Special Invitation: 2015 Anambra State Christmas Carol and Festival of Nine Lessons

Christmas is here again, and as has become the tradition since the
inception of this administration, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano,
Governor of Anambra state will host the 2015 Anambra State Heritage
Christmas Carol on Monday, December 21st 2015.

Venue: Upper Iweka, Onitsha.

Time: 6pm.

Members of the State Executive Council, top government functionaries,
members of the state House of Assembly, traditional rulers, presidents
general of town unions, captains of industries, corporate groups,
members of the clergy, religious organizations, market men and women,
students and the public are by this announcement invited to
participate in this soul-lifting event.

Ndi Anambra, come let us worship the Lord and sing hymns unto His
praise as we await the joyful coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The 2015 Anambra State Christmas Carol and Festival of Nine Lessons,
don't miss it!

Signed

Dr. Barrister (Mrs.) Uju Nwogu
Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism.






Ifeanyi Aniagoh
Executive Assistant to Gov Willie Obiano on Social Media

Teen Girl Dies While Masturbating, Parents Blame ‘Extremely Large Dildo

TOPEKA, Kansas – 

A 16-year-old girl was found dead in her home late Friday evening, apparently suffering from a heart attack while masturbating. Her parents, who would only give their first names, Joe and Carol, say they found their daughter, who they wish to not name, after they returned from their anniversary dinner.

“[Name redacted] knew she wasn’t supposed to use her mother’s big, black double-ender, and we’d never thought she’d sneak into our room and take it,” said Joe. “We didn’t really want to bring it up to her, because it’s embarrassing. I’d give anything to go back in time now, and tell her not to use such a big one. She wasn’t ready for that yet.”

“I’ve had so many more years of getting torn up, that really, I needed one that big to even feel it,” said Carol, who claims the dildo was around 9 inches or so in circumference. “[Name Redacted] was just a young girl. She shouldn’t have been taking one so big. It was too much, and her heart couldn’t take it.”

Joe and Carol say that they want their story to be a lesson to all parents, and that talking to your children about the dangers of excessively large sexual toys should be mentioned in the initial “birds and the bees” talk.

“Please, don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk to your kids,” said Joe. “They need to know that sometimes, a penis – real or fake – is just too damn big.”

NEAR POPE CARDINAL REVEALS THE TRUE AHIARA STORY

- O’STAR EZE; FRANCIS EKPONE.

The Rector of Pope John Paul the second Seminary, Awka, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Benjamin Ewelu has attributed the ongoing unrest all over the world to the fact that people have not started doing the will of God. He said this while interacting with the press at the reception ceremony of Francis Cardinal Arinze in the seminaryrecently.

In his words, ‘there is a lot of injustice in Nigeria and that is why there is no peace.’ He therefore advocated for Nigerians to give justice a chance and commit to doing the will of God if they wish to experience peace. He called for everyone to show love for God and for one another. This, he said, will solve the whole problem of man.

The event, which also marked the beginning of the jubilee of mercy in the catholic faith, featured the Cardinal consecrating some of the senior seminarians who had undergone the 33 day novena for consecration to Jesus through Mary. Speaking on the importance of the consecration ceremony, one of the seminarians who underwent the process, John Mary Muojekwuexplained that it helps to consummate complete devotion to Jesus Christ through Mary. “Prayer works by action and it is more important to live out the life of consecration.”

Francis Cardinal Arinze spoke about the role of the lay faithful inevangelization; the primary vision of the church. He said that the clerics should be clear on the point that the lay people are 99.9% of the church and therefore has significant part to play in carrying out the mission of the church. God has sent his son and the son sent his apostles and the church has been termed a missionary. Everyone by the pact of baptism has taken part of the responsibility of evangelization. He made it clear that in the church there are no spectators and proposed that the clerics provide more platforms for the lay faithful to exercise their faith. He expressed surprise that some clerics see the church to refer to their class alone. Of the 6.2 billion catholics worldwide, there are 51000 bishops, 143000 priests, and so one. All the clerics and religious are less than 1 million in number. Cardinal Arinze then defined the church to mean the union of all the baptized with Christ as their head. He said the definition goes beyond the physical boundaries of the Catholic Churchto include all the other churches that are not catholic.

