BENIN CITY – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called on Catholic Bishops and other clergy to continue to pray for Nigerian leaders so that their decisions and actions would reflect the teachings of Christ and engender maximum benefits for all Nigerians.
Speaking as a special guest at the 10th Episcopal ordination anniversary celebration of the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Benin, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City on Friday, Governor Oshiomhole said, “Let me on behalf of myself, my family, the government and the good people of Edo State congratulate my lord on this occasion. Sir, I want to give thanks to God for sending you to us to bring us closer to Him. I can testify, as someone who has had the rare privilege of meeting, associating and having conversation with you on a variety of issues, and I am humbled by your uncommon humility, calmness and warmth.
“I think we all have every reason to give thanks to God for what He has used your grace to do in this State for our people, and even the support we have enjoyed from you in government. Just to say that we in Edo State are honoured to have the privilege of playing host to so many catholic bishops from around the country and several other clergy from various parts of the country. We pray to God almighty to continue to grant you good health, long life, more wisdom, renewed determination and vigour to continue to spread the gospel.
“Allow me to say, that we in government, that we need more of your prayers than you need of us. I wish to use this privilege of being here to appeal to catholic bishops to continue to pray for Nigeria as you have always done, and in particular ask God in His infinite mercy and powers to touch our hearts, as public officers who are entrusted with the resources of our great country, that we may always remember that the privileges we exercise, the powers we purport to posses, not that of our merit but that of the grace of our Lord, and in exercising those powers, may we do so in a way that reflects the teachings of Christ, so that Nigeria and Nigerians shall benefit from the decisions we take every minute, every hour, every day, every year. May God bless our country; may God bless you.”
In his remarks, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Kaigama said the occasion was an opportunity to rejoice with the celebrant among other reasons.
Also, the Papal Noncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasunja said the occasion was for thanksgiving and to pray for bishops and archbishops.
The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life including the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the Edo State chairman of APC, Barr. Anslem Ojezua.
John Cardinal Onaiyekan Archbishop of Abuja and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at the 10th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary celebration of Most Rev Augustine Akubeze at St Paul Catholic Church, Benin City, on Friday.
