Okowa decries get-rich-quick syndrome by Nigerians
Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has decried the craze for wealth and material possessions among Nigerians, saying that the people should be more committed to the affairs of God.
The governor spoke on Sunday at the first session of the 15th synod of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ubulu-Okiti, Aniocha South Local Government area of Delta state.
According to Gov. Okowa, the inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions inevitably results in compromise, covetousness and corruption, asserting that “this is perhaps, our greatest undoing as a nation today,
as people want to make money at all cost and the result is what we are seeing all around us – rise in cases of ritual killings, kidnappings, advance fee fraud (popularly known as yahoo yahoo), violent crimes and even occultism in churches.
“While God is committed to meeting our needs, it is also His will that we do not make making money our main pursuit in life; His command remains to seek His kingdom first and all other things will be added (Matthew 6:33),” he stated.
He observed that the theme of the synod: “The pursuit of the vain and the evanescent,” addresses the concerns of mortal beings that are daily caught in the dilemma of whether to pursue after that which is spiritual and therefore, eternal or that which is material and therefore, temporary.
Okowa stated that the choice is not often as easy as it may sound in a Sunday school class because out there in the real world things can get really sticky.
“Truth be told, we need many God-fearing leaders in all facets of our national life; men and women who will think less of themselves, but more of the people that they have been called to serve because it is against the divine order for any leader to attempt to use his position to oppress and boss people around.
“My advice is that we simply live our lives to worship, love, obey, trust God and leave the rest to Him.”
Earlier in a sermon, the Bishop Diocese of Dutse, Rt. Rev. Markus Danbinta urged Christians to store their treasure in heaven rather than on earth, stating that “your deeds here on earth is your treasure in heaven; the deeds of kindness done to the people in need are done for Christ and are treasures in heaven.
“We are so mindful of our own things; we don’t give much attention to other people which is not good and we should know that your character will also, determine if you will go to heaven or not; don’t be too attached to the world, see yourself as someone on pilgrimage earth and aspire to make heaven with your deeds,” the bishop said.
