Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former Executive Governor of Imo State, presenting SWAN Bronze sculptural 60th Birthday gift to Rt. Revd Collins Chidi Oparaojiku, the Anglican Bishop of Ohaji at Umuokanne in Ohaji Egbema LGA of imo state.
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Last Saturday,Chief Ikedi Ohakim , former Governor of Imo State made a historical impact as he dramatically volunteered and presented a master piece sculptural bronze, 60th birthday gift from Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN), Imo State Chapter to Rt. Revd Chidi Collins Oparaojiaku PhD, the Bishop of Ohaji Egbema Anglican Diocese.
Ohakim who in 2010 was decorated as the association’s Grand Patron by the National Leadership of SWAN in view of his immense contributions in sports development, growth and transformation not only in Imo state but Nigeria at Large as he piloted the affairs of the state from 2007 – 2011.
The former Governor who attended the occasion held at Cathedral of ST. Peter Umuokanne Ohaji in Ohaji Egbema council area with his wife Chioma as the crowd were euphorically shouting Ochinanwata ! Ochinanwata!! Ochinanwata!!! to his admiration as he athletically stepped out and presented the gift to the amiable Chief Host who was graciously looking younger than his age.
He congratulated, Mr. Everest Ezihe for his emergence as the Chairman of Imo State SWAN while expressing gratitude to the association for remembering His Lord Bishop whom he described as a true servant of God and enjoined members of the association to remain focused and committed in the ethics and tenets of their Journalism profession.
Similarly, Engr. Raymond Ogara, who is a Co-Chairman of the Bishop’s 60th birthday party Planning and Organizing Committee as well as a knight of Saint Christopher of the church described the celebrant as “God sent” inview of his contributions in the upliftment of the diocese and its populace.
Ogara who also was one time President of the Diocese recalled that the Bishop birthday which is an annual event was supposed to have been held in March this year but due to the Corona Virus pandemic the events were shifted as dated .
The Co-Chairman opined that the diocese never taxed members for the celebration but rather few people, philanthropically, bank rolled the bills justifying their appreciation of the Bishop’s selfless services to humanity and Christendom at large.
He pointed out that the celebrant is also on a mission of converting the people to worship God in truth and spirit recalling how he discouraged most christians of the diocese from attending their foremost Owu cultural fiesta.
According to him ” Bishop Oparaojiaku have allieviated the sufferings of many indigent members of the diocese and equally uplifted them spiritually through his educational and enterprenurship Foundations.
It’s under the instrumentality of his hard work that Umuokanne which was a church rose to the position of a Parish with 6 churches , thus he is instrumental to the planting of an additional 5 new churches under the parish. Within a short period,he has built the Parish into Cathedral, geometrically expanding with lots of infrastructural developments ” he revealed.
Ogara passionately appealed to the dioceseans to give the Bishop maximum support insisting that the man of God means well to Christendom and the populace.
