Opinion I As Bishop Okpaleke Bows Out In Grand Style

AS BISHOP OKPALEKE BOWS OUT IN GRAND STYLE

        

The last time I checked, Bishop Peter Okpaleke had graciously tendered his resignation, which implies that he’s not anymore meant to be regarded as the Head of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese situated in the ancient Mbaise nation. It’s noteworthy that the abrupt action was not unconnected with the series of endless controversies experienced by the said clergy since inception of office.

        

The Papacy under the watch of Pope Benedict XVI had upon the demise of Bishop Victor Chikwe – the immediate past and pioneer bishop of the Ahiara Diocese – approved the nomination of a Catholic priest, Rev. Peter Okpalaeke who hails from Awka in Anambra State to serve as the bishop of the diocese. Amazingly, the named clergy was outrightly rejected by virtually all the Catholic faithful in the diocese, stating that the favoured priest did not possess the required qualities to super-head the communion.

        

One of their reasons was that Rev. Okpalaeke does not hail from Mbaise. According to them, it was a grievous blunder for the Pope not to find anyone among over seven hundred (700) Catholic priests of Mbaise origin worthy to serve as the bishop of the Ahiara Diocese. They equally lamented that Rev. Okpalaeke does not speak a dialect that could be comprehended by the members of the diocese, thus could not be ordained to lead them.

          

Notwithstanding, the appointed clergy was eventually ordained amidst the protest. Owing to the unwelcoming attitude of the aggrieved worshippers, the ordination took place outside the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral of the Ahiara Diocese – Agbala in Owerri North LGA precisely – amid tight security. It was the first time in the history of the Catholic communion a prospective bishop would be ordained at a venue situated outside the diocese he was supposed to oversee.

        

It’s worth noting that after the ordination, the rebellion became more intense. Since then, the seat has been apparently hot for the innocent Bishop Peter Okpaleke who has mostly been operating from the Diaspora. In spite of the order from the Pope, instructing the Catholic faithful in the diocese to unanimously sheathe their swords, the people remain hell-bent towards ensuring that their own becomes the bishop of the diocese.

        

In a recent communiqué from the Papacy under the reign of Pope Francis I, precisely on 8^th June 2017, having received a delegation from the Ahiara Diocese, all members of the diocesan clergy – including the priests and deacons – were given 30 days ultimatum to personally write the Vatican pledging their unflinching obedience to the Pope and unconditionally accepting Bishop Okpalaeke.

        

Based on the directive, those who failed to write would be suspended a ‘divinis’, which would prohibit such priest or deacon from administering any of the sacraments save for a clergy hearing the confession of a person in danger of death, and would equally be removed from their posts.

        

It’s mind-boggling and indeed ridiculous to realize that the religious extremism, which could best be described as amusing and irrational, wasn’t only ignited and fueled by the laity council in the diocese but rather has the full support of most of the Catholic priests from the area who are expected to be more informed regarding the Catholic extant custom.

        

Ever since the melodrama began, I chose to be mindful of my utterances in the public domain thereby making my person seemed not unlike a mere onlooker, knowing fully well that issues pertaining to religion are highly sensitive and delicate, hence ought to be handled as such. My muteness continued unabated not until penultimate year when I thought it wise to wake from the slumber having keenly observed that the incidence was liable to degenerate into an untold crisis if it failed to receive an apt attention. In view of that decision, I objectively wrote a piece titled ‘the trending intriguing politics in Ahiara Diocese’.

        

Lest I forget, two factors ab initio made me not to be too surprised or shocked over the lingered altercation in Ahiara Diocese. One of them was that I grew up to understand that religion harbours politics. Since the world came into existence, the former has ceased to dissociate itself from the latter. Prior to the emergence of Pope Benedict XI (rtd.), what transpired therein made me draw a holistic conclusion that politics is arguably ubiquitous. If the above hypothesis as regards politics and religion holds water, then the Ahiara Diocese ought not to be an exception.

         

Another pertinent factor is the fact that the people of the Mbaise nation have been known for their unison. Mbaise as a people are so apparently united that they invariably, or do not hesitate to, act as a body whenever it calls for action. This remains a core feature outsiders envy about them. It’s then needless to assert that the ensued saga in Ahiara Diocese was an epitome of what the Mbaise nation represents. However, it’s worthy of note that sometimes a cause pursued vigorously in unison could be misleading and preposterous.

          

Though the apology letters were tendered by the concerned priests and members of the laity council as directed by the Papacy, the apparent war ceased to end afterwards. Among all, in spite of the countless reactions of the public coupled with various authorities cum stakeholders, the religious extremists remained hell bent towards actualizing their uncalled and weird quest.  

          

Hence, three weeks ago, the much-criticized Bishop Opkaleke who was consecrated in 2012 resigned, triggering mixed feelings among the Christendom in various quarters. The letter of resignation reads in part “I am convinced that my remaining the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese is no longer beneficial to the Church. I do not think that my apostolate in a diocese, where some of the priests and lay faithful are ill-disposed to have me in their midst, would be effective”. In response, an epistle said to have emanated from the Pontiff on 19^th February 2018, accepted the resignation in good faith.

