Okoh dedicates Compass Rose water factory, cautions workers to resist devil

In the Church, nothing is done carelessly; and everything that is done has a purpose. These were the words of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Bishop of the Diocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, at the dedication of Compass Rose Table Water Factory owned by the women ministry of the Diocese of Abuja.

Explaining the rationale behind the dedication, Okoh said the dedication is to make holy and the decision to dance and sing around the vicinity is to dedicate the place to Almighty God and drive away every evil that is resident in the environment.

He appreciated all those who contributed to the completion of the project that commenced since 2012, especially the committee and women executives and his wife, Mrs. Nkasiobi Okoh. He described the project as a form of evangelism, whereby people in the community are given access to clean water that is a necessity for life.

The Primate prayed that the factory, which is situated in the Kuje axis of Abuja, will flourish and give birth to other projects that will benefit humanity and the Church of God. He also noted that wherever Christians work to do exploits, the devil is never far away; adding that there is no organisation too powerful that satan could not attack.

Urging Christians not to be careless, Okoh cautioned those who will work in the factory to resist the devil, so as not to be an instrument of destruction to the place. He advised managers to be accountable and give detailed reports of happenings, not just to their heads but also to the Primate, who he said must be informed at all times.

Meanwhile, in an interview after the service, the Primate urged the government to take lead in addressing the issue of unemployment in the country, explaining that the Church could only do so much. He said the Church is assisting as much as it could in creating jobs for the people; however, the government that controls the resources of the people should use these resources to provide for them.

Head of the Anglican Church in Nigeria added that whilst it is important to fight insecurity, it is also important to provide legitimate jobs to engage the people. He, however, suggested the restoration of the Railway system as a means of reducing the unemployment situation in the country; even as he advised government to suspend some other things to achieve this.

On xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, the Primate urged government to handle the situation diplomatically and not irrationally; stating that in the cause of public outcry things could go wrong.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, who is also Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) added that the government of Nigeria and South Africa must do everything possible to protect the longstanding relationship shared by both countries.

He called on both governments to calmly manage the situation to avoid escalating more than it already has done.