(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

According to the Rt. Rev. Dr. David Kayode Bello, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Otukpo, a Deacon or Priest has no working hours, they are always on call and they dare not say, no. This was his submission at the Service of Diaconate Ordination of the Abuja Anglican Diocese held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Bishop Bello emphasized that the call of God is to serve and to be a slave of God, explaining that a servant has working hours, but a slave has no working hours. He quoted the Bible passage where Jesus said that anyone who wants to be great must be a servant and anyone who wants to be first must be a slave to substantiate his point, adding that the call to ministry is a call to service.

Speaking on the topic, “The call to serve,” the guest preacher pointed out that there are three types of Clergy men – those whom God called, those who called themselves and those whom satan has sent. He said that these three categories of Priests can be found in all denominations, adding that it is unfortunate that those who called themselves are more in number than those God has called. The cleric explained that many people decide to do Church work, because of unemployment and joblessness; but thanked God that it was not so in the Anglican Diocese of Abuja, where according to him, the Primate is careful about those he ordains into the ministry.

Bishop Bello mentioned that those whom satan has called are now in the Anglican Communion, promoting teachings and doctrines, such as same sex marriage, which are contrary to the word of God. He opined that such persons have been sent to destabilize the Church and by their fruits one can know them. Quoting from the Scriptures, the Bishop of Otukpo charged the congregation to do all to make the work easy for their Priests and ensure that they treat them with respect; explaining that if men who serve men can be so honoured and well paid, how much more those who are servants of God.

The Rt. Rev. David Bello concluded his message with a call to all to note that they have been called to serve on earth, irrespective of whether they are ordained Priests. He stressed that what Nigeria really needs is a restructuring of the mind and not the nation, because according to him, even if the country is restructured, it is still the same corrupt minds that would be leaders and thus, corruption would continue. He stated that when a person in position serves and uses the money given for what it is meant for, no one would be interested in which tribe that leader is from. Therefore, Bishop Bello enjoined all to live like Jesus Christ, who gave His life for many.

In an exclusive interview with the press, Primate Okoh appealed to the leaders of the country to concentrate on improving the standard of living of the people and not just that of politicians. He said that so many things are being mismanaged in the country to the detriment of the masses, who cannot afford otherwise. He further advised the government at all levels to adequately sensitize Nigerians on the meaning and scope of the restructuring being clamoured for in the country today, before any decision is made regarding it.

Highpoints of the service was the presentation of those to be made Deacons by the Sub Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the Ven. Benjamin Idume and their ordination by the Archbishop and Bishop of Abuja Anglican Diocese, the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh. The newly ordained deacons are Rev. Chidozie Ezike, a graduate of Immanuel College, Ibadan with a bachelor’s degree in Theology, Emmanuel Ikuejuwajo, a graduate of Archbishop Vining college of Theology, Akure with a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Gaius Madaki, a bachelor’s degree graduate of Divinity from Trinity College of Northern Nigeria, Bukuru Jos.