Eyo Charles
Comrade Ndoma Akpet, chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Cross River State has described Brotherhood of the Cross and Star as a conspicuous brand, which has become accepted in most countries of the world.
He made the remark at the BCS world headquarters, No 34 Ambo Street Calabar Nigeria when he led a 20-man delegation of journalists to pay courtesy call on the King of kings and Lord of lords, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.
Comrade Akpet maintained that through perseverance, the Holy Father has successfully created this religious brand that has no equal anywhere in the world, and which can easily be recognised anywhere in the world with unique features.
According to him, the brand has today become influential, sought-after and was magneting increasing number of faithful all over the world.
Akpet who is a pastor in his local church said: "I do not care what opinion anyone has about the Brotherhood and her leadership, but it has to be so for her to become conspicuous and unique as a brand. Brotherhood organisation has worked hard and passed many trials to be something to reckon with today. There is no organisation quite like it."
He recalled that a week earlier he was in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, and heard how a set of young people were rendering sonorous, divine tunes in a taxi he was travelling in. He said he was engrossed. Although he said he could immediately trace who they were but he had to ask them, and to his suspicion, they said they were children of Father Olumba Obu.
"Brotherhood has made Cross River State proud going by her ability to continually pull tens of thousands of her members to converge in the city frequently for religious service.
"To me, this is religious tourism. And I want to encourage Brotherhood to continue to champion this brand of tourism.
"Cross River was supposed to be tourism destination, according to the state government. But I do not know how much they have so far succeeded compare with India and Brazil which are seen to be leading in medical and carnival tourism respectively. My own description of tourism is what Brotherhood is doing", Akpet said.
Also commending the Father for appointing and consecrating nearly 220 new bishops at one go, chairman of the state Correspondents' Chapel, an arm of NUJ, Mazi Judex Okoro of the SUN newspapers, said Father Olumba Olumba Obu has lived an exemplary lifestyle which is worthy of emulation.
He explained that they came to introduce the newly elected officials of the chapel and to solicit for Father's usual blessing to enable them succeed during their tenure.
He said that journalists in the state have always been on the side of the Father and will continue to be because the Father is embodiment of peace and love, and has always been their dependable Supporter, Friend and Patron of note.
He lamented however that when the Father instituted Investigative Award for Journalists many years ago in the state none of them met the required standard, promising that if such was revived and with the calibre of well trained and experienced reporters now, they would not miss the award.
He regreted that there was a slight disconnect between them and the Brotherhood for a period which led to their inability to regularly have one-on-one meeting with the Holy Father, praying that such unique opportunity should resurface.
"We are very ready to cooperate and continue to splash news features in our print and electronic media about Brotherhood and the Father", he assured, and appealed for Father's continued support.
Spokesman of BCS, his lordship Bishop Princely Ibeabuchi who received the large delegation of Cross River journalists on Father's behalf, apologised that due to very tight schedules of the Holy Father, especially as preparations for Eton Day/Consecration of new Bishops had become intense, He was therefore present at the meeting spiritually to bless them.
He used the opportunity to formally invite them all to the event, which he said bishops and other brethren were already arriving from around the world.
He said the Father was very happy to have them visit Him and encouraged them to continue to work sincerely and with absolute commitment to promote the works of truth such that inundate the BCS.
He said the Father will ever extend His large-heartedness and grace to them any time not only as their Patron but as the Sole Spiritual Head of the Universe.
The spokesman who presented a cheque of N300,000 to the Correspondents' Chapel for their welfare and equipping their new office, encouraged them to realise that they constitute a powerful bloc which position they should use to galvanize popular opinion necessary for the national parliament to make useful laws to benefit them and larger society.
In a press statement he later distributed to them, Father condemned same-sex marriage which was being championed by America.
He cautioned political leaders to stop to dip their hands into public treasuries and use same to better the lives of the citizenry.
Father urged all to live in peace, and the authorities to regularly resolve cases of civil disobedience using peaceful means.
He made the remark at the BCS world headquarters, No 34 Ambo Street Calabar Nigeria when he led a 20-man delegation of journalists to pay courtesy call on the King of kings and Lord of lords, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.
Comrade Akpet maintained that through perseverance, the Holy Father has successfully created this religious brand that has no equal anywhere in the world, and which can easily be recognised anywhere in the world with unique features.
According to him, the brand has today become influential, sought-after and was magneting increasing number of faithful all over the world.
Akpet who is a pastor in his local church said: "I do not care what opinion anyone has about the Brotherhood and her leadership, but it has to be so for her to become conspicuous and unique as a brand. Brotherhood organisation has worked hard and passed many trials to be something to reckon with today. There is no organisation quite like it."
He recalled that a week earlier he was in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, and heard how a set of young people were rendering sonorous, divine tunes in a taxi he was travelling in. He said he was engrossed. Although he said he could immediately trace who they were but he had to ask them, and to his suspicion, they said they were children of Father Olumba Obu.
"Brotherhood has made Cross River State proud going by her ability to continually pull tens of thousands of her members to converge in the city frequently for religious service.
"To me, this is religious tourism. And I want to encourage Brotherhood to continue to champion this brand of tourism.
"Cross River was supposed to be tourism destination, according to the state government. But I do not know how much they have so far succeeded compare with India and Brazil which are seen to be leading in medical and carnival tourism respectively. My own description of tourism is what Brotherhood is doing", Akpet said.
Also commending the Father for appointing and consecrating nearly 220 new bishops at one go, chairman of the state Correspondents' Chapel, an arm of NUJ, Mazi Judex Okoro of the SUN newspapers, said Father Olumba Olumba Obu has lived an exemplary lifestyle which is worthy of emulation.
He explained that they came to introduce the newly elected officials of the chapel and to solicit for Father's usual blessing to enable them succeed during their tenure.
He said that journalists in the state have always been on the side of the Father and will continue to be because the Father is embodiment of peace and love, and has always been their dependable Supporter, Friend and Patron of note.
He lamented however that when the Father instituted Investigative Award for Journalists many years ago in the state none of them met the required standard, promising that if such was revived and with the calibre of well trained and experienced reporters now, they would not miss the award.
He regreted that there was a slight disconnect between them and the Brotherhood for a period which led to their inability to regularly have one-on-one meeting with the Holy Father, praying that such unique opportunity should resurface.
"We are very ready to cooperate and continue to splash news features in our print and electronic media about Brotherhood and the Father", he assured, and appealed for Father's continued support.
Spokesman of BCS, his lordship Bishop Princely Ibeabuchi who received the large delegation of Cross River journalists on Father's behalf, apologised that due to very tight schedules of the Holy Father, especially as preparations for Eton Day/Consecration of new Bishops had become intense, He was therefore present at the meeting spiritually to bless them.
He used the opportunity to formally invite them all to the event, which he said bishops and other brethren were already arriving from around the world.
He said the Father was very happy to have them visit Him and encouraged them to continue to work sincerely and with absolute commitment to promote the works of truth such that inundate the BCS.
He said the Father will ever extend His large-heartedness and grace to them any time not only as their Patron but as the Sole Spiritual Head of the Universe.
The spokesman who presented a cheque of N300,000 to the Correspondents' Chapel for their welfare and equipping their new office, encouraged them to realise that they constitute a powerful bloc which position they should use to galvanize popular opinion necessary for the national parliament to make useful laws to benefit them and larger society.
In a press statement he later distributed to them, Father condemned same-sex marriage which was being championed by America.
He cautioned political leaders to stop to dip their hands into public treasuries and use same to better the lives of the citizenry.
Father urged all to live in peace, and the authorities to regularly resolve cases of civil disobedience using peaceful means.
