By Ken Asinobi
If the testimony of the Rt. Rev. (Dr) Blessing Enyindah regarding the Christian life of the late Capt. Elechi Amadi is anything to go by, then the deceased literary giant was certainly not an atheist as has been the believe in some quarters.
The Bishop of Ikwerre Anglican Diocese of the Anglican Communion had in the course of delivering a sermon at the funeral service for the departed statesman at his home town, Aluu on Saturday, observed that nothing was said about the late Amadi's Christianity in his biography even as all condolence messages read at the funeral were also silent on his religious averment.
He said although the circumstances were suggestive of atheism, the late writer, nevertheless attended church and also believed in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The clergyman who ministered on the topic 'What will it benefit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?' also expressed surprise that the Christian life of the late statesman was not mentioned in both his biography and condolence messages.
But the Anglican Bishop noted that the late novelist may have preempted such public perception and decided to clear the air in his book, 'Sunset in Biafra'.
According to Bishop Enyindah, “As if Elechi Amadi knew this would happen, he wrote the following lines in Sunset in Biafra “…And then there was Capt. Lazarus Okeke, the Army Chaplain who found me useful in the church choir because I play the church organ. But although he found me useful in the choir, he also found me lacking in most aspect of church dogma”.
The Bishop stated that the late literary icon undoubtedly belonged to the church, if he did play the organ to the delight of everyone including the Chaplain, adding that the late novelist was the Chairman of the Ikwerre Language Committee that translated the Diocesan Anthem to Ikwerre language in 2009, an anthem which was rendered at the funeral to the delight of the audience.
Bishop Enyindah, in his sermon lauded the exemplary lifestyle of the late Amadi whom he said shunned the twin evil of selfishness and greed.
He said the reason many Nigerians were believed to be corrupt was what he called the penchant to grab more. In his words, “We are in a country where the spirit of greed is ruling everybody. Those privileged to be in authority have abused the authority and many persons are suffering as a result of this.
“Everyone is involved. Even pastors are now competing with billionaires and buying properties abroad. These acquisions have become gods to some people and people are no longer thinking of eternity”.
The Bishop explained that the late Elechi Amadi lived a life that best answered the question he posed in his message. According to him, “Capt. Elechi Amadi lived a simple, selfless life. He served the nation as a soldier and the State in many capacities including Permanent Secretary, Commissioner and Chairman of Boards respectively”, adding “These are positions he could have made fortunes but he shunned flamboyant life to live a humble and approachable life”.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who attended the funeral in his speech said the Ikwerre ethnic nationality were proud to produce a literary giant like the late Elechi Amadi and urged his children emulate him by living at peace with one another.
The Governor who announced the renaming of the Port Harcourt Polytechnics after Elechi Amadi also added that Rivers State Government was facilitating the completion of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Port Harcourt which has also been named after the late iconic writer.
The event was graced by personalities from all walks of life including the legendary novelist Professor J.P. Clark, former Rivers Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, traditional rulers, senior government officials with scintillating choir rendition by the Real Brass Band of Akwa Ibom State.
If the testimony of the Rt. Rev. (Dr) Blessing Enyindah regarding the Christian life of the late Capt. Elechi Amadi is anything to go by, then the deceased literary giant was certainly not an atheist as has been the believe in some quarters.
The Bishop of Ikwerre Anglican Diocese of the Anglican Communion had in the course of delivering a sermon at the funeral service for the departed statesman at his home town, Aluu on Saturday, observed that nothing was said about the late Amadi's Christianity in his biography even as all condolence messages read at the funeral were also silent on his religious averment.
He said although the circumstances were suggestive of atheism, the late writer, nevertheless attended church and also believed in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The clergyman who ministered on the topic 'What will it benefit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?' also expressed surprise that the Christian life of the late statesman was not mentioned in both his biography and condolence messages.
But the Anglican Bishop noted that the late novelist may have preempted such public perception and decided to clear the air in his book, 'Sunset in Biafra'.
According to Bishop Enyindah, “As if Elechi Amadi knew this would happen, he wrote the following lines in Sunset in Biafra “…And then there was Capt. Lazarus Okeke, the Army Chaplain who found me useful in the church choir because I play the church organ. But although he found me useful in the choir, he also found me lacking in most aspect of church dogma”.
The Bishop stated that the late literary icon undoubtedly belonged to the church, if he did play the organ to the delight of everyone including the Chaplain, adding that the late novelist was the Chairman of the Ikwerre Language Committee that translated the Diocesan Anthem to Ikwerre language in 2009, an anthem which was rendered at the funeral to the delight of the audience.
Bishop Enyindah, in his sermon lauded the exemplary lifestyle of the late Amadi whom he said shunned the twin evil of selfishness and greed.
He said the reason many Nigerians were believed to be corrupt was what he called the penchant to grab more. In his words, “We are in a country where the spirit of greed is ruling everybody. Those privileged to be in authority have abused the authority and many persons are suffering as a result of this.
“Everyone is involved. Even pastors are now competing with billionaires and buying properties abroad. These acquisions have become gods to some people and people are no longer thinking of eternity”.
The Bishop explained that the late Elechi Amadi lived a life that best answered the question he posed in his message. According to him, “Capt. Elechi Amadi lived a simple, selfless life. He served the nation as a soldier and the State in many capacities including Permanent Secretary, Commissioner and Chairman of Boards respectively”, adding “These are positions he could have made fortunes but he shunned flamboyant life to live a humble and approachable life”.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who attended the funeral in his speech said the Ikwerre ethnic nationality were proud to produce a literary giant like the late Elechi Amadi and urged his children emulate him by living at peace with one another.
The Governor who announced the renaming of the Port Harcourt Polytechnics after Elechi Amadi also added that Rivers State Government was facilitating the completion of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Port Harcourt which has also been named after the late iconic writer.
The event was graced by personalities from all walks of life including the legendary novelist Professor J.P. Clark, former Rivers Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, traditional rulers, senior government officials with scintillating choir rendition by the Real Brass Band of Akwa Ibom State.
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