Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has praised the Enugu Catholic Diocese for lifting the ban on Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka’s adoration ministry.
Recall that the ministry was shut down over three months ago as a result of Mbaka’s outburst against Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
The restriction has since been lifted, and mass is scheduled to start at the adoration ground this Sunday, October 2. This was revealed in a report on Thursday.
This was revealed in a succinct statement by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka on Thursday via a Facebook post.
The statement read, ”Dear Adorers, to the glory of God, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen, starts on Sunday 2nd October 2022 with 10 am Mass at the Adoration ground Umuchigbo Iji Nike Emene Enugu State.
“God bless you miraculously as you come to worship God with us, Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka.”
Reacting, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which was in the forefront demanding the re-opening of the ministry, commended Bishop Calistus Onaga for heeding to the pleas of concerned Nigerians.
In a statement by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, he said the decision was long overdue.
“We want to express our profound gratitude to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu for doing the needful. When the Ministry was closed, we said that the decision was a harsh one considering the impact Fr. Mbaka is making in the lives of millions of people, including those he is feeding and paying their bills.
“The closure of that Ministry no doubt took a toll on the lives of those his dependants; all the same, it is better late than never. We commend His Lordship, Bishop Calistus Onaga for heeding to our plea and that of many other Nigerians,” Okwu said.
The Igbo youth leader, however, said it was necessary for the Catholic Church leadership to avoid a repeat of such development, which according to him “ is being fueled by envy against Fr. Mbaka’s rare spiritual gifts.”
“Some of his colleagues in the priesthood are envious of his gifts, but one thing they should understand is that God gives grace. So, they should stop running to the Bishop to blackmail Fr. Mbaka,” Okwu added.