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Tag: Nicholas Okoh

  • CYBER CRIME: ICPC arraigns 4 persons for N30.4m fraud

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Jehu Kwasu, 40, and three others for over N30.4 million fraud, by impersonating an ex-Primate of Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh.

     

    The accused persons were arraigned before Justice C. Oba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 32, Apo, Abuja.

     

    Other three accused persons are Etubi Aliyu, Abdulrahman Muazu, and Usman Abdulaziz.

     

    In the charge, the ICPC accused the four of impersonating Okoh by faking his Facebook account bearing his picture and name; and using the same account to defraud unsuspecting members of the public by raising funds to purportedly bring the corpse of the former Primate’s deceased brother to Nigeria.

     

    The court was also informed of how the accused persons used their bank accounts and that of some of their friends to perpetrate the fraud.

     

    According to a statement on Sunday by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, titled, ‘ICPC arraigns impersonator of ex-Primate of Anglican Communion, others over N30.4m fraud, the accused were alleged to have also used some of their accomplices as fronts to withdraw part of the N30.4 million paid into their accounts as well as transfer some money to other accounts specifically opened for their illicit transaction.

     

    It said, “The defendants were also accused of using falsified National Identity cards to open numerous fraudulent bank accounts with fake names of individuals to carry out their criminal acts.

     

    “The commission, in a 17-count charge preferred against the first and second defendants; and eight and ninth-count against the third and fourth defendants respectively, averred that their action of obtaining by pretence was contrary to section 1(1) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2010.”

     

    The accused persons reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

     

    Counsels to the first defendant, Sadiq Lawal, and the second, third and fourth defendants, Abdulrazak Jibril, respectively, prayed the court to grant their clients bail, which was not opposed by the ICPC counsel, Sulaiman Abdulkareem.

     

    The judge admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N20m each and two sureties each in like sum who must have fully developed properties in the FCT.

     

    However, owing to their inability to fulfil the bail conditions, they were remanded in the Kuje Correctional centre.

     

    The case has been adjourned till May 18 and 19, 2022 for the commencement of hearing.

  • How I came back from the dead – Nicholas Okoh

    How I came back from the dead – Nicholas Okoh

    Immediate past Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Revd Nicholas D. Okoh has recounted how he miraculously revived back from death as he could have succumbed to a life threatening illness shortly after retirement on 25 March 2020.

    Primate Okoh who was at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp Abuja on 6th June 2021 where the Church of Nigeria under the Primacy of the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba organised what was tagged: ” Thanksgiving Service For The Recovery of His Grace, The Most Rev’d Dr Nicholas Okoh.

    In a moving testimony, Most Revd Okoh gave chilling tales of how he came back from the throes of death.

    THE TESTIMONY

    “Praise ye the lord. For me I travelled to the land of the dead and the Lord brought me back.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank Almighty God who is the father of us all for the wonderful things He has done for me, that I did not retire unto death.

    “At a point I was counting it, I said former Primates; Olufosoye did not retire to death, Adetiloye did not retire to death, Akinola did not retire to death. I will not start it. So for me I am very grateful to God.

    “To our Primate Henry Ndukuba I want to thank you in a special way for the initiative to handle this thanksgiving in a special way. It wasn’t my idea, what I thought was that I should come to church quietly do my thanksgiving -God sees my heart- but he persuaded me that this is the way we should do it and I think his idea is better so we thank you very much.

    “I want to thank my wife and children because it came to a point when we did not know what to do. Some suggested I should go to the United Kingdom.

    “Actually we made arrangements to go. Fortunately we found one hospital that accepted us, where Primate’s brother works, but later they said because of covid I shouldn’t come again.

    “I was downcast then quickly there was another initiative which I would call John’s initiative – my friend arranged that I should be taken to Dubai quickly but that one too started to develop problem, when that one too started to develop problem I said maybe this was going to be the end.

    “I said no problem we would face it. Then they said if we could not go to Dubai we should go to Abu Dhabi. But that place is very hot, again that one failed because I can’t see myself staying in that hot place with my health condition.

    “Then another plan surfaced that I should go to South Africa, that was where the whole negotiations broke down. South Africa I have been there before but my spirit did not want me to go there, just like from the beginning.

    “I ruled out going to India, so the children now said if you don’t want to go to south Africa, and you don’t want to go to India, where else do you want to go, you want to die? I said no. Let us be praying and those people warned me that am losing time very fast, I said ok so instead of going to South Africa, as they are black people like us, let me go to Nigeria and face it.

