Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the supreme Igbo sociocultural group, applauded the Enugu Catholic Diocese for removing the restriction on Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s adoration service.
It may be recalled that the ministry was shut down more than three months ago as a result of Mbaka’s outburst directed against Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate for president of the Labour Party.
Though mass is anticipated to start at the adoration ground on Sunday, October 2, PulseNets reported on Thursday that the ban has officially been lifted.
Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka revealed this in a succinct remark in a Facebook post on Thursday.
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.”
In response, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which had been at the forefront of calls for the ministry’s reopening, praised Bishop Calistus Onaga for listening to the concerns of Nigerians.
The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the decision was long overdue in a statement.
“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 Catholic Church leadership, according to the Igbo youth leader, must prevent a repetition of this development, which is, in his words, “ 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.
