By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As the Archbishop of Calabar Diocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, marks his 75th birthday, the Akwa Ibom governor has lauded him for inspiring good governance in the State.
Pastor Umo Eno, who bared his mind on Tuesday, during Ekuwem’s 75th birthday celebration and thanksgiving mass which took place at Sacred Heart Parish, Aka Offot, Uyo, extolled his virtues and his ability to speak the truth regarding leadership and also inspiring in leaders a desire towards a more Christ-like and people-centric governance style.
Eno noted that Archbishop Ekuwem has inspired people to serve God better, embrace the kingdom of God, while also impacting positively on the society.
He said Akwa Ibom has been blessed by the force of the Archbishop’s moral suasion and the unkindly ability to speak the truth to power and inspire in leaders a more Christ and people centric governance.
According to him, because of the inspirational work of Ekuwem, currently done in Christian ecumenism, many have come to embrace the Kingdom of God, strongholds have been broken and gates of salvation flung open to all who seek redemption through Christ.
Eno said the State has been honoured by the cleric’s kind acceptance to head the State Christian Leadership Advisory Council, an inter-denominational group of male and female clerics who have gladly agreed to join his administration in putting the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at the centre.
“We have been blessed by the force of your moral suasion and the uncanny ability to speak truth to power and, inspire in leaders a more Christ and people-centric governance.
“We, at the State level, have been honoured by your kind acceptance to head our State Christian Leadership Advisory Council, an inter-denominational group of our fathers and mothers in faith, who have gladly agreed to join us in putting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at the centre of our administration,” he said.
Eno, who expressed delight to be part of the celebration, described the celebrator as a man of honour, integrity, wisdom and one that is always very focused on whatever he does, saying, “on behalf of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I join the Christian faithful, especially the Catholic Church to wish you a happy 75th birthday”.
The governor joined Archbishop Ekuwem at the reception, which featured a book presentation, during which he prayed for a robust health, strength, as well as continued sound and fecund mind for the celebrator so that the people may continue to benefit and drink from the fountain of his spiritual knowledge.
A former governor of the State, Obong Victor Attah, in his goodwill message at the event, appreciated Archbishop Ekuwem for his Christ-centric disposition which qualifies him as a leading light of the Church.
The Bishop of Uyo Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop John Ebebe Ayah, lauded the exemplary Christian life of Archbishop Ekuwem, and appreciated the governor for honouring the celebrator with his presence, describing Eno as a good friend of the Catholic Church.
Ayah also lauded the governor for pursuing the ministry of reconciliation with vigour and maintaining peace across the State.
In his sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ekong charged Christians to strive at doing things that enhance life and good health, exercise mental restraint and desist from uttering or doing things that could be injurious to others, describing Ekuwem as a great teacher who he noted, has positively impacted the State, Nigeria and humanity at large.
At the reception, a former deputy governor of the State, Mr Patrick Ekpotu, an engineer, who chaired the occasion, saw the celebrator as a man of integrity and honour worthy of celebration.
Highpoint of the celebration was the cutting of the 75th birthday cake by the celebrator, joined by others.
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