By Matthew Unyove
The newly consecrated Bishop of Ozoro Diocese of the Anglican communion, RT Reverend Benjamin Idume has promised to work in synergy with the members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Isoko Chapel, in the discharge of his duties even as he calls for collaboration of the press in the reportage of the Diocese activities.
RT Reverend Idume made the pledge Monday at the Bishop’s Court, Ozoro, the administrative headquarters of the Diocese when he granted audience to members of the NUJ that paid him a courtesy and familiarization visit.
The Bishop who went down memory lane to narrate how the Diocese came into being, pointed out that Ozoro Diocese is created from the present Oleh Diocese of the Anglican Communion with the view of winning more converts to Christ through evangelism.
Bishop Benjamin Idume however, dismissed insinuations emanating from certain quarters that Ozoro Diocese was created based on the existing political divide in the area.
He also stated that despite the eleven Archdeaconries that made up the new Diocese,which some commentators term to be imbalance compared to Oleh Diocese with 23 Archdeaconries, Idume was emphatic that the disparity would energies their zeal to evangelize and plant more churches.
Rt. Reverend Idume disclosed that, despite the numerous teething challenges faced as a new Diocese in terms of infrastructural developments, the Church of God is a progressive body which is tied to certain objectives like political and economic factors to survive.
As cardinal point of his duties, Rt. Reverend Idume revealed that he has commenced familiarization visit to Archdeaconries including Iyede-Ame, Umuolu, Ashaka and Ofagbe Archdeaconries in the recent times.
He however, assured the pressmen practitioners that more strategic efforts would be deployed to evangelism which is the basis of Christ’s command to preach the gospel to every creature and to teach them to observe all things to behave like Christ.
Earlier, the leader of Isoko Chapel of the NUJ Comrade Emmanuel Ekebe, had intimated the Bishop of their mission which was to congratulate and felicitate with him as the newly enthroned Bishop of the Diocese.
Comrade Ekebe also sued for cordial working relationship in terms of media coverage of the Diocese activities as partners in progress.
Those who were present during the courtesy visit include, Comrades Michael Ilaya, Chairman of Isoko Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Edede Jonadab, Vice Chairman, Unyove Matthew, Secretary, Comrade Ohoror Kelvin, Financial Secretary and Comrade Ekemena Azaino, member.