    “One consolation I had for choosing Nigeria was that if I died my wife and children will see me live, they will see my body and everything, they don’t have to put me in a cargo to bring me back.

    “So we settled it that way and I decided to go and face it, we were admitted and after one week of admission I developed a robust confidence that the Nigeria hospital will be able to do it.

    “Am very sorry that many of you didn’t know even the clergy because the hospital said they would not like to control the church in the hospital because of covid , that too many people going and coming will not be helpful so I think about 3 or 4 clergymen and of course the Primate were visiting but saw me through the glass.

    “They didn’t come in initially to show you how serious it was, They were only able to speak to me through phone but thank God I can speak to them directly now.

    “Am grateful to my Governor his Excellency Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife Dame Evangelist Edith okowa, were there from the beginning calling every day, every night to know my condition. They even persuaded me to go abroad but together we were all trying in the uk axis and it didn’t work out, so they all agreed with me that I should face it here with prayers. I thank them for this decision.

    “For one thing you know in this country if anything happens to you people will say witch don kill am and I said I cannot be a Primate and witch will come and kill me, if I die I will die naturally.

    “I called prominent leaders in my community and told them if I die don’t disturb my wife she is not the one who killed me because the usual thing is to start pointing accusing fingers at your wife, ‘she’s the one that killed him’. No oo maybe as I retire from primacy I also retire from this world. However we thank God it didn’t happen that way.

    “God helped us, the governor, his wife, Godson and all of them by putting their hands together to make sure nobody generated any tension about my ill health. I want to say that John Opara has shown me friendship, we worked together for almost 10 years at NCPC and I envied the period we worked together. He is an honest young man, a diligent worker and am sure wherever he will work he will succeed as he is succeeding where he is now. John thank you very much, the clergy men who came were strictly warned not to pass the information because it could have bad wagon effect and people would start trouping in so am not saying that those of you who didn’t come aren’t my friends, you are my friends for not disobeying hospital orders.

    “Those who came, about 2 or 3 we were able to manage their presence even though the hospital wanted to say why are they going and coming in, and I told them I need people and so we thank you, we are very grateful. We don’t know how to thank you but for the Primate, the clergy, the choristers, the men and women in the church of God we say thank you and thank you again.”

    Watch the video here:

  • Lesbianism, bisexualism, others have no place in the Church, says newly presented Anglican Primate

    Lesbianism, bisexualism, others have no place in the Church, says newly presented Anglican Primate

    The Most Rev’d Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, the newly presented Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has stated the Church’s position that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) have no place in the Church.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Most Rev’d Ndukuba, who is now the 5th Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, taking over from Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, who proceeds to retirement, stated this in his sermon during his installation and presentation at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Abuja.

    The newly presented Anglican Primate said that Church will stand by the resolutions of the Lambert Conference 1998 Resolution I.10, which stands against homosexuality and lesbianism, and uphold marriage as the institution that God has given for companionship, for mutual help, and for procreation between one man and one woman.

    The Lambert Conference 1998 Resolution I.10 commends to the Church the subsection report on human sexuality; in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage; recognises that there are persons who experience themselves as having a homosexual orientation, many of whom are members of the Church and are seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and God’s transforming power for the living of their lives and the ordering of relationships.

    “We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and we wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ; while rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture, calls on all our people to minister pastorally and sensitively to all irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn irrational fear of homosexuals, violence within marriage and any trivialization and commercialization of sex; cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions; requests the Primates and the ACC to establish a means of monitoring the work done on the subject of human sexuality in the Communion and to share statements and resources among us,” Lambert Conference 1998 Resolution I.10 reads in part.

    Primate Ndukuba said even within Nigeria, the Church will purge itself, stressing that any priest or church official that is found to involve in any of these will not have a portion, part in the ministry of the Church.

    “Just look around us, what is happening within these last few months. Brethren we need to prepare our hearts to pay the price of following Jesus. Some of the challenges we have in the Church today is because people are not crucified with Christ. We see opportunity of positions as opportunity of getting what we want. But the Lord requires that we be ready to pay the price of following Jesus.

    “In the days, months and years ahead, by the grace of God, we will commit ourselves to consolidating what my predecessors had started, and what all of us together have joined to build. The spiritual lives of our people being built upon the word of God.

    “But, brethren, more importantly, we need peace. The unity and peace of this Church cannot be compromised. And for us to do this, we will not only commit ourselves to the word of God, but we will also commit ourselves to discipline in the household of faith and also the fear of God. We want to hear truth, we want to operate in love, we want to walk by faith so that we will continue to grow as a Church, liturgically, spiritually in the word of God, and as the Lord helps us to serve one another.

