News
Fathers’ Day: Clerics Charge Fathers To Nurture Healthy Homes For Safer Society
An Anglican cleric, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, has charged fathers to take seriously the responsibility of building healthy homes to enhance a safer society.
Ibezim, the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Anglican Diocese, made the call in a message he delivered to mark 2021 Fathers’ Day.
He said that fathers, being the heads of the families, needed to be celebrated for the important roles they play in enlarging the society, hence, a day was set aside to celebrate them.
He said that fathers had great responsibilities to nurture their homes to develop a great society.
At the Church of the Pentecost, Awka, Venerable Ekene Nwafor, Vicar in charge of the Church, read the only text during the service to mark Fathers’ Day.
That the title of the message was, “Joseph the Carpenter: A Role Model” with the text taken from the Gospel of Luke 2, verse 41- 42.
Nwafor, also the Archdeacon, Awka Central Archdeaconry, charged fathers to ensure that they were rooted in Christ to be able to raise healthy homes.
He encouraged fathers to hold onto prayers as only solution to a challenging time and at any time where life challenges steered at them, face to face.
Mr Osita Obi, Chairman 2021 Fathers’ Sunday Planning Committee of the church of the Pentecost, urged fathers to place home training and care of the family as their main duty.
Obi said that more attention should be given to family development to have a healthy home that would serve as a unit of socialisation and societal development.
“When we get the home front right, then we are sure of safe environment that will make life activities thrive, without fear of any attack.
“Fathers must take responsibilities of their homes,” he said.
Mr Okey Anyanyo, a member of the planning committee, advised that it was time for parents to sit down and monitor the activities or company their children kept.
Anyanyo said that parents had placed materialism above proper and sound home grooming and had abandoned the care of the home to domestic helps.
“It is time for a rethink and a change of attitude.
“Many parents cannot give full account of who their children outside home are. Some fathers think that to care for a home is to provide money.
“This is not so. Fathers need to monitor what goes on in their homes,” he said.
Mrs Victoria Nwosu, a parishioner, commended the church for setting out a day to celebrate fathers for their enormous work in home development as well as to remind them of their great importance in home care.
In the same vein, Venerable Chris-Nkem Okafor, Vicar Saint Judes’ Church Adazi-Ani, in Adazi-Ani Archdeaconry, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra, urged those fathers who shied away from their responsibilities to sit up.
Okafor said that some fathers had, through family negligence, been championing single parenting and warned that they should live up to their call of parenting.
“Parenting as was seen in the life of the biblical Joseph instills discipline, love, peace and togetherness in the families; the story should not change today,” he said.
He appealed to fathers to love their wives, look inwards into their families and discipline themselves, noting that when they got it right in their families the society would be a better place.
Our correspondent who monitored the celebration reports that the service sessions were peaceful.
That some fathers spoke on the significance of the day, including Chief Silas Ejide, Obum Ezeaku, Dr Chijioke Umezue and Beaneth Ugoagu.
They appealed to fathers to eschew social lifestyle that triggered division and collapsed marriages.
That services in the churches visited were conducted by fathers while, also, special prayers were offered for the enthronement of peaceful families and security of the nation.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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