The president, who spoke in Nsukka, Enugu State, at the Episcopal ordination and installation of Rt. Rev. Monsignor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, as the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, called for a collaborative effort between all sectors and spheres of the nation’s polity in order to move the country forward.
President Jonathan, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, called for support for Onah, insisting that the only way the current challenges facing the nation could be addressed was for Christians to go into prayers.
“I pray that the Almighty God will grant you wisdom to lead His flock in the right direction. I also pray that your tenure will bring prosperity and peace to the diocese,” he said.
The president also expressed optimism that with good Christians, peace would reign in the country.
Also speaking at the ordination service, which was attended by the Senate President, David Mark, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, the host governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, urged the new Bishop to employ his vast experiences from the Diaspora toward the development of the diocese.
Chime, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, said he had firm belief that the Bishop’s tenure would bring peace to the diocese “and his reign will strengthen and deepen the partnership between the diocese and the government of the state.”
The Catholic Bishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who led the ordination and installation of Onah was assisted by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke and Bishop Emeritus ofNsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Emmanuel Okobo.
Speaking at the occasion, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria (CCBN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, who spoke on behalf of the Catholic priests, said his (Onah) emergence “is not by accident but a fulfilment of divine providential order.”
He, however, urged the Bishop to use his experiences as the
Vice-Rector of the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, to develop the diocese, stressing that: “There is plenty of work in this diocese as well as in our conference.”
THISDAY checks revealed that the service attracted Catholic priests from across the South-east zone as well as members of the national and state assemblies from the five states of the zone and beyond.
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