Soludo Commends Bishop Ezeokafor For Steadfastness In Moulding Future Leaders
As 297 Students Received Confirmation
His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has commended the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor for his steadfastness in moulding future leaders and promotion of ecumenism in the church.
Governor Soludo who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Ernest Ezeajughi made the commendation Saturday May 12, 2024, at Federal Government College, Nise, Awka North Local Government Area during Pastoral Visit and Fundraising for the construction of Students Chapel in the school.
(L-(L-R): Chaplain of Federal Government College, Nise Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Jude Ozumba and other Rev Fathers, Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Principal of Federal Goverent College Nise, Dr. Mrs. Ijeoma Ekumankama, Education Secretary, Awka Diocese Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo and Chairman of the even Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe) during the Bishop's Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College, Nise recently.R): Chaplain of Federal Government College, Nise Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Jude Ozumba and other Rev Fathers, Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Principal of Federal Goverent College Nise, Dr. Mrs. Ijeoma Ekumankama, Education Secretary, Awka Diocese Rev Fr Maximus Okonkwo and Chairman of the even Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe) during the Bishop's Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College, Nise recently.
The Governor said that the special relationship between the church and the state is very strategic in the moulding leaders who are academically and morally sound, reiterating
that the State Government's support for 459 Catholic schools to the tune of N918,000 is a typical example.
According to the Governor, Anambra State's commitment to training of youths is evident in its free education policy up to junior secondary level as well as in the training and retraining of teachers to ensure continuous excellence in the state school system. Continuing the Governor called for the emulation of the philanthropy of the sponsor of the Chaplaincy building project, Mr Ikechukwu Okeke which is in tandem with his government's Public, Private Community Partnership (PPCP) which encourages community development projects in the state, assuring that all the collaborative efforts are foundations to building a liveable and prosperous homeland.
(L-R): Former Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Willie Obiano, and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe), and Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Hon Ernest Ezeajughi during Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College Nise, recently.
Concluding, the Chief of Staff conveyed message of support to the Chaplaincy from the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, the Sponsor of 297 students who recived the sacrament of confirmation.
(L-R): Former Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Willie Obiano, and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe) , and Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Hon Ernest Ezeajughi during Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College Nise, recently.
Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor said that God is the foundation of everything. He urged everyone to make use of the opportunity given to them by God. Touching on ecumenism, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that Christ prayed that all Christians may be one, insisting however that in spite of Christ's prayer the quest for human freedom has led to many divisions. But he remains hopeful that with ecumenism the envisaged unity will be achieved.
Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor flanked by Reverend Fathers,Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Principal of Federal Goverent College Nise, Dr. Mrs. Ijeoma Ekumankama, and Chairman of the event Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe) during the Bishop's Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College, Nise recently.
His Lordship stated that the Church trains us on the two wings of human salvation and fulfillment. He stressed that the reason why the Church is interested in schools is to ensure that students are trained academically and spiritually.
According to Bishop Ezeokafor, "In the training of the child, many hands are involved: the mother nurtures, the church builds the faith; the school trains in academics and then larger society continues."
(L-R): Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor and Chairman of the occasion Mr. Emeka Ozumba (Okutaoloibe) during the Bishop's Pastoral Visit to Federal Government College, Nise recently.
Speaking on the Holy Fathers' admonition on The World Communication Day: A change that involves everyone, Bishop Ezeokafor harped on dangers of dependence on communication gadgets, stressing that as good as they are, they can never replace man. Artificial Intelligence(AI) and other gadgets must not control man.
He thanked the Chaplain, Rev. Fr Jude Ozumba for organizing the Young Catholic Students (YCS) and making it possible for 297 students to recieve Sacrament of Confirmation.
Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor flanked by Chief of Staff to Mr. Governor, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi andsome of the students who received Sacrament of Confirmation during the Pastoral Visit at Federal Goverment College Nise recently.
The highlight of the Pastoral Visit was the Fundraising for construction of Chaplaincy projects like the Grotto and toilet facilities in support of the ongoing Chapel project by Mr Ikechukwu Okeke, a 2013 alumnus of Federal Government College Nise. The event was presided over by former Deputy Chief Press Secretary in the government of Chief Willie Obiano Mr. Emeka Ozumba, (Okutaoloibe). In attendance were representatives of Hon Dozie Nwankwo, (Onyendozi), Hon Martin Dike, (Akwudoludike), as well as representative of Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Okafor.
The Chaplain of Catholic Youths , Rev. Fr. Jude Ozumba thanked God for a successful event, and Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor for coming on the Pastoral Visit and spending the whole day with the students and guests to ensure the success of the event.