There were also question and answer sessions during which the Cardinal responded to question on inter-faith marriage, clergy’s role in the civic society and the AhiaraBishop crisis.

Speaking on inter-faith marriage, he reasoned that if it is difficult for catholic couples to live in harmony, it should be more difficult for individuals of different faiths to live together as married couples. This, he said, is why the Catholic Churchpersuades against such unions. Francis Cardinal Arinze however said that a bishop has the canonical right to give his approval to such intended marriages when there is vehement insistence from the intended couples and after due deliberation with the parish priest in charge. On whether it is ok for a priest to work as a military man or a lawyer or a civil servant, the cardinal said the priest is only allowed to function as a chaplain in the army and to work as the church’s lawyer as a lawyer. “Why then did you become a priest, if you want to engage in any other profession afterward?” he asked rhetorically. The Ahiara problem was attributed to the lack of obedience to the pope by the members of the diocese.

Highlights of the event were gift presentations by the seminarians to the visiting cardinal and dance performances from Ikorodo dance group from Nsukka. In attendance were so many priests including the legendary Reverend Father Arazu.

SEAMATA commends FG on efforts to steady electricity supply, disassociates self from PRO-BIAFRA protest

Traders in the South East Geo-Political Zone under the auspices of South East Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, (SEAMATA) has commended the Federal Governmnet on its efforts to provide steady supply of improved  electricity supply in the entire South East since his assumption of office. "We are grateful and appeal to him to do even more for better improvement.

 
The SEAMATA say it has dissociated it selves from the protest activities of the members of the movement for the actualization of the  sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB and indigenous people of Biafra IPOB completely.

 

In a statement jointly signed by the President and the secretary of the Association Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo and Hon. Temple Udeh respectively the Association said she is constrained to react to the continuous calls for close of businesses in the zone in protest and solidarity for Biafra.

 

According to the statement the difficulties and hardship which traders and residents in general suffer during these protests had made the traders to direct that the association react to the situation and the development and make it's position very clear and unambiguous.

 The invasion of markets and other business outfits and the destruction of private property of individuals like shops and vehicles in the name of pro-Biafra Protest is not only condemnable but un-acceptable.

 "We are yet to understand the wisdom in the protest where the properties and other valuable belongings of the Igbos are either vandalized or destroyed by fellow Igbo man in the name of Pro-Biafra protest".

 

The hardship which the Igbos that re-Iocated from the North East in the wake of Boko Haram insurgency are passing through is still staring on the faces of every well thinking Igbo man while there has been calls from the Pro-Biafra Group for others doing their normal businesses in other parts of Nigeria to relocate to the Zone.

 

The statement further stated that no zone in this Country is an island and none can successfully develop without inter-relationship with the others. Times are hard and the traders condemn in very strong terms, any action, by group or individual that will further aggravate the already very difficult times experienced by traders in this zone. The traders are totally not in support of any protest that would affect adversely, on the people of the South-east Geo-political zone.

"We want to state categorically clear that traders in this Zone are in total support of the Administration of President Mohammadu Buhari and traders shall not support any action that will aggravate the hardship already being experienced in Nigeria".

 

"Traders in the zone wish to  appeal to Mr. President to urgently address the issue of dilapidated federal infrastructure in the South East particularly the federal roads that are now death traps.

 The roads include the Enugu Onitsha Express way, Enugu ­Abakaliki Express way, Enugu Port Harcourt Express way, Aba Owerri Road and Owerri Port, Harcourt Road.

 We sincerely appreciate that Mr. President had only stayed a few months in the office and inherited these dilapidated roads from the past Administration.

"our wish is that fixing these roads during this dry season will help in alleviating the suffering of the traders whose goods are always destroyed each time the vehicles conveying them fell as a result of bad road.

