Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and Bishop of Abuja, has urged women to participate in the political process by exercising their rights in the ongoing voters’ registration.
Okoh, who was represented by Ven. Ephraim Akanya, made the call in his goodwill message at the 8th Edition of the 2018 Diocesan Mothers’ Sports Fiesta on Saturday in Abuja.
The primate noted that the voters’ registration was still on and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to put all the registration machinery in place to enable more people to register.
“It is a time of serious political events and so women should be reminded of the fact that voter registration is still on and there should be nobody left out.
“Everybody should go out and register and also to participate in political processes at this time for the sake of our children.
“The registration of voters is still on but many people are complaining that when they go there they don’t find the people doing the registration.
“Please, insist until you are registered; that is the only way you can show and demonstrate your civic responsibility as a Nigerian,’’ he said.
Primate Okoh, who urged women to cultivate the spirit of sportsmanship, quoted the Holy Book of 1st Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 8, on the need for physical exercise.
“Sports is very important in the sense that even in the Holy Bible, physical exercise have been given a pass mark.
“You cannot take away the little profit of physical exercise but godliness profits in all things.
“We should do everything in such a way that all the glory will go to God,’’ Okoh said.
We should not only physically fit but also spiritually fit in our homes, churches, places of work and business, so that at the end of this programme the name of God will be glorified.
Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, President, Mothers’ Union, said that the diocesana sports was to teach women to be agile not just allowing all the fats in the body to accumulate without physical exercise.
Okoh, however, described sports as part of the society in the sense that it provides opportunity for recreation and interaction.
According to her, the Mothers’ Sports Fiesta has become a pace setter in the Anglican Communion.
“So many dioceses now have their own version of how they celebrate the fiesta. Other denominations have equally borrowed a leaf from this.
“It helps the body to be in a good form; the woman who exercises go up and down and do her work as it should be done.’’
The Mothers’ Union, who were divided into Archdeaconries showcased different activities like: march past, cultural dances, sword drill, quiz and chair dance.