By Ignatius Soroibe, Owerri
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, has raised the alarm over the worsening security situation in communities hosting the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), particularly the reported kidnapping of students.
Okorafor called for an urgent review and strengthening of the security architecture around the university and its host communities to safeguard students, lecturers and other members of the academic community.
The Bishop made the call during a Eucharistic Service for Confirmation, Admission and Induction held at St. John’s Anglican Parish, Ihiagwa, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
He described the security situation in the communities around FUTO as increasingly alarming, particularly against the backdrop of reported incidents of student kidnapping.
According to him, the situation requires a coordinated response involving the university authorities, traditional institutions, host communities and relevant security agencies.
Okorafor urged traditional rulers in the affected communities to initiate the establishment of local security guards who, he said, could work in liaison with FUTO authorities and other security stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and security around the university environment.
He stressed that the safety of students and lecturers should be treated as a collective responsibility, urging the host communities to take proactive measures rather than wait until criminal incidents occur.
The Bishop also appealed to the Anglican faithful to sustain the cleaning and proper maintenance of church cemeteries, stressing the need to preserve the resting places of deceased members of the Church.
He observed that cemeteries in many Western countries were often properly maintained and beautified with flowers and other ornaments, and wondered why similar standards could not be adopted in Nigeria.
Okorafor also expressed concern over the persistent culture of lateness to church services among some members of the congregation.
Describing lateness as an unhealthy habit that had become entrenched among some Anglicans, he urged the faithful to cultivate the discipline of arriving early for worship.
In his homily, the Chaplain to the Bishop, Rev. Benjamin Ugorji, charged Christians to demonstrate genuine love devoid of hypocrisy.
Taking his text from Romans 12:9, Ugorji urged the faithful to allow their love to be sincere, admonishing them to “abhor what is evil” and “cling to what is good.”
He maintained that genuine Christian love must go beyond verbal professions to practical acts of compassion, solidarity and service to others.
The cleric cited the early Apostles as examples of Christians who demonstrated sacrificial and unrestrained love, noting that their willingness to share their burdens and challenges contributed significantly to the growth of the early Church.
He consequently urged Christians to extend their love to the poor, vulnerable and less privileged members of society, stressing that helping to bear one another’s burdens remained a practical expression of sincere Christian fellowship.
Ugorji further reminded the congregation that every believer had been endowed with spiritual gifts meant to edify the Church and strengthen the body of Christ.
He called on Christians to undertake honest self-evaluation to identify and deploy their gifts for the common good, warning against both underestimating and overrating oneself.
The cleric cautioned Christians against what he described as false self-assessment, urging them instead to embrace humility, sincerity and responsible use of their God-given abilities.