          

In consequence to the latest development, the Pope appointed the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Dr. Luciuos Ugorji as the Apostolic Administrator of the Ahiara diocese, pending when another substantive bishop would be consecrated to lead the Catholic communion.

         

As Bishop Okpaleke resigns in style, it would be needless to notify the Mbaise congregants that the Pope may decide not to deploy any other clergy as the Bishop of the diocese, and they are aware the implications of such decision if eventually taken by the Papacy. More so, the Supreme Pontiff might as well decide to merge the diocese with the Owerri Archdiocese where the affected worshippers initially belonged.

        

This among others is the reason they must be willing to accept any other appointee of the Papacy irrespective of his origin, because based on the doctrine of the Catholic Church, the latter may not succumb to the frivolous request of the former.

        

So inasmuch as I commend Bishop Okpaleke for taking such a bold step for the interest of the Church of Christ, there’s a compelling need for the congregants to tread with caution and equally acknowledge that the church belongs to nobody. Think about it!   

      

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

 

 

ShortStory I Derailed Homosapien (II)

 

DERAILED HOMOSAPIEN (II)

       On their part, Mr. Adesokan’s colleagues who were seated at distant locations weren’t aware of what really went on or what was discussed between them, though they weren’t interested either since such meeting wasn’t unusual among teachers and students or mentors and mentees, as the case may be.

        Besides, being a new teacher, they were of the opinion that Mr. Adesokan needed to meet privately with some of his students, especially the serious-minded ones, to intimate him on the journey so far.

        The close relationship between Yetunde and Mr. Adesokan who was happily married with four kids – three males and a female – commenced as planned. It successfully metamorphosed into an intimate one, and continued unabated for several weeks to the extent that her fellow students became envious. She was obviously enjoying the togetherness.

        None of his colleagues, or any member of the school management, fathomed the actual motive that informed the closeness. When any of them decided to think otherwise, he or she would be beclouded or lobbied by a notion that the tutor in question was a very decent and respectable man.

        Subsequently, the intimacy became juicier to Yetunde that her innocent mindset never foresaw any pranks. It proceeded until one fateful day when her fantasies yielded a rude reality. On that fateful day, the awful but hidden truth dawned upon her person.

        On the aforesaid day, Yetunde paid a scheduled visit to Mr. Adesokan at a lodging spot. He had during the weekdays asked her to pay him a visit by the weekend, Saturday precisely, and she obliged. But he lied to her that she was coming to his family house; she was told that he wanted her to meet with his family especially his wife towards ensuring that she became a friend to not only him but his entire family.

        The moment the vulnerable creature arrived at the proposed venue for the meeting at about 3:15pm on Saturday, 11^th June 2011, she needed not an interpreter to notify her that she was within a hotel arena. Though she was initially nervous but was later consoled by a perceived presumption that the hotel could be just a place where her intended host wanted to receive her before proceeding to his family house to enable her locate the address with ease.

        The curiosity and perturbation continued till Mr. Adesokan majestically walked out of the bar where he was relaxing having received an alert from the august visitor via phone call, and signalled her to come over. As soon as she got to the point where he was standing, which was the main entrance to the bar, he ushered her into the building and took her to the position he was chilling with a bottle of stout beer.

       “My little angel.” he cheerily tendered. “You are really looking pretty and gorgeous.”

        She apprehensively replied with a smile.

      “Now I know,” he said. “The uniform I have been seeing you in has been hiding your real beauty.”

        His dubious compliment was not unlike pouring water on gravel. She wasn’t moved by it not even a bit.

      “Please have your seat.” He urged, smiling.

        The 14-year-old teen sluggishly sat on one of the seats sited at the corner, looking pale. “Have I been deceived?” She thought.

        Other guests, who were equally catching funs at the bar, were seated at strategic locations.

       “Pretty,” Mr. Adesokan who was putting on a pair of black jeans, blue T-shirt and brown lather slippers tenderly called. “You are not looking happy.” He observed.

         Yetunde who was clad in a pink skirt, white polo and ash sandals, slightly adjusted herself, still sceptical and quiet. She was chocolate, plump and tall, and unarguably a very pretty girl that her beauty could be felt by the blind.

        “What is wrong?” The predatory creature calmly enquired in false pretence.

        “Sir,” she called in a low tone. “I thought you said I was coming to meet your family?”

        “Yes, my dear,” he answered. “But…”

        “But what?” she curiously interrupted.

        “They travelled to the village yesterday.” he lied. “Something urgent came up.”

        “Okay ooh!” She grunted sceptically.

        “I’m sorry I didn’t inform you earlier.”

         After some minutes coupled with persuasion, she agreed to take a soft drink. In the long run, her host poured some of his drink into her glass and both drinks mixed instantly. He convinced her that the mixture was more appetizing and nourishing, although his sole intention was to drug her. Therein, she was cajoled into taking drink.

        When she became dizzy as a result of the concoction, he hastily took her to one of the hotel rooms, took off her wears and defiled her. Every action perhaps took place in accordance with his evil plan.

