By Tobias Ekirika
It was a celebration of faith, discipline and service at SS John and Paul Parish, Iba Pope, Awada, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the Man of Order and Discipline of Nigeria (MOD) installed the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Maduka Agba, as its new Deputy Archdiocesan Chaplain for the Onitsha Archdiocese.
The installation ceremony, held last Sunday, followed a Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Agba and attracted parishioners, MOD members from various parishes across the Onitsha Archdiocese, friends and well-wishers.
Also present was the Onitsha Archdiocesan Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Evaristus Nwagbala, popularly known as “Onowu Jesus.”
In his homily, Fr. Agba described love as a universal language that transcends religion and tribe, urging Christians to demonstrate love and kindness to one another at all times.
He noted that acts of love and kindness rendered to others would yield positive rewards in the future.
Speaking with newsmen after the ceremony, the Onitsha Archdiocesan Commander of MOD, Lt. Col. Okwudili Ezemba, said Fr. Agba was selected because of his longstanding commitment, love and consistent support for the organisation, particularly during his service as Chaplain at 003 Ogidi.
Ezemba expressed confidence that the new Deputy Chaplain would contribute significantly to the growth of MOD within and beyond his parish.
He also appealed to other parish priests in the archdiocese to establish MOD units in their parishes.
The commander further appealed to the Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, and other well-meaning individuals to support the organisation’s plan to construct an Archdiocesan Secretariat at Iba Pope, Awada.
A former Commander of MOD, Lt. Col. Engr. Johnbosco Nnamdi Iburu, said the organisation’s responsibilities include protecting the Blessed Sacrament and helping to prevent criminals from infiltrating the church.
Iburu thanked Fr. Agba for his moral support and for donating land for the proposed secretariat project.
Responding, Fr. Agba, popularly known as “Omere-Ora,” expressed gratitude to the MOD leadership for finding him worthy of the appointment and pledged to continue supporting the growth and development of the organisation.
He also called on the Federal Government to consider arming the organisation, arguing that its members are physically, morally and spiritually trained and could contribute to the protection of lives and property in churches and the wider society.
Fr. Agba further encouraged parents to allow their children to join the para-military organisation, saying it could help promote security awareness, discipline, moral formation, fear of God and respect for humanity.
Tags: OD #OnitshaArchdiocese #FrAgba
