The Christian Association of Igbo Ministers (CAIM), has successfully concluded its annual summit in Abia State, culminating in a heartfelt appeal to the Igbo people to come together in prayer, seeking God’s divine intervention to heal and restore their land.
In its 6th World summit held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia,Abia State, the gospel ministers of Igbo extraction, harped the need to come together, so as to chart the way forward in the South East region.
Speaking at the Summit, the International President of CAIM, Apostle Solomon Chukwuemeka Okorie,emphasized that the primary objective of the summit is to unify the Igbo nation through the power of the gospel. He stressed the importance of supporting and empowering Igbo ministers in their respective ministries, fostering growth and collective progress.
“It’s a common phenomenon among Ndigbo to extend support to outsiders in various spheres, including politics, ministry, business and more, rather than, empowering their own kin”. An attitude he said must be discarded in order for the region to witness substantial growth and meaningful advancement.
“This mindset has significantly contributed to the major challenges facing us. Unlike other regions that thrive due to robust internal support, the South East remains hindered by backwardness and marginalization, primarily because its people fail to empower their own.”
Apostle Okorie disclosed that CAIM is out to change the narrative in the South East, calling on Ndigbo to assist their indigenous pastors, as well as, desist from sowing seed of discord among men of God and churches in the region.
In his message, Pst Marius Arugwe of the Christian Pentecostal Mission(CPM), said one of the problems of the South East,is the inability to grab political power, adding that if the region would come together to fight for it, then things would change.
According to the cleric,the effects of the Civil War on the South East region, is quite enormous, translating on every facet of the regional economy, adding that if Ndigbo can humble themselves in prayer, God will heal their land and also their authority would be regained.
“If an Igbo man must rise, he must seek for genuine power which is gotten from God. No revolution comes without power. When you get power from God,then you will govern your nation,state, community and family effectively”.
In an interview, the General Overseer of Jesus Pentecostal Miracle Church, Bishop Stephen Otuonye, said the summit was apt, as it would help change the mindset of the people.
The Cleric said Ndigbo should cultivate the habit of helping their own, investing in each other and raising younger ones for the ministry,to create a formidable region.
Also, Dr Emmanuel Ogbonna, of the famous Voice of the Cross gospel band, expressed excitement about the summit which he said would help the region experience significant progress and development.
He added that except Igbo Ministers humble themselves in prayer, God can never heal their land.
Apostle Lazarus Chukwuoma, a member of Voice of the Cross, highlighted the importance of unity among Igbo ministers, spanning both preaching and singing ministries, in driving kingdom progress. He commended CAIM leaders for addressing the lingering crisis within Voice of the Cross, and confidently predicted that the group would rebound with renewed strength and empowerment.
During an interaction with CAIM’s Abia State Coordinator and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the World Igbo Prayer Summit 2024, Barr Martin’s Okereafor, he emphasized that the summit offered a unique opportunity to pray for the harmony, advancement, and growth of the Igbo nation, as well as the prosperity of the land.
According to Okereafor, the yearly summit serves as a convergence point for Igbo ministers nationwide, aimed at fostering a collective drive towards promoting peace and unity in the land.
He added that the program would be of immense benefit to the Abia State chapter of CAIM, to spread and gain more momentum.
According to him,to drive the Igbo nation forward, there must be unity of purpose, admonishing Igbo ministers to cultivate the habit of helping each other, instilling discipline, integrity and character, shunning bickering and envy in the kingdom race.