The traders commend Mr. President in his; unrelenting battle against corruption which had eaten deep into our social and economic fabric of this nation. We wish to re-state our support to Mr. President in this all important effort towards fixing back the dwindling economic situation.

The traders in the South East appeal to all the groups in the Country to close ranks with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and support his efforts in resolving the numerous economic problems facing the country.

 
The Association commend the maturity of the traders in the South East that decided to toe the path of reason by not attacking the protesters that destroyed their wares and vehicles. While charging them to remain calm and go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation even in the face of any provocation

ASATU CLEARS AIR ON ANAMBRA VIGILANTE LAW

       

Dr. Jude Okolo

The National president of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Dr. Jude Okolo has cleared the air on the recent feud between traditional rulers and presidents General of various communities in Anambra state with the recently passed Anambra State Vigilante Law.

Aguata Diocese honours Gov Obiano, Ekwueme, Ezeemo, Onwuegbu, others at 10th Anniversary

The Second Republic Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Anambra state Governor Chief Willie Obiano and the leader of Progressives People's Alliance (PPA) Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, were among the dignitaries honoured by the Anglican Diocese of Aguata during its 10^th anniversary.

 

The award given to the dignitaries were part of the activities which featured during the one week celebration that ended at the Cathedral of St. John, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state.

 

Speaking shortly before the awards, the Archbishop of Aguata Diocese, His Grace Most Rev. C.O. Efobi said the awards were for their individual contributions to the work of God in the Diocese and in the development of the nation.

 

Most Rev. Efobi who is also the Dean Church of Nigeria and Bishop of Aguata Diocese, said that the awardees had contributed immensely towards the successes recorded by the Aguata Diocese which was created in 2005.

 

The award recipients included Sir Engr. Anayo Bedford Onwuegbu from Enugu state, the oldest and longest serving traditional ruler in Anambra state, HRM Igwe Kenneth Orizu  of Nnewi, Late Igwe M.N. Ugochukwu ofUmunze; late Ven. Bernard Chukwurah Igilige, Most Revd. J.A. Onyemelukwe; Igwe G.O. Ezechukwu of Umuchu; Dr. Raymond Chukwugozie Obieri and Sir Jonah Onyebuchi Eze.

 

Earlier in his sermon at the church service to mark the 10^th anniversary, Archbishop Efobi expressed gratitude to God for great things he had done for the Diocese and the nation at large.

He traced the history of the Diocese which took off with five Archdeaconries, and has risen to 12.

 

Archbishop Efeobi who anchored his sermon on Psalm 126 verse 3 called on Nigerians to renew their faith pointing out that faith was essential in the work of God.

He told the congregation that God never reneges in his promises to mankind.

According to him, although our problems were numerous but God was greater than all the problems we have.

He stressed the need for people to intensify in prayer which he said was essential in working with God.

 

Fielding question from Journalist at the end of the ceremony, the leader of PPA and proprietor of Orient Newspapers, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo expressed gratitude for the honour done to him and said it was a call for greater service to God and the Diocese.

 

Also answering a question, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu said it was a privileged for anybody to contribute to the work of God.

 

He called on Nigerians to always use their resources to serve God.

 

Dr Sam Ezenwafor a participant at the epoch ceremony thanked God for giving the diocese willing men and women to work in his vine yard.

 

He said that the award would act as a stimulant to other faithful to use their God given wealth in evangelism and humanity.

 

In his own contribution, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Arch Christian Ike thanked all those who contributed in making the anniversary a success.

