The Bishop of Ukwa Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Manasses C. Okere has urged Christians to labour for the food that endures until eternity instead of placing their premium on things that can perish.
Bishop Okere gave this admonition on Friday during his sermon at the burial service of late Sir Christian Ogboadah Nwagbara at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Government Area.
Taking his message from the book of John chapter 6 verse 27, Okere, who stated that it was not God’s original intention for man to labour in vain, added that God had purposed that man’s labour would not be tedious but fruitful.
While stating that Jesus encourages labour that leads to eternal life, the Bishop highlighted that those that don’t use their position for the benefit of mankind, were labouring for the bread that perishes.
He said, “Anything that you labour for outside Jesus Christ is a labour that perishes. Look for that food that can give eternal life.”
Late Sir Christian Ogboadah Nwagbara was born on the 21st of March, 1936 into the family of late Elder Jeremiah and Mrs Florence Nwaeke Tamunokuro Nwagbara, a palm merchant who traded with the Portuguese and the British.
He started his career working with Dan Ibekwe in the early 50’s before joining the Eastern Nigeria Public Service as a Personal Secretary to the Premier of Eastern Region, Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe between 1956 and 1959. He was transferred to the Federal Public Service, and he continued working with the great Zik of Africa until Zik became the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Late Christian Ogbondah Nwagbara also worked with the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Dan Onuorah Ibekwe. He was transferred to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and later to the Federal Court of Appeal where he worked between 1977 and 1979.
In 1980, he started work with the National Agip Oil Company, (NAOC) after he had left the Civil Service. He rose to the position of Head, Employee Relations before retiring in March 1994.
Late Nwagbara also served as a member of the Governing Council of Federal University of Technology, (FUTO).
Dignitaries from many walks of life graced the burial ceremony, including prominent sons of Ohambele; former Senate President, Dr. Adolphus Wabara, Chief Sir & Lady Marc Wabara, Rev’d Felix Akara, High Chief Oxford Wabara and Dr. Babanta Cyril Babanta.
Among the prominent Ukwa sons that attended the ceremony, which witnessed a large turnout of members of the Knight of St. Christopher, were Chief Malcolm Akuata and Chief Chijioke Wabara, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Barrister Nnadozie Okpkiri, the APC candidate for the Ukwa East State Assembly, Comrade Darlington Iwor, Chief William Nwanguma and Chief Dave Ordor.
