Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
The Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Dr Willie Obiano, has advocated for the unity of Christians, saying that a dignified unity was necessary among Nigerian Christians to enable them come out victoriously from the current oppression in the country.
Gov Obiano, who spoke at the 2018 Annual Priestly Ordination for the Catholic Diocese of Awka, at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State, recently, said Christian unity was paramount.
The governor congratulated the 13 newly ordained priests for successfully making it to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ urged them to work in the Lord’s vineyard with fear of God.
He enjoined the priests to be good and true shepherds to the people of God entrusted unto their care as well as serve the Church diligently and selflessly, and be rest assured that God would take good care of all their needs and those of their families.
In his remarks, the ordaining prelate and Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, gave his support to the governor’s call for Christian unity.
The bishop commended Gov Obiano for the ban of okada in Anambra State which he said put an end to lawlessness and restored sanity in the state, saying that in the past many accidents were caused by reckless okada riders. This was even as he extoled the governor for the alternative source of livelihood arrangement being made for the okada riders.
He noted that the okada ban was an added advantage for the citizenry, as it created opportunity for the individuals to embrace trekking which was a very good form of exercise. Bishop Ezeokafor observed that regular exercise was very important for healthy living of persons of 40 years of age and above.
The Catholic prelate called on the governor to ensure his administration address urgently the case of traders who blocked the major streets and roads with their market wares, saying that such actions were possible causes of road accidents. Bishop Ezeokafor cited Oye Olisa in Umunachi Dunukofia L.G.A as one of the markets in Anambra State were the said traders obstructed the major roads with their wares.
The governor had his Principal Secretary, Hon. Willy Nwokoye; the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike; the Member Representing Njikoka II Constituency, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Sir Pete Ibida (KSJI); the member representing Aguata I Constituency, Hon. Dr. Ikechukwu Umenwa (KSJI); the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Re-Orientation, Dr Mitchele Onugbolu, among others in his entourage.