Day Anglican Church honaoured 134 elders

The beneficiaries, dominated by octogenarians and nonagenarians, cut across both the Diocese’s members and those of other denominations like the Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist in the state.The gesture is said to be the first of its kind in the history of the Anglican Church and, indeed, among other denominations in the council.Apart from being decorated […]

The beneficiaries, dominated by octogenarians and nonagenarians, cut across both the Diocese’s members and those of other denominations like the Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist in the state.
The gesture is said to be the first of its kind in the history of the Anglican Church and, indeed, among other denominations in the council.
Apart from being decorated with garlands, the beneficiaries were given gifts that included money, food, drinks and pieces of wrapper.
Speaking at the Diocese’s special Christmas service cum annual harvest held at the Cathedral Church of St Peter, Umuokanne Ohaji, the Bishop of the Diocese, Right Reverend. Chidi Collins Oparaojiaku explained that the Diocese was honouring the aged fathers and mothers in appreciation of their enormous moral and financial contributions to the building of the cathedral in which they were being celebrated.
Rev Oparaojiaku disclosed that the long-term target of the Diocese is to build houses for the elderly and generally take good care of them until they pass on, while regretting that governments in the country have failed to provide such opportunities for the aged in their (governments’) scheme of things. Saying that politicians are only concerned about winning elections, the priest argued that the funds the politicians waste travelling abroad for their personal interest could be channelled into taking care of the country’s elderly.
He urged other churches in Nigeria to replicate the Ohaji/Egbema Diocese’s gesture in their stations, parishes and archdeaconries with a view to adding value to the lives of the aged.
Oparaojiaku, who wept on the death of one of the old people listed to be honoured while the celebration was going on, pointed out that 140 old people were expected at the celebration, but only 134 were present. He added that the Diocese’s representatives would be visiting the remaining five beneficiaries in their respective homes to give them their gifts.
In his sermon at the occasion, Reverend Onyemauche Iwunze, while appreciating the contributions of the beneficiaries to church buildings and offering them prayers to live longer, urged them to use their old age to be upright in whatever they do and be closer to God.
Describing old age as a blessing, Rev Iwunze admonished them to apply their wisdom to positive actions and activities that the younger ones would emulate.
In his brief remark, the chairman of the organizing committee, Ven Godson Ejike said that there was no bias in the names drawn up for the honour and reward as every person considered due for the honour was  contacted and even reached in his/her respective family home.
In his prayer, a 91-year-old beneficiary, Mr Benneth Nwosu asked God to reward the entire Diocese leaders for appreciating the aged in the society, and to strengthen the church of God more so it can  continue to spread the gospel to all parts of the society.
He also prayed to God to touch the heart of the rulers to remember the people of Ohaji/Egbema in the areas of road rehabilitation and electricity/water supply.
Highpoint of the celebration was the cutting of a birthday cake by the aged.