The Bishop, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese on the Niger State, Dr. Owen Nwokolo, has called on political leaders not to see themselves as owners of the earth but as messengers of God.
Accordingly, he called on them to work for God’s people instead of for themselves, as the 2019 general election approaches.
Bishop Nwokolo said that the president and other exhibit a high sense of religious tolerance.
He said those who were insensitive to the sufferings and aspirations of the masses should not aspire to be leaders.
The bishop spoke during a thanksgiving of Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, on the successful celebration of his 17th Ofala Festival held at St. Monica’s Anglican Church, Woliwo, Onitsha.
Bishop Nwokolo, who was represented at the service by the parish priest in charge of St Monica’s Anglican Church, Rev. Chinedu Nnatuanya, during the sermon, called on political, religious and traditional leaders to see themselves as managers of God’s property, people selected by God to work for the masses.
“Whatever position we find ourselves, we are just managers of God’s property because the earth and the whole universe belong to God and not man. We must therefore not pretend to be owners of the earth because of the position we find ourselves.
“In anything you do, you must acknowledge the supremacy of God because he owns everything, including you. God is everywhere; He sees us and knows all about us, without God we can do nothing and if God is with you, no one will be against you,” the bishop said.
He thanked Igwe Achebe for humbling himself by making it a point of duty to give thanks to God after each Ofala festival for the past 17 years on his throne.
Obi of Onitsha, , promised his throne would always ensure religious peace, harmony and development in Onitsha and Anambra State in general.
Igwe Achebe, who was accompanied to the church by members of his traditional council; the men of Otu Agbalanze; women of Otu Odu; Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area and President, Onitsha Ado Youth Council, Honorable Pat Agha-Mba, and a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Cyril Egwuatu, thanked the bishop for the good religious and developmental work he was doing in Onitsha and in the Diocese on the Niger in general.
