St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Obokwu, Ozuzu Etche, was the meeting point for all and sundry members of the church, freight forwarders and other stakeholders, as they gather to honour the mother of one of their own, Ezinne Comfort Nwala.
Speaking on the significance of Mothering Sunday, Vicar of the Anglican Church Parish, Ozuzu Etche, Rev. Gift Nwosu, who made reference to the book of Titus 2 : 3,4 and 5, said that the church will always look out for those that are qualified in the community or society for its honour.
Rev. Nwosu maintained that the Ezinne title is meant for those women in the church that have distinguished themselves in the service of God and humanity, which Mrs. Comfort Nwala represents.
The clergy went further to state that the Ezinne title in the Anglican Church is not meant for younger women, but for the matured and experienced women in the institution of marriage and those that can mentor others.
The Vicar, who enumerated on some great men in the bible that had one challenge or the other in their lives as a result of bad wives, opined that the church will always honour and celebrate good women and not the bad ones, while urging women to love their husbands and their children.
The clergy further used the medium to commend Chief Uche Johnson Nwala, the first son of Ezinne Comfort Nwala and his wife in particular, for allowing and supporting her husband to commence building a church auditorium for St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Obokwu, Ozuzu Etche.
Speaking in an interview with Nigerian MomentumNews & Online Magazine, Chief Uche Nwala, the MD/CEO, UC DEVOJ (freight forwarders), thanked God for the life of his mother, and the church for the honour bestowed on her as the first Ezinne of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.
On the church building, Chief Nwala said: ‘My father was the one that advised me to build an auditorium for the church, when he was alive. But my mother kept reminding me to start the project and even promised to give me money to kick start the church building.
“I can say that my mother and my wife at a point, ambushed me by dropping a trip of sand at the church site, and that prompted me to say no no no, I have to start this project and that was how I started the building.
“I am building the church auditorium in memory of my father, though not by my own power, but by the grace of God.
“In the next one or two years, I will invite friends to come for the dedication of the church building in memory of my father,” Chief Nwala stated.
On the request to be the first Knight of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Chief Nwala said: “People used to call me Sir, Sir, Sir. I think this is the right time. So, I have accepted to honour the call for the sake of my late father and my mother,” Chief Nwala assured
The freight forwarder, who used the medium to respond on the recently concluded Onne Seaport chapter election of ANLCA, said he was optimistic that Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa) was going to win the election, having secured the support all Rivers licensed agents in his favour.
Chief Nwala, who disclosed knowing Chief Isikaku for more than 30 years and his leadership capability, assured that Chief Isikaku in the next 3 to 4 months will start a signature project for members of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter.
In an interview, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa), the recently inaugurated Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, described Ezinne Comfort Nwala as a woman of impeccable character, who stood to train her children to become what they are, today.
He lauded Chief Uche Nwala for raising men that have built mansions in Ozuzu Etche, compared to what the area used to look like, when he visited in 1995.
The MD/CEO of Godify Towers Nigeria Limited (Operators of Slot Bonded Terminal), pointed out that they were at Obokwu, Ozuzu Etche to identify with one of their own, Chief Uche Nwala and to honour his mother, who was conferred with Ezinne title by St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Obokwu, Ozuzu Etche.
Recalling on his electioneering campaign manifesto, Chief Isikaku assured of his determination to kickstart a 500 capacity conference hall and 20-30 rooms guests’ house for ANLCA members, Onne Seaport chapter.
He further assured of providing 2 more buses for logistics and other engagements of ANLCA.
In the same vein, Hon. Ikechukwu Anselm Okechukwu, National Association of Government Registered Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Onne Seaport chapter, commended Chief Uche Nwala for the show of love and support to his mother on the conferment of Ezinne title on her by the church.
Hon. Okechukwu while admitting certain increases in Nigeria Customs duties, said it was not peculiar to Customs alone, adding that it affects all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He opined that NAGAFF as an association, alongside ANLCA and other related associations that operates at the ports, are working for the common good of their members, and as well, generating revenue for the federal government, through the Customs Service.
“Based on the weight of these increments on freight forwarders and to cushion the effect of its shock, we suggested the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) approach to the Federal Government, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Terminal Operators, to enable freight forwarders pay the charges in bit, for a period of 2 to 3 years.” Hon. Okechukwu suggested.