    “We will commit ourselves to the defense of the Gospel, upholding the authority of the word of God, and contending for this faith that has been one and for all delivered to the saints. We will maintain the Anglican orthodox zeal and heritage, that which has been bequeathed to us. We will stand by the resolutions of the Lambert Conference 1998 Resolution I.10, which stands against homosexuality and lesbianism, and uphold marriage as the institution that God has given us for companionship, for mutual help, and for procreation between one man and one woman.

    “And as we have resolved in this church, we will maintain being out of communion with any church, group or persons that accept homosexuality, lesbianism, bestialism, and other aberrations that represent the revisionist agenda and indeed the corruption of the orthodox faith. We shall stand by GAFCON in the defense of the Gospel, and we pray that the Lord will help us that we will commit ourselves to upholding the authority of the word of God and what God has bequeathed to us.

    “Even within Nigeria, we will purge ourselves. Any priest or church official that we find to involve in any of these will not have a portion, part in the ministry of this church. We will commit ourselves to equipping the saints. We will oppose any erroneous doctrine or lifestyle, groupings that are contrary to the word of God,” Primate Ndukuba said.

  • Archbishop Okoh sounds notes of caution in valedictory message

    Archbishop Okoh sounds notes of caution in valedictory message

    Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, outgoing Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has cautioned the Church against tribalism and ethnocentrism.

    In his valedictory service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp in Abuja, Okoh expressed concern that tribalism and ethnocentrism were prevalent in the Church.

    “If the Church of Nigeria did not kill tribalism, it is likely going to disorganise the balance completely. If the bishops fail to kill tribalism, it is going to destroy our Church.“If the bishops themselves do not destroy ethnocentrism in their dioceses, it is going to destroy the dioceses and Churches around them,’’ he said.

    Okoh decried a situation where people who were baptized and share the communion could not accept themselves because of tribalism.

    He also urged the Church to guard against false teachings.

    “False teachings abound today. There are many people teaching anything that comes to their head; that does not make it right.

    “What has torn our church into pieces is this same careless teaching, a senior bishop and a senior clergy going about opposing and rebuking God in a way with false teachings.

    “I attended a meeting of very senior bishops outside the country and they gathered black people with placards around the Cathedral. They were asking us, Anglicans from Africa, to repent because what we say and do amount to persecution of homosexuals.

    “They told us the future of Africa is homosexuality. I know they are here but God will protect us.

    “Beware of people with gifts without character. They lack self-control and in this generation we have forgotten that self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

    “They claim to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit but have no self-control. That is abomination. The Holy Spirit cannot condone immorality,’’ he said.

    Speaking with newsmen after the service, Okoh noted that the Coronavirus had humiliated the entire world, indicating that “there is only one super power – God.’’

    “We have not be able to find solution to the virus. So, we must turn to God for solutions, we must appeal to Him to save us from this kind of destruction.

    “Government must also look for ways to police and protect the rural people and educate them to prevent an outbreak,’’ he said.

    Okoh will be succeeded by Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, the Primate-elect, who was until his election in September 2019, the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jos Province of the Anglican Communion.

    His presentation is scheduled to hold on Wednesday at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Abuja.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Mr Peter Obi, PDP Vice Presidential candidate at the 2019 general election attended the service.

  • Okoh remains Primate of Church of Nigeria

    Setting the record straight, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has said The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh remains the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ngozi Adighibe made this known in a statement for the Directorate of Communication of the church, correcting arguments that have cropped up concerning the Primate position of the church.

    Recall The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese had been elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

    TNG had earlier reported that the church has commenced handover activities ahead of the presentation of Ndukuba as the new Primate and Metropolitan of the church.

    In the statement by Adighibe, the church averred that Okoh remains the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion until the Primate-elect is presented.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that there are some persons circulating rumours that the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Dr Nicholas D. Okoh has handed over from his office as Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria. This rumour is false, as the Primate’s tenure has not yet ended.

    “Though a Primate-elect was elected on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 and as it is customary of our Church that he arrives Abuja few months before hand-over, it is important to note that he will be officially presented on Wednesday, 25th of March 2020. Therefore, the Most Rev’d Nicholas D. Okoh remains the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion until the Primate-elect is presented.

