Obiano will Succeed as Governor – Anglican Bishop Ibezim Predicts

By Onyeka Ejinkonye

Three days to his swearing in as the fourth democratically elected Governor of Anambra State, the Bishop of the Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev Dr Alexander Ibezim has predicted that the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano will be hugely successful in his leadership of the state.

Delivering a pungent sermon at a Special Interdenominational Service held in Awka, Thursday, to kick-start a sequence of events in the build up to Obiano's inauguration, Bishop Ibezim prophesied that Chief Obiano's tenure as governor would be marked by remarkable success because he was chosen by God.

Said he; 'Obiano is a peculiar person. He was chosen by God. He is not a politician. But I prophesy that he will succeed as a governor!'

Comparing Obiano's story with the story of Haggai in the Bible, the Anglican Bishop who explained that Haggai was a minor prophet whom God used to change the glory of Israel further quoted the Scripture to assure Obiano; 'The glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former. Your administration will be greater than anything Anambra has witnessed since inception. Your achievements, exploits, and glory shall be greater than others before you,' he proclaimed.

Bishop Ibezim however marshalled out a four-point agenda for the Governor-elect as a pre-condition for success. According to him, if the in-coming governor truly wanted to succeed in office, he must first ask God for wisdom to lead, pointing out that 'without wisdom, you cannot lead a state as complex as Anambra.'

The Anglican Bishop also advised that the Governor-elect must always have the fear of God and a Godly Foundation and must be imbued with the virtues of equity and justice in order to have a successful tenure.

The fourth agenda the Anglican prelate set for the Governor-elect is that he must strive to build a stronger Anambra State while placing special emphasis on the need to transform Awka into a fitting state capital. He also assured him of his prayers and the prayers of the church.

Responding to the sermon, the Governor-elect, Chief Obiano appealed to the congregation to pray for him and for Anambra State.

'I urge you to remember me in your daily prayers,' Chief Obiano stated, pointing out that he was extremely delighted to start his journey into the government house from the church.

The Governor-elect also thanked the church for the tremendous support he received from them during the last elections. Chief Obiano will be formally inaugurated as the fourth duly elected governor of Anambra State in an elaborate ceremony planned for Monday, March 17, in Awka.