart-rending scenario upon which Nigeria was adjudged the worst country for a baby to be born in as at last year. For the welcome address, on behalf of the Lagos Zone of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), its chairman for the 2017 planning committee, Chief Amobi Nwokafor, thanked everyone in attendance, rejoicing over the tumultuous presence of members and well wishers.

Nwokafor disclosed that the global events today, particularly the current economic recession in Nigeria, necessitated that “we develop the capacity to frequently engage our minds in activities that will shape the thinking of members of our society.”

He said it was for that purpose that the Rosicrucians convened the gathering as part of their contribution to the socio- economic development of Nigeria. Nwokafor intimated of Agugua’s improvement agenda for the socio- economic development of Nigeria.

As he had predicted, after the lecture, our lives were never the same again.