    “To that effect, we enjoin the Church and the general public to disregard any rumours emanating from any quarters as regards this issue of the Primate’s retirement”

  • Outgoing Anglican Primate charges Buhari to tackle security challenges

    Outgoing Anglican Primate charges Buhari to tackle security challenges

    The outgoing Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Okoh, who the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has been elected to replace, made the call on Wednesday in Asaba at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Asaba.

    In his message, the outgoing Primate of Anglican Communion thanked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his support to the Church and called on the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.

    Speaking on “Fight The Good Fight Of Faith,” the Primate urged Christians not to be deterred in their efforts to win souls for Christ, urging them to shun greed, selfishness, ambition, division, sin, heretic doctrines, and the like.

    Governor Okowa, who was present at the event, urged Nigerians to shun negative attitudes towards the country, but project it in positive light.

    He cautioned that citizens must resist the temptation, no matter how strong, to join those in the habit of continually condemning and speaking evil of the country and its leaders.

    He said “it is impossible for us to pray right and then speak wrong, because what happens after prayer is as important, if not more important, than the actual prayer.

    “Our words as Christians are powerful; negative words carry the power to invalidate our prayers and derail our expectations.

    “So, let us all take heed and begin today to speak healing, peace, prosperity, progress and accelerated development to Nigeria.

    “My faith is that in no distant time, Nigeria will become one of the most sought-after countries in the world; it shall be well with us as we continue to stand in faith for Nigeria.

    “We need to also teach the flock to release their faith for the purpose of national development and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    “We are not often as determined and steadfast in exercising faith for a transformed Nigeria as we are when it comes to our personal needs.”

    He reaffirmed that Delta had been dedicated to God, saying “our trust is in Him and, therefore, we cannot be put to shame”.

    Okowa commended the Anglican Communion for its steadfastness in preaching the word of God, noting that all over the world, the pulpit was under severe pressure.

    According to him, congregants, having itchy ears, are hardening their ears to the truth and looking for preachers who will tell them what they want to hear.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari has congratulated Archbishop Ndukuba on his election as the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) by the Episcopal Synod of the Church.

    TNG reports the Most Rev. Ndukuba, who is Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese was elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Tuesday, rising from the episcopal synod of the Church held on Tuesday 24th September 2019 at the Cathedral Church of St Peter’s Asaba, Delta State.

    Born in 1959 from Anambra State of Nigeria, the Metropolitan/Primate elect was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe, with seven other Bishops on 21 September 1999.

    On 25 November 1999, the new diocese was inaugurated as the 71st diocese of the Church of Nigeria and he has the first bishop.

    At the General Synod Meeting which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on 22 September 2017, the House of Bishops elected Henry Ndukuba, Bishop of Gombe, as the new Archbishop of Jos. He succeeds Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos.

    Ndukuba, who was Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria, will succeed the Most Rev Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, who would be proceeding to retirement.

    Nduku, married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ndukuba, is noted for a sacrosanct spirituality devoid of ambiguity, and known for his unassuming gentle personality, however, rugged in evangelism.

    President Buhari’s congratulatory message was conveyed via a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The President also felicitated with members of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria on the successful election of a new spiritual leader, who will by the grace of God direct the affairs of the church in the next ten years.

    President Buhari appreciated the role of the Anglican Church in promoting interfaith dialogue, peace, stability, education and social welfare in the country.

    The president said he counted on the Primate-elect, ”to continue in propagating the qualities that epitomises the ministry of Jesus Christ, who taught his followers love, compassion and humility.”

    He also commended the outgoing Primate of the Church, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh, for his dedication, service and leadership, recounting the invaluable support this administration has received from the Church.

    The President wished Ndukuba, who is at present the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jo’s Province of Anglican Communion, a successful tenure as he begins a new phase of ministry as the fifth Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

  • Anglican Primate charges govt. on protection of citizens

    The Primate of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has called on the Federal Government to shield its citizenry from all forms of attacks.

    Okoh made the call on Friday in Abuja during the consecration of three new Bishops and presentation of Archbishops at the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. Bartholomew, Kubwa Abuja.

    The primate noted that the reality on ground indicated that government still needed to do more to instill confidence on the citizens.

    “Nigerians should insist that the government fulfills its social contract with the people to protect their lives and properties.

    “It is the responsibility of the people in power to protect its citizens; if there is a breach of security, we cry to government.

    “If is not done, it is the fault of government, if it’s done the people will rejoice,” he said.

    He charged the newly-consecrated bishops to live up to expectation and advised them to be wary of both politicians and their followers.

    He urged them to concentrate more on their spiritual lives for the maximum spiritual benefit of the people.

    The cleric advised the newly-consecrated bishops not to be carried away by material wealth but to keep fighting the good fight of faith.

