Anambra flood: Osinbajo visits as pastors relocate
Bishop, Diocese of Mbamili, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Henry Okeke has said that all the 45 Churches in his Diocese were affected by Anambra flood ravaging the West Local Government Area, Anambra State, Thursday.
Vanguard reports that the Bishop confirmed that most of his pastors have relocated to Onitsha and their home towns for the period of the flood.
He said: “All my 45 Churches are affected by the flood, 3/4 of my pastors have relocated, some to Onitsha while others have my permission to relocate to their home towns for the time being.
“The sufferings of the people, especially our farmers are better imagined. However, the government has stepped into the situation for rescue operations.”
No fewer than six people have lost their lives in Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State, as a result of the devastating flood that has taken over the communities in the area, including the Diocese of Mbamili Cathedral Church of St Michael Umuikwu Anam belonging to the Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion.
This was disclosed to Vanguard in an interview by the traditional ruler of Mmiata Anam, His Royal Highness, Igwe Sylvester Nnose, who was visibly worried that he would soon be evacuating his palace following the threatening flood.
Already, the Bishop Court where Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Okeke’s family live and where he also has his office, has long been submerged and repeated calls made by the Bishop for intervention when the flood was gradually taking over the court was allegedly not headed to.
Bishop Okeke told Vanguard that he has relocated his family out of the Bishop Court and incidentally, St. Johns Anglican Church Umueze Anam where he parked his car and other cars belonging to the Diocese has also been submerged with no place to worship in the Diocese.
Yesterday, Thursday, 20th of September, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited some flood- ravaged parts of Anambra State and pledged Federal Government’s assistance to the affected communities.
According to the Vice President, the federal government would continue to supply food and relief materials to the victims of the flood disaster in the state, explaining that his visit to the state was to assess the level of flooding in the state.
One of the places visited by the Vice President was Umueze Anam in Anambra West local government area. He was accompanied by the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige , Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja.
Source: Vanguard
