By Michael Ilaya
The President of the Christian Men Fellowship/Fathers’ Union of Oleh Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Sir Ben Avre has charged Christians to reject violent tendencies, political hatred and be encouraged to continue to seek greater political participation and meaningful representation for Isoko nation, participate actively and responsibly in politics to enthrone competent Christians to enter politics and provide Godly leadership.
A cross section of participants
The President, who is also, the Community Orientation and Mobilization Officer (COMO) Isoko South LGA, Delta State, for the National Orientation Agency (NOA), stated that men now live in a world where the pursuit of success, wealth, influence, comfort and recognition have become more important than the relationship with God.
He added that though there is nothing wrong with success, wealth or achievement in themselves, the danger of the former are abound when these things become the ultimate ambition.
President Sir Bernard Avre
Sir Avre made the call while delivering his address during The Annual Diocesan Conference of the Christian Men Fellowship/Fathers’ Union (CMF/FU), of the Oleh Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Uzere on Saturday, 26 September, 2026 on the theme: “Living With the End in Mind: Pleasing God” With a focus: If You Fall, Won’t You Rise? taken from the book of 1 Peter 4:7.
“As Christian men, we must constantly remind ourselves that we are not living merely for this world; we are living for eternity. Our possessions will remain behind, our positions will eventually be occupied by others, and our titles will not follow us into the grave”.
speaking on the ultimate ambition of men, according to him, should be that men to please God in accordance with the apostle Paul’s model, saying “as Christian men, our greatest ambition should not merely be to become wealthy, influential, educated or successful; our highest ambition should be to please God as exemplified by Apostle Paul, who said in 2 Corinthians 5:8,
“We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
He further stated that “Your failure is not necessarily your final chapter. You may have fallen, but you can rise. You may have made mistakes, but you can return. You may have disappointed God, but you can repent. You may have wandered away, but you can come back home”.
Lamenting the serious economic, social, political and security challenges, affecting the citizens, the President called on government at all levels and the security agencies to intensify their efforts to put measures in place to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.
He stated that “However, security is not the responsibility of government alone; communities must also cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information and supporting legitimate efforts to combat crime”
On the worrisome and ravaging flood, the Isoko South Local Government Area COMO officer of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), urged residents of flood pronned areas to move to higher grounds should they experience flooding to avoid the associated ugly incidents.
The president in appreciation for the successful hosting of the conference theme tagged: ‘“Living With the End in Mind: Pleasing God” With a focus: If You Fall, Won’t You Rise?, taken from 1 Peter 4:7, acknowledged some personalities for their awesome support.
Prominent among them include the Lord Bishop, the Rt. Revd. J. U. Aruakpor, for his tremendous support and encouragement towards the activities of the Christian Men Fellowship/Fathers’ Union in the Diocese; Sir Guy Eboe Otobo, the Chaplains, Ven. E. A. Onogberie and Ven. Solomon Oboyano; the National President of the Fathers’ Union, Sir Emmanuel A. Abulu; the Diocesan Vice President, Prince Moses Ovedhe; the Immediate Past Diocesan President, Dr. Daniel Oghoghovbe; and the entire Diocesan Executive Committee (EXCO) for their invaluable contributions and support.
Others are the Clergies for their support through their various Archdeaconries and Parishes, with particular reference to the host Archdeacon, Ven. I. G. Okegbe, and the entire Uzere Archdeaconry, and the Council of Knights, Diocese of Oleh, led by Sir Benjamin Ogbalor.
Furthermore in the listed notable supporters who made exceptional contributions toward the success of this Conference to include Rt. Revd. E.B. Emamezi (Rtd), High Chief Iduh Amadhe; Chief Dan Odhomo, Sir Paul Avre; Revd. Can. Prof. U. N. O. Edewor; Prof. Benjamin Okpevra; and Precious Onome amongst others.
