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Priest Calls for Peace, Unity and Love
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Mbowula of the Nigerian Navy has called on the people to embrace the virtues of unity and love and eschew every trace of segregation among them. The Navy Priest laid this bare while explaining the true meaning of Catholicism during his homily on Sunday, June 11, 2010 at the church of Sacred Heart Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo State. According to Fr. Mbowula, Catholics should be proud of their faith. He explained that the name 'Catholic' means Universal and Unity, as such, the church does not know any bounds and it avoids racial segregation. The Yoruba born cleric called for peace, love and unity among Christian as they are the major characteristics of the early Christians. He also bemoaned as Christ did, the attitudes of the Levites, the Samaritan in the parable of the helpless traveler who was waylaid by brigands, and could only be helped by a lay person. He however, encouraged the faithful to always find happiness in helping fellow Christians no matter the faith and race.

The clergyman traced human ancestry to God, holding that Christians and Muslims alike hold the same faith in God the creator, and profess their heritage from their ancestor Abraham. He called on all to observe the law of unity.

Attach Importance To Education -Headmistress Advised Parents
Parents and Guardians have been advised to attach importance to education by paying the school fees of their wards gradually rather than withdrawing them and sending them to other schools. This advice was given by the Headmistress of SS Anthony and Patrick’s Nursery and primary school, Mrs. B.C. Ako during the send-forth and graduation ceremony of the school belonging to the Catholic church of Ahiara Diocese.

According to Mrs. Ako, some of the pupils so withdrawn usually go to their new schools with the school uniforms of the catholic school, thereby creating a scandalous impression of the school. She warned that in future; the school would descend on such runaway pupils and the result would be unpalatable. Earlier, the headmistress had extolled the leadership qualities of the bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. V.A Chikwe as wonderful, fatherly, consummate in wisdom especially in matters of ethics, discipline, skills and competence and so called on parents to register their wards with the school.

The ceremony proper witness an entertainment galore involving riddles and jokes, teaching practice by the pupils, recitation and debate, “calisthenics and false news casts.
There was fund raising at the mass. In attendance at the occasion also were the secretary to the bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Rev. Fr. Godson Okoro and Fr. Udo J.M. Iwuji among others.

Cleric Celebrates 24 Years of Service in the Nigerian Army -Pours Encomium on Unegbu, Chikwe and Others

A Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Osuagwu has celebrated his 24 years of service in the Nigerian Army. The Mbaise born clergyman, who is the parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish Mbutu Mbaise in the Aboh Mbaise Area Council of the State, marked this epoch making event on Saturday June 10, 2010 at the Church of Sacred Heart Mbutu. The occasion which drew together the presence of many prominent people in the society commenced with a Eucharistic celebration.

Expressing the hectic service and training in the Army, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Akpaka Osuagwu threw open and garnished the homily of the mass with an ancient war dance, wherein he described with nostalgia the role of the army during the war. Fr. Akpaka described the chief celebrant as one who is exceptional and creatively ingenious, one who doles out tricks and pranks in large doses. He extolled him for his sense of maturity during his days of service with the Nigerian Army and for bringing fame to the Holy Mother Church in general and Ahiara Diocese in particular. Fr. Akpaka also praised the choice of Bishop Mark Unegbu of Blessed memory, who through his initiative thought it wise to send Fr. Osuagwu to the Army. He urged the faithful to emulate the virtues of the man of God whom he described as a loyal servant.

Narrating his experience during the civic reception organized in his honor, the celebrant Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Osuagwu, furnished the people with the story of events that take place in the Nigerian Army. He thanked the late Bishop Emeritus of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Mark Unegbu who sent him to the Army. He praised the deceased bishop for his sense of administration and social justice saying that he saw it necessary to send priests to join the Army and other armed forces, he prayed for his peaceful rest. Fr. Osuagwu equally thanked the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. V.A Chikwe who though was absent. He appreciated his concern for him all through his stay in the Army and during his period of studies overseas, he prayed God to bless him. The celebrant finally thanked the authorities of the Nigerian Army who cared for him and also sent him on studies, he expressed gratitude to all priests who worked with him when he was on service, he prayed God to bless them all.

