The Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Michael Apochi will celebrate the opening Mass at the first National Women Congress under the auspices of the National body of Saint Mathew Edumoga Catholic Community(SMECC) which will take place at Our Lady of Mount Camel Parish Ojapo, in Edumoga District of Okpokwu Local government area of Benue State.
The 3-day event which will commence on November 24-26 with the theme: “In a grave Crisis, God can deliver His People through the Prayers of Women” is sequel to the disturbing activities of kidnappers and banditry in the last few years which has left many Edumoga sons and daughters killed in the process, whole leaving others homeless.
The National President of SMECC, Mr Sunday Adokwu while speaking to newsmen recently in Abuja said the Edumoga Catholic Women have decided to take the bull by the horn by holding the coming event to appeal to Almighty God for his divine intervention as part of efforts to rid Edumoga Land of crimes and criminalities.
“The vast majority of my people have been attacked gruesomely by bandits and unknown gunmen and remained helpless in the face of the rising insecurity”, he said.
He noted that the theme for the event was carefully chosen giving the role women played in biblical times where their prayers went before God to avert crisis, referring to the book of Judith 9:1-14, adding that prayers from our women can go a long way in delivering Edumoga Land.
The line up of the programme for the event include the midnight prayer which will be Led by Rev Fr. Augustine Otanwa over the affected people in the crisis, which will be followed by the first talk by Sister Christiana Onah which will dwell on “The Lord is mighty in battle”.
The second talk will be delivered by Rev Fr. Samuel Ochife on the topic: “Continue to be Steadfast”, while the third talk by Rev Fr. Dominic Oche will focus on “Restore My Life O’ Lord” and the programme will be moderated by the National Chaplain of SMECC, Rev Fr. Joseph Agbulu Eche.
The highlight of the programme on November 25 will be launching of the National Congress brochure to be chaired by Mr Joseph Enejo, the Acting Vice President of Edumoga National Forum.
