Covid-19: Bishop Onuoha sues for equitable distribution of relief items

...To avert punishment as that of Biblical Elisha’s servant

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okigwe South of Imo State, the Rt. Rev. David Onuoha has called on all tiers of government in the country to mind way and manner they appropriate relief items meant for the suffering masses during the lockdown occasioned by the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

L-R: Proff. Chinedum Nwajiuba; Bishop David Onuoha & Mrs. Blessing Onuoha, wife of the bishop at the Unveiling/ distribution of the food items at the Diocesan Central Office, Ezeoke, Nsu

The Bishop made this disclosure at the Diocesan Central Office Complex, Episcopal Villa, Ezeoke Nsu, Ehime -Mbano Local Government Areas of the state, during the first phase of the diocesan food items distribution to indigent members of the church and non-members in the area as a way of assisting them in cushioning the effect of the current lockdown brought about by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Bishop said if the government officials fail to heed the call to equitably share the items and also to avoid enriching themselves from the proceeds of the palliative, the consequences may surpass that of the servant of biblical Elisha.

“We remember an incident in the bible where the servant of prophet Elisha fraudulently received from Naeman; cloths, gold and silver against his master’s will. He and his generation also got the disease the man had been healed of.

“Those at both the national and state levels who use their privileged positions to appropriate what is meant for the poor, the needy and the less privileged should know that they are also taking over the poverty and diseases those materials were meant to alleviate, and these shall remain in their families from generation to generation.

The Ven. Chukwudi Ekeanyanwu, Clerical Synod Secretary trying to sort out the items with other priests

He stated that in the ongoing phase, they would be able to reach out to a total of 1000 households already identified across the three local government areas that make up the diocese namely; Ehime-Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo.

He said that as the church’s little way of encouraging people to keep hope alive in this trying period, each household will get a bag of 10kg rice and a cash of N3,000.00.

The Lord bishop said the diocese will continue this practical evangelism even after the pandemic, he prayed that God in no distant time will intervene and roll this scourge away by that same power he wielded against death that saw the heavy stone on the grave of Christ rolled away to gave him victory over death.

He also appealed to members to show love and understanding as the church may not have the resources at the moment to reach out to all the indigenes of the area since all are affected, he therefore said, “We must not lose sight of the fact that there are those who are worse hit by the current lockdown imposed by our governments as a way of containing the spread of this pandemic.

Distribution of relief materials at one of the parishes in the diocese, by Ven. T. Anyanwu at St. Simon’s, Ikperejere

“Our heart goes out to those whose daily survival depends on what they realize from their struggle each day and can no longer struggle as before because of the lockdown.”

He reminded that this is the time to show compassion as embodied in Christ, show love, practical Christianity and a time to see Jesus in their neighbours, admonishing that only what one gives away enriches him.

Bishop Onuoha who is also the Secretary, House of Bishop’s(Episcopal Secretary) Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion called on the government to offer the church a window of opportunity to approach God in repentance and penitence for the good of mankind, as it has become obvious that the solution to this problem lies more in the hand of God.

On the ravaging pandemic, he reminded the people of the area that it is real, charged them to observe the rules given by the government on safety, “Learn to wear the facemask always, wash your hands regularly in running water with soap, and observe social distancing. Stay safe and pray fervently that God will keep us safe,” he said.

He encouraged the citizens to go into farming and frowned at the failure of the government to support farmers which has resulted in the state not being able to provide food for her citizens at this time, and has undoubtedly exposed the level of comatose agriculture suddenly plunged into in the state.

Proff C. Nwajiuba

He thanked the different societies and individuals in the church that bought into the vision and made it work – St Barnabas Charitable Foundation and the entire Anyanwu family, the Diocesan Council of Knights and their chairman, HRM Sir Samuel Urechukwu, men and women Societies. His immense thanks went also to Sir Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba for his many works of charity.