The chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, as well as former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and former governors of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, Chief Peter Obi and Dame Virgy Etiaba, joined thousands of eminent and well-meaning Nigerians to felicitate with the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke, who marked his 70th birthday on Saturday, January 20
Ubah, who stormed Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi, venue of the ceremony, in the company of notable politicians, friends and business associates said that Bishop Hilary Okeke is a true man of God, whose steadfastness and hard work have won souls for Christ and have led to the growth and expansion of the Church under his care.
“Nnewi Diocese started under Bishop Hilary Okeke, and has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. Under Bishop Okeke, Nnewi Diocese has witnessed tremendous growth in morality, infrastructure, and all round development.
“He is a man of great humour, discipline and generosity. As his adopted name applies ‘Nna Ora’, he is truly a father to the diocese, the entire faithful, big and small, young and old, rich and average. He is a shepherd extraordinary”, he said.
Assuring of his continued support for the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi as well as the bishop’s pastoral works, Ubah prayed that God would continue to give the bishop good health to enable him continue the great work he is doing in the Lord’s vineyard.
Also speaking, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, said that Bishop Hilary Okeke is a good shepherd who takes good care of all his flocks. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Solomon Chukwulobelu, Obiano said that the bishop’s continued fatherly advice has been a great morale booster to his government.
Former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, as well as former governors of Anamnra State, Chris Ngige, Peter Obi, Dame Virgy Etiaba and other notable Nigerians, who graced the occasion also hailed the good qualities in the life of Bishop Hilary Okeke, which, according to them, made the bishop outstanding in his pastoral assignment.
Chief Victor Umeh called him a rare gem, whose examples many people would like to copy. Chief Peter Obi described him as father of the fathers, who evangelizes with humour; while Dr. Chris Ngige, now the Federal Minister of Labour and Employment, described him as a good shepherd.
Earlier in his homily during the concelebrated Holy Mass attended by 32 bishops and over 600 priests, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, eulogized the Episcopal integrity and pastoral zeal of Bishop Okeke.
“Bishop Okeke of Nnewi Diocese is a priest of exemplary disposition. Apart from his roles in the growth of the Catholic Church in Nnewi and the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Bishop Okeke has also contributed immensely to the advancement of the course of the Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
“Okeke is 70 years old, but he looks 55. As his name is Hilary, he is always hilarious; no wonder he looks younger all the time. As he is tall, so are his strides and achievements. May God continue to guide him through his pastoral assignments”, he said.
He also commended the people of Nnewi for their support for the pastoral works of Bishop Hilary Okeke, stating that the people’s supports have continued to help the local ordinary in his pastoral works.
– Authority
