Paul’s University Secondary School, Nibo- Nise 2020 Confirmation: Archbishop Ibezim calls on youths to embrace hard work

The Archbishop, Ecclesiastical province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim PhD, yesterday urged youths to embrace the spirit of hardworking in order to fulfil their purposes in life.

Archbishop Ibezim who said this while giving his charge at the St. Mark’s Chapel, Paul’s University Secondary School, Nibo- Nise in a programme to mark the confirmation and admission into Girls Guild for students of the school as well as those of Archbishop Peterson Memorial Chapel, Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka said only hard work pays.

Bishop Ibezim who spoke to newsmen shortly after the service, said the confirmation of the children is geared towards making the children alert to the challenges of life that are so enormous especially as they are still in their youthful age.

Bishop Ibezim remarked that Monday 30th was a day set aside as St. Andrews day and urged the children to emulate St Andrew; a renowned disciple of God and be their brother’s keeper even as he said that it is pertinent to have them rooted in Christ to await the second coming of the Lord.

Bishop Ibezim who enjoined the youths to work hard in service of God , added that the children were admonished to stand firm in the Lord, be prayerful and create time to study the word of God without slacking in working hard as according to him, “hardworking, is part of life.”

He said, “the church does not look away from these challenges and that is why this program admonishes them to stand firm in the Lord. Be prayerful and create time to study the word of God, not slacking in working hard, because hardworking, is part of life. The society is fast adopting a method of being enriched without working hard, the church frowns at this. “Even God does not bless who does not work hard”.

He noted that the church is working tirelessly to inculcate into the youths the need to work hard. His words: “We are therefore, inculcating in them the habit of hardworking. They must work hard in their studies and must pray hard as if they are not working and must seek the face of God, above all, to be a true child of God. When we catch them young, they become useful tools for the society. After much screening, today, we confirmed the children and admitted some of the girls in the girls guild. We believe that God will bless them.”

While advising the newly admitted girls to keep their body holy, Archbishop Ibezim said that the girls guild society is a way of taming young girls especially at the adolescent stage, advising them to abstain from any sexual immortality and materialism. He however extolled his wife , who is also the President Mothers’ Union and Girls Guild, Mrs Chioma Ibezim who according to the Archbishop has used her position to impact lives of girls and women in the Diocese.

Delivering his sermon earlier, the Vicar Church of the Holy Spirit Awka, Ven Dr Rex Kanu enjoined Christians to build new life that will help them overcome obstacles of life adding that Christians must have the will of God for they are incomplete without such.

Ven Dr Kanu who spoke on the importance of the holy spirit to Christians said that Nigeria is embroiled in confusion and terror because the leaders lack gift of Holy Spirit to overcome its many challenges. He regretted that many now engage magicians and fake pastors who they see as an easy route to success.

He charged the youths to exempt themselves from heinous crimes and immoralities that could truncate their service and obedience to God assuring them that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the best.

The Principal of Paul’s University college, Reverend Joseph Onyibo who conducted the service had described the students as the best crop any school should have and charged them to take God first and not to be distracted by negative lifestyle mostly witnessed in the society.

Speaking with www.odogwublog.com after the confirmation service, one of the successful students from Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka ,Master Ejim Chidi Stanley said that the the sacrament of confirmation will rekindle the spirit to worship God even as he said that the commandments will guide him to live a righteous life.