Also present for the celebration were: HRH Eze S.U. Ugochukwu of Mbutu Nwenkwo, HRH Eze D.O. Nwaigwe of Mbutu Ancient Kingdom. The clergy in attendance include: Msgr. Paul Amakiri, Rev. Frs. C.C. Anyanwu, the Rector of Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Nguru, Godson Okoro, the Bishop's secretary, Chris Uka Akuchie, the Dean of Ezinihite Deanery, , Ted Uwakwe, the Dean of Ahiazu Deanery, Bernadine Ekechukwu, Emma Ukaegbu, Emma Nworu, Kyrian Chilaka, Sanctus Onwumere, Nathaniel Ezenwa, Augustine Amadi, Lawrence Opara, Ambrose Ugo, Udo Iwuji (SDV), Ireneus Chukwu, Lawrence Opara, Chima Ahaneku and a host of other priests.

Ahiara Diocesan Parishes Receive the Centenary Light

The catholic faithful in the various parishes of Ahiara Mbaise diocese joyfully marked the beginning of the centenary celebration of the advent of the light of faith in the Igbo heart land; Owerri Ecclesiastical Province on July 18, 2010.The centenary celebration as it were, religiously followed the provincial and diocesan Inaugurations which have already taken place in the province and some dioceses.

The essence of the centenary celebration however was to rekindle the light of faith whose advent as the catholic bishops of Owerri Province observed transformed the lives of the people of the Igbo heartland who once were groping in total darkness and almost lost in the maze of sin and death.

The unique celebration in fact, had lots of exciting twists; most prominent among them was the exceptionally lively liturgy during which different families were observed filling out in troops with profound joy to receive lighted candlessymbolizing the light of faith. The church by handing over the lighted candles to various families has the intention of continuously illuminating the faith, burning out all the relics of Paganism and reconciling all the families that have been bitten by the serpent of division or divorce, litigation or antagonism and then combat the negative influences of the millionaire Jesus preachers who now divide families in order to attract adherents.

In different parishes however, the inauguration started with various programmes like seminars, retreat, workshops, Rosary processions, etc in order to be spiritually prepared to receive the light of faith. Most Parishes also adorned the celebration with cultural displays in respect of the underlying spirit of the Centenary celebration especially in Ahiara Diocese which is “culture receiving the light of faith with Joy”

It will be recalled that the inauguration of the centenary celebration has already been Marked by the Catholic bishops, clerics, religious and the lay faithful of Owerri province at the mother parish of the province; Mount Carmel Emekuku on January 19, 2010 and in Ahiara Diocese on may 15, 2010. The grand finale of the Centenary celebration will be in the year 2012.

Man Overpowers Kidnappers in Mbaise
An average aged man, Mr. Uwazie Bon Inechi who narrowly over powered and escaped from the den of kidnapers last Friday, has narrated how he absconded from the hoodlums. Mr. Inechi described his escape as the handwork of God

The third son of the victim who also spoke to the GUIDE correspondent urged the state Government and other security agents to rise quickly to the plights of the masses especially those who are currently in the kidnapers' den. Answering questions from press men, the victim himself explained that the attack occurred at about 8.pm on July 1, 2010 in his house at Umuokoroukwu Ezuhu /Amadi Nguru, in the Aboh Mbaise L.G.A. of Imo State.

Describing his ordeal with heart full of joy and thanksgiving to God he narrated thus, “I was with my wife watching television in the palour when the brigands entered, they ordered us to lie on the floor which we did, and they asked us to provide all the money we had in the house, and that we did, against all odds, they demanded that my wife should follow them but she slumped and upon seeing that she could not make it for the journey, they ordered me to follow them and drop them at the Ahiara Junction.

Mr. Inechi further stated: “ when I noticed that we have approached the junction, I demanded that I be left but they openly and in clear language told me that I have been kidnapped, and from there I was taken to their hide-out where I was chained and given instruction never to escape or raise any alarm'.

The victim however maintained that the daredevils were giving him food and water, and that he was kept in the company of the kidnapers who made a ransom demand of twenty million from his family and relatives. Making known to the police the trick with which the kidnapers operate with, he said: “after ordering me to provide the phone numbers of my children and boss, they told me to let my people know that I have already provided fifteen million and that they should get five million, in actual fact, they wanted only five million “.

The victim observed that he was never maltreated except that he was in chains. Narrating the story of how he escaped, he observed that God saved him on the faithful day; he was able to unmask himself and overpower the one man guard who was placed in his charge and found his way out of the dungeon. He could only be helped by those around the Nkwo Obohia market square where he was offered a cloth to cover himself. He further told THE GUIDE that he later contacted the Ahiazu Divisional police under whose territory the victim was ambushed.

Group Protests Over the Abduction of ABC Manager,

A group under the umbrella of Umuokoroukwu youths in the early hours of Friday, July 8, 2010 took to the street in a peaceful protest over the kidnap of one of their illustrious sons Mr. Bon Uwazie Inechi of Ezuhu Nguru in Aboh Mbaise L.G.A., Imo State and the manager of ABC Transport Company. The peaceful match led them to Aboh Mbaise police headquarters, Aboh Mbaise Local Government, and to the palace of Eze E.O. Osuagwu, the tradititonal ruler of Nguru Nweke autonomous community.

Speaking on behalf of the Umuokoroukwu youths on arrival at Aboh Mbaise police headquarters, Mr. Emmanuel Iwueze who is one of the youths' Leaders, said that the youths of the community strongly give their resentment over the kidnap of Mr. Bon Inechi. Said he, “we are not happy…we say no to kidnapping”. According to him, the placards which they display speak volume of their disapproval over the action. “It is a disgrace to humanity”.

The administrative officer Enyian Sunny O. of Aboh Mbaise Police headquarters, who spoke on behalf of the D.P.O., Paul Osagiede lauded the youths for embarking on such a peaceful match in protest over the kidnap of one of their sons. He charged them to help the police by enabling them fish out those societal deviants who would not allow people to have peace of mind in the community. He told them that these kidnappers are their brothers and sisters, they are from their families, hence the police should be provided with reliable information on these hooligans, he then assured them that their message would be relayed to the government.

On the same vein, Aboh Mbaise Solad, Hon. Ike Njoku said that nobody is happy over the recent and incessant cases of kidnappings in the state and Mbaise in particular. He said that it is a crime against God and humanity, and that such a crime is preventing Mbaise sons and daughters in diaspora from coming home, because they no longer feel secure in their own home town.

Before the match, the youth president Kenneth Iwagwu admonished his fellow youths to always engage themselves in positive and meaningful adventures so as to be better citizens. He asked them to divest their mind of all evil thoughts. He equally urged them to refrain from any group that always involve themselves in clandestine and anti-social activities.
Finally, Chimezie Nwogu thanked the Umuokoroukwu youths for conducting themselves well throughout the peaceful match. He equally urged them to be of good behaviour both in their family and in the society.

Priest Decries The Spate Of Moral Decadence
The role of Christian parents in checking youth moral decadence and crime has been rated as low. The assessment was made recently by a Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Charles Osunwa at the mater Dolorosa Parish Ihitte Uboma LGA Imo State in a homily during the mass that marked a reception organized by the parish for the Owerri provincial secretary of the Catholic youth organization of Nigeria, C.Y.O.N. Mr. Chijoke Ogoke.

Continuing, Fr. Osunwa who took a swipe at various ills of the society bemoaned the upsurge in youth prone crimes such as pornography, cultism, robbery and the attendant complacency, and in some cases outright complicity, by parents. The priest regretted that many of these societal bad eggs are children of title holders in the Church, knights, Ugwunna, Nneoma whose faith could not be brought to bear on their conduct. He noted with regret that stories have even been told of a mother caught smuggling “weed” into police cell for her detained son, the woman claimed to have done that to save her son from starving to death of the hard drug.

He accused those front-bench-warmers in the church of double standard since the faith they claim to possess is lacking in their off spring and wondered whether a clean water pipe could bring forth dirty, rusty water and vice versa. He challenged parents to take up the mantle and show the light to their children “Good children come from good families” the cleric submitted.

Answering our reporters questions, the youth leader Mr. Chijioke Ogoke admitted that the youth constitute the most active age group, but advised them to channel their energy to positive things. The youths’ scribe urged the youths to resist being used for such vices as thuggery, kidnapping, armed robbery and violence by politicians and unscrupulous people. He expressed confidence in the ability of the Catholic youths to make the positive difference among youths of other calibers. He revealed that the programmes aimed at harnessing the energy of the youths into useful ventures.

He beckoned on parents to patiently give attention to the problems of the youths and assist them pull out of them. He thanked his home parish for the honour accorded him.