    He, however, urged them to always speak for the voiceless, the oppressed and downtrodden without minding the cost.

    Okoh urged the bishops to become vessels for the development of the body and soul of Anglican faithful.

    He advised them to build on existing partnership between the church and the government to ensure societal development.

    The primate also enjoined them to be Apostles to proclaim Christ’s resurrection and interpret the gospel, and testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King and kings.

    “You are called to be the guard of the faith, unity and the discipline of the church, to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the Sacraments of the new covenant, to ordain Priests and Deacons.’’

    The primate, who prayed for the new Bishops, asked God to “fill them with the grace and power which you gave to your apostles that they may lead those committed to their charge in proclaiming the gospel of salvation.

    “Through them increase your church, renew its ministry, and unite its members in a holy fellowship of truth and love.

    “Enable them as true shepherd to feed and govern your flock, make them wise teachers and steadfast as guardians of its faith and Sacraments”.

    The newly-consecrated bishops are Bishop Geoffrey Ekpenisi, Bishop of Ika Diocese in Delta; Bishop Chukwuma Oparah, Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Imo and Bishop Jezreel Vandeh, Bishop of Zaki Biam Diocese, Benue.

     

  • Anglican Communion holds yearly DIVCCON in Abuja

    Anglican Communion holds yearly DIVCCON in Abuja

    Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), says the 8th edition of the Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) provides Christian faithful the opportunity to invest in Jesus and seek the Lord’s face as 2019 election approaches.

    Okoh made this known through the Director of Communication, Ven. Foluso Taiwo, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the theme for the 2018 conference is “I will restore”, adding that the inspiration to institute DIVCCON was the product of meditation.

    “We discovered that most of our meetings, though avenues for prayers and worship, they were essentially administrative in nature.

    “So, I felt under God’s guidance that we should just gather for the purpose of spirituality and do nothing else; speak to edify people, ministrations, prayers and fellowship.

    “It is a platform for people who are not necessarily Anglicans to come and join in worshipping and praising the Almighty God.”

    According to him, the conference will feature exposition on various sub-themes and seminars in the mornings, with the evenings devoted to revival services.

    He said that Anglican faithful in Nigeria and from the Diaspora, among others, were expected to participate in the conference holding at the National Christian Centre, Abuja from Nov. 12 to Nov. 16, 2018.

    The Church of Nigeria has a population of about 18 million and is divided into 14 provinces.

     

  • Mothers’ Union: Anglican Primate harps on voters’ registration

    Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and Bishop of Abuja, has urged women to participate in the political process by exercising their rights in the ongoing voters’ registration.

    Okoh, who was represented by Ven. Ephraim Akanya, made the call in his goodwill message at the 8th Edition of the 2018 Diocesan Mothers’ Sports Fiesta on Saturday in Abuja.

    The primate noted that the voters’ registration was still on and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put all the registration machinery in place to enable more people to register.

    “It is a time of serious political events and so women should be reminded of the fact that voter registration is still on and there should be nobody left out.

    “Everybody should go out and register and also to participate in political processes at this time for the sake of our children.

    “The registration of voters is still on but many people are complaining that when they go there they don’t find the people doing the registration.

    “Please, insist until you are registered; that is the only way you can show and demonstrate your civic responsibility as a Nigerian,’’ he said.

    Primate Okoh, who urged women to cultivate the spirit of sportsmanship, quoted the Holy Book of 1st Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 8, on the need for physical exercise.

    “Sports is very important in the sense that even in the Holy Bible, physical exercise have been given a pass mark.

    “You cannot take away the little profit of physical exercise but godliness profits in all things.

    “We should do everything in such a way that all the glory will go to God,’’ Okoh said.

    We should not only physically fit but also spiritually fit in our homes, churches, places of work and business, so that at the end of this programme the name of God will be glorified.

    Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, President, Mothers’ Union, said that the diocesana sports was to teach women to be agile not just allowing all the fats in the body to accumulate without physical exercise.

    Okoh, however, described sports as part of the society in the sense that it provides opportunity for recreation and interaction.

    According to her, the Mothers’ Sports Fiesta has become a pace setter in the Anglican Communion.

    “So many dioceses now have their own version of how they celebrate the fiesta. Other denominations have equally borrowed a leaf from this.

    “It helps the body to be in a good form; the woman who exercises go up and down and do her work as it should be done.’’

    The Mothers’ Union, who were divided into Archdeaconries showcased different activities like: march past, cultural dances, sword drill, quiz and chair dance.