By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
The Presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District Senator. Tony Nwoye, and Hon. Emeka Idu, representing Onitsha Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives, Thursday, felicitated with His Grace. Most Rev, Dr Valerian Okeke, the Archbishop of Onitsha on his 70th birthday.
Speaking at the occasion held at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha, the Archbishop urged Christians to be united, as God's intention and prayer, for all may be one.
"You can see that today, our brothers from other regions also gathered here today for this thanks-giving, here, we work and pray like a family, we are first of all, children of God, secondly, we are children of Anambra State.
“We want the best for our people, whatever church you are going, try to be your brother's keeper, don't kill your brother, try to bring love to yourselves, it is ecumenism of God that is working because God prayed that all may be one.
“Even if you are not from the same denomination, try to be in spirit of love, charity, don't cheat, oppress or marginalise your brothers".
In his speech, the presidential candidate of LP, Mr Peter Obi, prayed for the Archbishop saying that "All we are praying is that the Almighty, with the good work and revolution you started and to everyone of us working as a family under you, will continue to contribute our own quarter to ensure that the greatest of this, is that we must see the revolution of this university and must see all the success of all revolution started here.
" Nothing else to add to humanity except the work you are doing, and may the Almighty who is pleased to use you to continue to use you, for your last day, sure, you have already have a place on the last day", he stated.
Also reacting, Sen. Umeh said the Archbishop did wonderful work and prayed to give him more years ahead and good health to enable him complete his work on earth.
"We learnt a lot of things from him, and pray for his good, that of the body, mind and Soul," he prayed.
In an address presented by the Clergy, Religious and Laity of Onitsha Archdiocese to Most Rev Valerian Okeke, it stated, "Indeed, your toiling for the success of ur Archdiocese which towers higher than any other can be seen in the wrinkles and wears on your face.
"Just like Mother Theresa of Calcutta was sent to say that the wrinkles on her face and body were the sufferings of the poor which she bears on her body.
”Right from 20th October,1953 when you were birthed into this terrestrial habitat, you have precociously manifested signs of a dogged and focused young man, glitteringly obvious enough to qualify you as a prodigy.
" In archdiocese and beyond, your prodigious achievements, ranging from human capital development, hospital revamping, schools rehabilitation, increased access to sacrament through creation of more parishes, increased dialogue with the government.
"Others are unrivaled affinity with the poor, prisoners, the sick and needy, the downtrodden etc are indeed great treasures which you have bequeathed to this great Archdiocese in these years of your episcopacy.
"You are about to emancipate Onitsha Metropolis from the perception of rascality with the creation of a milestone achievement, the Shanaham university, for this, Onitsha and Anambra State including the forebears will be forever be grateful and indepted to you," they further stated.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion was Bishop Francis Adesina, Bishop of Ijebuode, Bishop Isaac Dugu, Bishop of Katsina Allah, Auxiliary Bishop of Calabar, Bishop Christopher Nasari, Bishop Peter Chukwu of Abakaliki, the homilist, Bishop Solomon Amatu, Bishop of Umuahia, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger, among others
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