The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, the Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor, has attributed Nigeria’s numerous socio-economic challenges to the high level of ungodliness among the nation’s leaders.
Ezeofor said genuine fear of God among those in leadership would enable them to make decisions that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.
Delivering a sermon at Saint Mary’s Church, Umuomaku, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, during a special thanksgiving service marking the end of the 21st Aguata Diocesan Women’s Conference, the bishop said God is still searching for a godly generation.
The cleric expressed concern that unless Nigeria’s leaders return to God in genuine obedience, the country’s quest for transformation may remain unattainable.
Speaking on the role of the family in God’s plan for society, Ezeofor urged married couples to remain faithful to their marriage vows in order to protect their families from what he described as the devil’s attacks.
Describing the family as the smallest unit of society, he said the devil’s attacks on marriages are aimed at destroying the destinies of the younger generation, who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
“Children of God must take heed and fight this renewed attack on the family by the devil.
“Strife between couples, abandonment of child upbringing in pursuit of money and career, lack of respect for one another by couples, and other anomalies we see today in marriages constitute attacks through which the devil is shaping the mentality of our children negatively and making them irresponsible.
“These young ones will grow up tomorrow to become leaders, and without the right knowledge, how will they be able to steer the course of the nation aright?” he asked.
Speaking on the conference theme, “God’s Great Task for the Church: The Great Commitment—Raising a Godly Generation,” the bishop urged delegates to champion the message of raising a godly generation for the betterment of society.
Ezeofor, who is also the National Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC-Nigeria), said the various oaths taken in the church, particularly during ordinations and admission into the knighthood order, stem from a lack of trust. He urged Christians to live lives marked by integrity, trust and confidence.
He lamented that many people who were baptised and confirmed in the church have become involved in practices that contradict the Christian faith they once professed, calling on parents to raise children with godly values.
In her remarks, the President of the conference, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor, expressed concern that many young people, who are expected to become future leaders in both the church and society, are returning to idolatry by patronising shrines and traditional deities.
She said the conference was intended to encourage mothers to be more committed to their responsibilities in instilling sound moral values and correcting wayward behaviour among young people.
Mrs Ezeofor also reminded parents that celebrating ill-gotten wealth, especially when acquired by their children, is wrong. She urged them to discipline and correct their children whenever they deviate from the right path.
Some delegates at the conference, including Dame Chinyere Mbakwe, Lady Ngozi Ike and Mrs Ifeoma Ekwueme, described the conference theme as timely and called on parents and couples to work together in raising godly children.
