Okoro drums for synergy among Churches and Host communities


By Raw Reporters


Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro, PhD, AICMC, has urged churches and host communities in Delta State to ensure synergy for the desired results to be achieved.


The Special Adviser made the call on  Friday, December 10, 2021 while speaking at a Stakeholders' Meeting for Churches and Host Communities in Delta State, held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.


Dr. Okoro, who doubles as Pioneer Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, noted that religious practices and cultural practices can coexist in communities once there is mutual respect and understanding.


He said, “Our knowledge of religion is a set of beliefs, symbols and practices which is based on the idea of the sacred, which unites believers into a socio-religious community. Religion according to Karl Marx ‘is the opium of the people’. Marx's actual words regarding religion deserve reflections of positive thought that will promote better societies in our respective rural communities where peace should thrive.


“Religion affects the society in that it gives the idea that life has a purpose. The reason religion is so ppopular is that it provides comfort and hope. In addition, religion answers to crucial questions such as why we are created by God Almighty and what is our purpose on earth are given.


“Based on this background, I fervently believe that religious practices and our cultural practices can co-exist in our communities once there is mutual respect and mutual understanding.


“From what may appear a selfish perspective from my Office as Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, we need peace in our communities to provide an enabling environment for government intervention in the provision of infrastructure and development. We also need to make our rural communities attractive to potential local and foreign investors. For this to happen there must be peace in our communities”, he said.


Earlier on his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Senior Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, noted that this stakeholders meeting was approved by His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, and it was aimed at fashioning out a way to ensure that the Church and their host communities coexist peacefully with one another for a stronger Delta.


He pointed out that his office for some time had been inundated with series of complaints bothering on misunderstanding between the Church and their host communities in the State particularly during burial and festive periods which had led to seizure of church instruments; and that in some cases, Pastors were beaten up; while in some communities, Christian women were requested to go naked with other women in the area to swear which is contrary to the doctrine and belief of the Christian faith.


The meeting was graced by Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaiah Bozimo Esq represented by Ojefia Juliet (Mrs);  Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor (JP); Delta State Commissioner of Police ably represented;  Church leaders and their host communities.




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