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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr Callistus Onaga, has expressed gratitude to God for the cooperation that exists between the Church and the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State, describing it as “wonderful”.
Bishop Onaga who spoke at this year’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, on Sunday, said that the Catholic Diocese of Enugu has enjoyed a harmonious relationship with Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration.
The Bishop prayed for “a very wonderful conclusion of this very administration,.” He implored God to grant Governor Ugwuanyi and his team the spirit of fortitude to uphold to the end.
Appreciating the positive impact of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration since its inception in spite of the numerous challenges, Bishop Onaga said: “We know they are moving higher; Lord let them go higher. We know they are spending sleepless nights because of the situation; Lord if you do not keep watch over the city, in vain do the watchmen keep vigil. Keep watch with them. Heal the wounds that are there and above all, bless them for the good works they have done these years of service.
In his sermon which centred on Christ Jesus as a kingdom that has no end, and the need for mankind to live a worthy life and accept God’s kingdom in their hearts to reign with Him forever, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr Ernest Obodo, used the occasion to laud Governor Ugwuanyi for his commitment and dedication to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol in the diocese since he assumed office in 2015.
He said that governor Ugwuanyi has participated constantly in the annual event and has exhibited a high sense of leadership qualities as a peaceful, visionary and people-oriented leader in the discharge of his responsibilities.
“Your Excellency, we thank you; you are a man of peace and a man who finds himself in his people. You go wherever your people are; when they are rejoicing you rejoice with them; when they are sorrowing, you sorrow with them,” Obodo said.
In his remarks, the Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Agubuchie, said that governor Ugwuanyi has two unique qualities being able to combine civil life with his Catholic faith and his “capacity to live out; live by the principle of subsidiarity that says what individuals can accomplish by their own initiative and effort should not be taken away from them by a higher authority.”
The priest thanked the governor for his untiring efforts to make Enugu state better against all odds as well as his presence at the religious event, stressing that the diocese cherishes them.
“Your Excellency, in many areas, some tasks are beyond the Church and immediately, you will always come in to intervene, that is the principle of subsidiarity and you are living by it. Thank you very much and may God continue to bless you,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor of the State, Hon. (Mrs) Cecilia Ezeilo; the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya; the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State Chapter, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh; the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu; former Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu; wife of the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Chief Evarest Nnaji (Odengene), among others
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