Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Bishop Ezeokafor (middle) in a group photograph with priests and some members of CYON shortly after commissioning Regina Nwankwu Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) Skills Acquisition Centre in Abagana, Njikoka LGA.
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has admonished youths to shun unbridled quest for materialism and embrace hard work, honest labour, as well as patience; even as he described life as a gradual process.
Bishop Ezeokafor who gave the admonition at Saint Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, while commissioning Regina Nwankwu Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) Skills Acquisition Centre, expressed deep concern over what he described as a mad rush for quick wealth by the youths.
The outspoken cleric said that the facility would offer young people the opportunity to gradually grow and develop, noting that those who made it in life did not rush it.
‘Life grows gradually and everything grows gradually too. People who made it in life did not rush it. If you rush it, you crash. When you crash it is always very devastating. You grow gradually. What is needed is consistency in trying to make genuine efforts.
‘We thank those who provided the skill acquisition centre. We are happy. I pray our young people should emulate outstanding role models and avoid Yahooism, Mkpurummiri and the rest. Let us learn to follow a humble beginning and climb gradually,’ Bishop Ezeokafor charged.
The charismatic and influential prelate said the current wave of money rituals, yahooism and other atrocious acts being witnessed today called for serious worry, noting that it should be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians. He added that successful people passed through lots of hurdles before they got to the top.
‘All we hear every day are ritual killings all over Nigeria. Young people should take life easy; they should understand that Rome was not built in a day. Slow and steady wins the race. Hard work pays. There’s no gain in money ritual,’ he said.
The Catholic prelate emphasized that the idea of hurrying to become something overnight would never help, warning against the consequences of forcing nature and toeing such path.