By Ifeizu Joe
Members of sickle cell community in Anambra State have petitioned the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Bishop Alexander Ibezim, decrying what they called his glaring neglect of their welfare.
A petition to the bishop by the Director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Anambra State, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, which was also made available to journalists in Awka alleged compromise in the education of sickle cell patients schooling in an Anglican school in Agulu, Alpha Schools, Agulu.
Maduagwu who had earlier sent a petition against Canon LumenChristi Eboh, the Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Agulu, who he accused of hosting daily evangelism within the school compound of Alpha Primary and Secondary School, Agulu, with loud public address systems, thereby causing distraction among pupils who are mostly her members.
She however lamented that the bishop has abandoned the petition without acting upon it, saying it is manifest hatred for the group.
Part of her petition read: “Your calculated silence on this petition which has now exceeded 10 working days, is deeply concerning. This silence has planted seeds of doubt in the hearts of Agulu indigene, the PTA of Alpha School, and prominent members of the Agulu Anglican community especially the youths and the women.
“We are beginning to question the resolve of the Chief Shepherd of the Awka Diocese to handle this matter with the competency and urgency it demands.”
She further stated that: “My earlier position regarding the activities of Rev. Eboh remains resolute and unchanged. His persistent and excessive noise pollution, false prophecies and fake miracles conducted under the guise of religious ministration, is directly jeopardizing the academic future of Agulu’s children.
“The volume from his public address systems is so overwhelming that it disrupts the concentration of students and teachers alike, preventing them from following their teachers instructions.
“Rather than focusing on their studies, pupils are frequently distracted and led to dance in their classrooms to the music emanating from these speakers, forcing the teachers to continue shouting on top of their voices. The education of sickle cell children in Alpha School are non-negotiable.
“If your office is unwilling to hold Rev Eboh accountable for his misdeeds, and he is so cherished that he can’t be sanctioned, kindly repost him to your own community, where perhaps his methods of ministration would be tolerated,” she stated.
