Remember your identity, don’t joke with workers’ salary, AG church tells council boss
By Steve Oko
The leadership of Assemblies of God Church 5 – 8 Item Street Umuahia, has admonished the newly appointed Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Mr. Neighbour Onwukaike ( an engineer), to always be conscious of his identity and shun any temptation to compromise his faith in the course of his duty as a council boss.
The admonishment came during a courtesy visit on the Chairman by members of the Church Board led by the Senior Minister, the Reverend Young Alozie on Saturday.
Speaking during the visit, the Rev. Alozie charged the council boss to remain a good ambassador of the church by dissociating with anything that could bring the image of the church to disrepute.
He charged him to see his appointment as an opportunity to serve God and humanity better, and not for personal aggrandizement.
“The name AG (Assemblies of God) rings bell, so, protect it with jealousy”, the cleric advised.
He also urged him not to see his elevation as an excuse to relent in his devotion and service to God, positing that if he puts God first , God will make his job easy for him.
The Senior Minister thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for giving Onwukaike , who he described as true Christian and a man of uncommon humility, an opportunity to serve as a council boss.
He assured the Governor that Onwukaike would not let him down but serve with the fear of God and impact on the lives of the people.
Adding his voice, the Church Secretary, Ambassador Deacon Joe Ijioma, advised the TC Chairman never to joke with workers’ salary and welfare if he would want posterity to remember him for good.
The human development expert argued that “a worker deserves his wage”, and that since provisions for workers’ salaries were made in the federation allocation accruing to councils, “workers should not be owed”.
“Have value for human lives. Don’t joke with workers’ salary if you want to succeed “, he said.
The Church scribe also advised Onwukaike, a prominent member of the church to also respect rules of financial engagement and shun any suspicious deals.
He equally advised him to engage experts for efficiencient service delivery, reminding him that the appointment was an opportunity to prove his mettle, and that he could not afford to fail.
Ijioma further asked the council boss to identify the key needs of communities in the council and tackle them based on available resources.
” You may not solve all of their problems but identify the key ones and tackle them with vigour so that at the end of your tenure the people can have any tangible thing to remember you for.”
He also urged him to always seek divine guidance and distance himself from anything that could ridicule the image of the church.
The church scribe wished him well in his new portfolio, assuring him of the steadfast prayers of the church.
Responding, the TC Chairman thanked members of the Church Board for the visit, and assured them that he would not disappoint the church nor the people.
He however, told the church leadership not to hesitate to call him to order if he errs.
” I will put God first and I know God will give me the grace to surmount all that I will meet.
” I will be careful not to bring shame to the church nor destroy my integrity. But I count on your prayers.
“If you see me derail please don’t hesitate to call me back “, he pleaded.
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