At consecration service, Onuoha enjoins christians to give thanks to God

The Archbishop-elect of the Province of Owerri and Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, Most Rev. David O.C. Onuoha (DOCO), has enjoined Christians to always cultivate the culture of thanksgiving to God.

At the Consecration Thanksgiving Service of the new Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Benjamin Okeke and wife, Nneobioma Uloma Okeke, at All Saints Anglican Church Amaifeke, Orlu, the cleric, who quoted Psalms 92:1, said it is good to give thanks to the Lord. He explained how God changed the curse placed on a man to blessing simply because of the cheerful sacrifice of thanksgiving by Noah. He regretted that some people prefer to celebrate their success in negative ways instead of a thankful life to God and as such they incur the wrath of God, instead of His blessing.

He urged his audience to see God’s blessings in their lives and continually give thanks to Him.

“Nigerians should not always complain, but cultivate a culture of thanksgiving and be blessed more,” he said. Noting that the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Bishop of Orlu all hail from Orlu, Onuoha asked the people to be thankful to God, Who alone could raise men up. DOCO, who became the Assistant Episcopal Secretary of the Church of Nigeria from his first year of consecration about 15 years ago, and then the Episcopal Secretary till date, said the election of Bishop Okeke was very unique. This, he said, could only be the Lord’s doing and should not be taken for granted.

The Bishop of Okigwe enjoined the new Bishop not to be distracted by any side attraction, as it is not the beginning, but the end that really matters. Onuoha, who admonished him to be accountable to God and insists on moving with God’s presence like Moses, urged the new Bishop to look unto God and depend on Him.

The preacher also counselled Governor Uzodimma, who graced the event, to talk less and do more, so that people would see his works and glorify God. Addressing the congregation later, the Governor, promised to do his best for the development of Imo State. The Governor, who attended the event with his Deputy Governor, Speaker, Ag. Chief Judge, Deputy Speaker, Secretary to Government, Chief of Staff and Deputy, Head of Service, all Commissioners and Special Advisers in Imo State, said he had identified with the new Bishop right from the time he was ordained Deacon in 1991 and that he had always prayed for him and offered him spiritual counsel and encouragement in his political career. He gave the Bishop a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Jeep 2020 model. While his home church and community also gave him a 4-matic Mercedes Benz Jeep.

The thanksgiving service was attended by all Anglican Bishops in Imo State, the clergy from different parts of the country, including the Rector of Ibru Centre Agbarha-otor, traditional rulers, politicians including the Chairperson of Orlu Council, Senators and House of Reps members, academics and the cream of the society.