 

SICKLE CELL GROUP COMMENCE THANKSGIVING TOUR - O’STAR EZE

Aisha Maureen Edward, the coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder has said that the association has come to a point where it feels it is pertinent to form a thankful habit as they do not know when next they might have the opportunity given that their health status makes their demise like ‘the rapture’. She made this statement during a well attended thanksgiving service by the association at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka.  She also saw the thanksgiving service which, she said, would be done in all the churches – Catholic and Anglican, in Anambra state, as a way of creating awareness and sensitizing members of the public. In her words, ‘our next port of call should be St Faith Anglican Church, Awka. They are also at the fore front of the fight.’ She said she was joyful that the presence of the wife of the governor was felt and was sure that everyone in the association would go home with smiles and something to talk about. She availed the opportunity to express her gratitude to former governor Peter Obi, who she said has donated graciously towards the cause of the association. She also appreciated the wife of the governor and the commissioner for health for their support. The coordinator also narrated how the kindness of the principal of Austica Memorial Secondary School, Nanka, Revd. Fr. Ebebe, who, she said, relinquished his school bus to the association to help convey the association members to the venue of the thanksgiving service, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka. ‘This gesture’, Aisha said, ‘was just the best one can do for us given the agony we go through walking about with our cancerous feet while the general public watches. My heart has been bought over as a result of this and many other selfless services of the priest towards the welfare of the association and I would say that today marks the beginning of my official relationship with the church.’ She said that the theme of the sermon was just right – ‘leadership though selfless service’, and admonished all and sundry to imbibe the church’s view of what leadership was all about. ‘Get yourself out of the psychological bondage and enjoy your life while it lasts’, she advised those living with sickle cell disorder, ‘it is time for you to come out and thank God for being a special person.’

Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, the wife of His Excellence, the executive governor of Anambra state, was ably represented at the thanksgiving service by Nwafor Orizu College of Education Provost, Cordelia Ego Uzoezie. The academic don affirmed that the cause of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell disorder was a worthy one. She put it this way, ‘Firstly, the association wouldn’t have been existing without people living with the disorder. For them to come together to fight for their living is a welcome one, rather than waiting for others to think for them. So it is a welcome idea because it is now showing that the people have come of age to think for themselves and to fight for their living.’ The provost who wouldn’t attribute any appellation to her name expressed delight at what she termed the courage expressed by those living with sickle cell disease and saw it as a sign that they are now living above stigmatization. In the same vein, Mrs Uzoezie shared the two ways the first lady, Osodieme, is helping the association. ‘Osodieme is in the position to call on meaningful personalities in the state to support them in their health and education needs. More importantly, she has her own institution where the adult and young adults among them can equally join and learn a skill that can help them to be self reliant.’ Her message for the sickle cell patients was to ‘keep living; to fight for living and to work for a living.’ She encouraged them not to relent and admonished them to keep paying attention to their health and reading their body signs so they don’t get overtaken by crisis.

Speaking to the press, the officiating priest, Reverend Father Martin Obiajulu, who was representing Catholic bishop of Awka diocese, Most Revd Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said he was quite impressed with what the association had done. He said it was a thing of joy because no matter how one’s life conditions are, one should always learn to accept and thank God for them. ‘I thank God that they accepted their condition and they came to thank God. My prayer is that God will keep on blessing them; keep guiding and directing them in everything they are doing to ensure they reach the end. And in the end, they are granted eternal life,’ the St Patrick’s Cathedral pastor said. On his message to the members of the public in the light of the cause of the association, Fr. Obiajulu called on all well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the association. in his words, ‘it is not left for the church alone to care for them; the government and individuals, organizations have to help them to better their condition because it is not by their fault that they are sickly. That is the role we have to play as humans. The church has been trying her best.’

Also speaking at the event was Pharm. Dr. Uchebo Obiageli, the administrative assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Health. In her interaction with the press, Pharm. Uchebo revealed that the ministry of health is partners in progress with the association as it has always been there right from the beginning. ‘On the day of their walk, the Honourable Commissioner for Health was there. He went through the walk and has been doing his best to support this group,’ explained the lady. She also revealed that the ministry is making efforts to see that the already existing sickle cell law to see that those living with sickle cell disorder in the state all benefit from whatever the state has for them. Dr. Obiageli identified intensive sensitization as is the modus operandi of the association as the right way to fight sickle cell scourge to a conclusive end. ‘I think if this is sustained (speaking about sensitization), in due time, there will be no case of sickle cell disease in this state,’ she postulated.

The press also spoke with one of the legal advisers of the association, Immaculata Chidinma Okonkwor.