Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has congratulated the newly enthroned Catholic Bishop of Aba, Most Rev. Monsignor (Professor) Augustine Ndubueze Echema on his installation.
The Governor was speaking at Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC), Aba during the Episcopal Consecration and Installation of the new Catholic Bishop of Aba. He expressed hope that under the leadership of Most Rev. Monsignor (Professor) Augustine Ndubueze Echema, the Diocese would grow tremendously.
Governor Ikpeazu assured that he and his government would support the Bishop as well as do everything to make his leadership a success and memorable. He restated his commitment to working closely with the Church to make Abia State great.The Governor, who thanked the Catholic Church for her support to his administration also donated a brand new vehicle to the new Bishop to assist him in discharging his duties.
In his speech, the Representative of the Catholic Pope and Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Filipazi called on the church to embrace unity and love one another as well as be obedient to the new Bishop.
He urged the new Bishop to live in a manner worthy of the call with patience and make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Archbishop Antonio Filipazi said that the joy of having a new Bishop of the Diocese according to St. Paul of the scriptures should be a joy in the Lord and a joy in the truth, not a joy in iniquity.
He appreciated the Diocesan Administrator of Aba Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Innocent Ajuonu for holding forth for the past five years the Diocese stayed without a Bishop following the demise of former Bishop, V. V Ezeonyia.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Vice President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, on behalf of the President stated that the office of a Bishop is demanding and urged the new Bishop to draw inspiration from Jesus Christ and be a good shepherd to God’s people.He enjoined the church to cooperate and work together with him.
Bishop Ugorji thanked Governor Ikpeazu for welcoming them well and the utmost security enjoyed in the State as well as expressed gratitude to the Papal Nuncio for facilitating the appointment of Bishops in Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech, Most Rev. Monsignor (Professor) Augustine Ndubueze Echema, thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his support to him and the church.
He assured the church that there would not be factions and divisions among the brethren and urged them to rededicate themselves to the work of God.
The event attracted the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, Archbishop J.V Obinna and an array of Bishops among other dignitaries.