        One month later and incidentally the third term of their academic session, Yetunde took in. Prior to this phase, she never disclosed what transpired between her and Mr. Adesokan at the hotel to anyone. He had promised to shower her with gift items if she remained mute about the outing.

        When her parents noticed the abrupt weird idiosyncrasies she was displaying, her mother took her to a medical laboratory to confirm what was actually wrong with her. She consequently tested positive to pregnancy. The physician rightly informed the mother that her beloved daughter was four weeks pregnant.

        Thereafter, the parents exhorted her to tell them the truth about the unforeseen pregnancy, and she confessed. The young couple, who became devastated by the unthinkable revelation, trembled with rage.

        The moment the news got to her school, the derailed homosapien was outrightly suspended by the school authority, hence was issued with a query. He eventually received a sack letter from his employer, the government.

         Later on, the culprit was arrested by the police, and was charged to court for paedophilia, bestiality and attempted murder. He afterwards got a jail term.

        The rest is history, please.

         

Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

Opinion I As Dapchi Refreshes Chibok Memories

AS DAPCHI REFRESHES CHIBOK MEMORIES

        

For almost a decade now, insecurity – particularly insurgency – has remained a great challenge in the Nigeria’s polity. This is the reason the change agenda of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari is ostensibly anchored on three different sectors, security inclusive.

       

In spite of the thus far dogged effort of this government toward ending the ravaging effect of the world’s third dreaded terrorist sect, Boko Haram, it seems to the sight of the onlookers that a lot still needs to be done in the aspect of not just insurgency but security challenges at large.

       

It’s not anymore news that two weeks ago, precisely on Monday 19^th February 2018, a certain set of the Boko Haram members who were clad in military uniform, invaded the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC) situated in Dapchi village, Busari LGA, Yobe State around six O’clock in the evening and abducted 110 of the schoolgirls. It’s noteworthy that some of the students cum staff, who narrowly escaped from the boarding school before the mayhem, sustained various degrees of injuries.

         

Dapchi is about 100km North of Damaturu, the state’s capital territory, and until the incident, remained one major town that was yet to be attacked by the terrorists since the commencement of insurgency in the troubled region. This implies that a seemingly virgin locality was eventually located by the sect.

         

A convoy of fighters in pickup trucks labeled ‘Allahu Akbar’ reportedly descended on the area within the said time, targeting only the school. According to the report, when the troop stormed the village, they began shooting sporadically and setting off explosives. By so doing, residents were perhaps warned to steer clear of the targeted arena.

       

The attack on the school came four years after the Boko Haram’s audacious abduction of about 276 schoolgirls in Chibok town, Borno State – the state believed to be the headquarters of the sect. It was gathered that 57 of the abducted teenagers managed to escape over the next few months after the ordeal. The unpredictable event, which occurred in the midnight of 14^th April 2014, has hitherto remained a nightmare to all concerned – particularly parents of the abductees.

       

Though the Federal Government (FG) under the watch of President Buhari had through its organized effort enabled some of the kidnapped Chibok girls to regain their freedom, the fact that most of them are still held captive in the hands of the captors is enough reason to panic over the fate that recently befell the 110 Dapchi girls.

       

It’s imperative to take into cognizance that since 2009 till date, the Boko Haram group has left at least 20,000 Nigerians dead and equally rendered over 2.6 million homeless. The given statistics have overtime kept the teeming Nigerian citizens – both home and in the Diaspora – in disarray that many had been forced to sleep with one eye open.

        

It is more saddening that the Dapchi omen took place barely a few weeks after the Nigerian Army bragged publicly that the Boko Haram had been ‘completely defeated’. One might then wonder whether the sect was provoked by the army’s avowal. Of course, taking a critical study of the circumstance, every rational mind wouldn’t hesitate to insinuate that the abduction wasn’t unconnected with the boast.

        

The United Nations (UN) has swiftly condemned the disaster. Having reiterated the bloc’s solidarity and support to the Nigerian Government, the UN’s Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres who tendered the reaction via his Spokesperson Mr. Stephane Dujarric, described the operation as ‘another horrific incident’. I can’t concur less with the description.

         

Although the Presidency has in strong terms expressed shock as well as frowned over the abduction, the fact that Mr. President is yet to visit the scene of the incident does not portray a good image for the country’s seat of power. This could be linked to that of the Chibok that took the then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan two weeks to extend a phone call to the Borno State government as was disclosed by the state’s governor, Kashim Shettima, let alone visiting the affected arena.

         

Our leaders must learn how to show a practical and drastic concern over unfortunate happenings within the jurisdiction they govern especially the ones directly connected with the people’s lives and/or property.

        

In a different development; it is uncalled for that while the citizenry – the opposition in particular – ought to be more concerned about how to tender advice or tactics towards rescuing the captives, they are rather busy trying to create a suitable adjective that could be used to qualify the incident just for the sole purpose of discrediting the current administration.

       

As the Dapchi omen refreshes memories of that of the Chibok, it’s needless to notify us that what transpired in either saga unleashed a colossal injury on us all, hence the need for any patriotic Nigerian to treat it as such instead of playing politics with it.

       

Thus, we must desist from looking for a way to actualize our cheap political motives in a situation that requires our collective sympathy and contribution. Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador