By Alexander Johnson Adejoh
As the world prepares to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, has lamented the high level of hunger and rising insecurity in the country, attributing it to hunger and poverty.
According to the Bishop, who spoke to Fides in Awka, Thursday19th December 2024, the inability of the government to provide basic necessities of life such as food had led to a situation where people had become desperate and willing to engage in any activity to survive. He regretted that the current economic situation in the country had made it difficult for people to afford basic necessities, including food.
Bishop Ezeokafor stated that the celebration of Christmas was not just about eating and drinking, but also about spiritual rejuvenation, just as he emphasized the need for Christians to reconcile with God and their neighbours during the festive period.
The Bishop also expressed concern over the high cost of living in the country, citing the example of a bag of rice, which, he said, cost more than the minimum wage of a Nigerian Worker. He described the situation as difficult and called on the government to find a solution to the problem.
Bishop Ezeokafor commended the Anambra State Government on its efforts to address the issue of insecurity in the state. He specifically praised the Governor’s recent initiative, “Operation Udo ga Achi,” (Peace Will Prevail) aimed at restoring peace and security in the state.
However, the Bishop emphasized that the operation alone could not solve the problem of insecurity and stressed the need for a change of heart among individuals, adding that the Church had a crucial role to play in that regard.
Bishop Ezeokafor urged Christians to live in hope despite the challenges facing the country. He reminded them that God was alive and aware of the situation and that He would not allow evil to prevail.
The Prelate also emphasized the importance of love and sharing during the Christmas Season and encouraged people to share what they had with their neighbours, rather than waiting until someone died to show their love.
Bishop Ezeokafor recalled his earlier message on the need to prioritize befitting living over expensive funeral, reiterating that whatever was done for the dead had no meaning to them, and urged the faithful to instead focus on showing love and kindness to those who were alive.
As part of his Christmas message, Bishop Ezeokafor urged people to reconcile with God and their neighbours, stressing the need for individuals to examine their conscience and make amends where necessary.
The Bishop also called on the Government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, particularly in the areas of food and security. He said that those were basic necessities of life that the Government had a responsibility to provide.
Bishop Ezeokafor however expressed optimism that the situation in the country could change for the better, if individuals and the government worked together. He urged the faithful to have faith in God and to believe that things would get better.
In conclusion, Bishop Ezeokafor wished Nigerians a peaceful and joyful Christmas Celebration, praying God to bless the country and its citizens, and that the spirit of love and sharing would guide everyone during the festive period.
