CIDJAP Facilitates Retreat For Enugu State Government Officials
The three arms of Enugu state Government gathered at the Ofu-Obi Africa centre on the 30th of March 2010 for the Easter retreat. The retreat with the theme “THE CHRISTIAN, POLITICS AND GOVERNACE: OPPORTUNITY & CHALLENGES was organized by the catholic chaplaincy, Government house Enugu and facilitated by the Rev. Msgr. Obiora Ike, Director CIDJAP Enugu.
In his opening remarks, the catholic bishop of Enugu diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga admonished the public servants to always create time from their busy schedule for reflection, prayer and other spiritual exercises. In his paper entitled, “CHRIST GOVERNANCE & EASTER”, Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku reminded the government functionaries of the need to always sharpen their axes in order to function better.
According to the clergy man, the more people flocking to prayer houses seeking for miracles shows the failure of the government who could not meet up with the needs of the governed.
While acknowledging that the present administration in the state has brought about a lot of changes, he emphasized the need to step down the positive changes, he emphasized the need to step down the positive changes to the grassroot.
Fr Njoku made it clear to the government officials that they would be facing three tribunals; first is the people in 2011 general election, second is history and third is God.
In another paper, “THE CHRISTIAN IN PUBLIC LIFE”, Venerable Prof. Chinedu O. Nebo, an Anglican clergy and former Vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka emphasized that the Christian in public life must dethrone the self for public good using biblical figures such as Moses, Joseph, Esther, Daniel and John the Baptizer, Paul the Apostle etc. He pointed out the characteristics of a Christian in public life.
In a reaction, the deputy governor of Enugu state, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi who represented the state governor Bar. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime thanked the Catholic chaplaincy for organizing the event and wished that such event should be held for them more often. Other highlights of the retreat include the praise worship, prayer and scriptural reading.
