Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Rev Fr Batholomew Ezeokafor of Pope John Paul Major Seminary, Okpuno, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has called on the citizenry to participate actively in the nation’s political process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards to elect credible people into offices.
He described PVC as a vital instrument needed to enthrone good leadership that would impact on the lives of the masses, even as he disclosed that eligible persons had three weeks to obtain the card.
Delivering the sermon during a thanksgiving Mass for a successful end of mourning period for Mrs Monica Kutanya Ogbutor, at St Francis Catholic Church, Enugwu Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Rev Fr Ezeokafor frowned on the nonchalant attitude of the people towards the exercise.
The late Mrs Ogbutor, who was laid to rest last year at her compound, Umuogbudike Urunebo, Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Council Area, was the mother-in-law of Prof Theresa Obiekezie, immediate past Commissioner for Youth Empowerment.
According to Fr Ezeokafor, PVC was necessary to stop what he described as the business as usual approach to governance by some politicians, whom, he said, had mortgaged the future of the masses.
Commenting on the significance of Pentecost Sunday, he urged Christians to always manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit in their lives, have the fear of God and resist temptations to enable them to be overcomers.
‘I believe that the tongues of fire shall touch us to begin to act for the betterment of society and with the fire of the Lord, we shall begin to understand ourselves the more,’ he added.
Mrs Chinyere Ejeagwa, daughter of the late Mrs Ogbutor, described her mother as a peace loving person who was always there for her, while Engr Chinedu Ogbutor, son, praised what he described as her unique qualities.
Contributing, the immediate past Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Prof Theresa Obiekezie, expressed gratitude to God for seeing them through the period of mourning, even as she affirmed that a new lease of life was expected to enter the family.