By Our correspondent
Petty traders have metaphorically taken over the ongoing synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Awka Synod as they make brisk sales.
Their actions noticably were a kind of distraction to the synod as delegates were seen in their numbers making purchases.
Visibly angered by the development, an attendee quipped: “These are the type of characters Jesus drove out when he entered the temple courts. Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. But here we allowed it because many of the traders are highly connected .
Our correspondent reports that the traders expressed joy over the bumper businesses they are making in the course of the event.
The four-day church high profile diocesan meeting is taking place at the Church of Pentecost, Awka.
On display are different items ranging from clothes to edibles and books, including Bibles and telecommunication materials.
A respondent, Comfort Udembaeze, who is the diocesan marketing coordinator, said that since the synod started, sales have been impressive.
Mr Udembaeze who deals in confectionery, soft drinks, and local delicacies said she had value for her time and money in the programme.
“The morning rain on (Friday) was showers of blessings as there was no disruption of sales despite the rain fall,” she said.
A sales representative for Airtel, a mobile telephone service provider, Chidinmma Nwachukwuma, said that sales were picking up, expressing hope for more patronage in the days ahead.
Mrs Nwachukwuma said that the network had a wider reach with steady internet services and was optimistic of greater sales at the synod.
She said that Airtel Internet 4G pocket WiFi sold for N10,000, while the Smartbox went for N18,000 with unlimited data.
“We now sell our call SIM for N10,00. We brought the product down to the people here for convenience’’, she stated.
Some traders who spoke on condition of anonymity commended the organisers of the Synod for providing enough space for them.
Meanwhile, a delegate at the synod, Chinenye Nwoye, expressed satisfaction over the running of the programme so far on the second day of the event.
Mrs Nwoye said that delegates surely would gain from the sessions.
“We are well fed, time space for discussion is well arranged and the facilitators are sound for the word of God. I have no regret attending the 2024 synod, hosted by Awka Central Archdeaconry, I am having an amazing time away from home,” she said.
Chairman, committee on entertainment, Chima Nwamadu, expressed gratitude to God for the success so far recorded at the event.
Mr Nwamadu said that prices of things, including food items were high and that caused a great concern to the committee.
“We were budgeting for at least 1,000 delegates but the way prices of food stuff were rising posed a challenge but we can say all has been well managed”, he stated.
There are various committees at the Synod including security, medical, traffic control, accommodation, media and protocols.
The synod has its theme as “Running The Christian Race: Implications for the church in perilous times.”
The president of the synod, The Most Revd Alexander Ibezim, in his charge urged the faithful to be keen on the theme of the synod and rebuild their lives.
