Catholic Bishop laments over humanitarian crises in Ukraine, urges Russia to ceasefire

Worried by the ongoing war in Ukraine orchestrated by the Russian Federation, the Catholic Bishop of Uyo, His Lordship, Most Reverend John Ebebe Ayah, has called for an immediate ceasefire by Russia, lamenting the ripple effect of humanitarian crises across the world.

It was at a well-attended ceremony, which took place at the Primary School, Ikot Ukop, Okop Ndua Erong in Ibesikpo Asutan Council Area of Akwa Ibom State organized by the Uyo Dioceses of the Catholic Church in honour of the retiring ExxonMobil chief, Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, after 30 years in service.

Led by Bishop Ayah, including Monsignors and Reverend fathers from different Parishes, the senior clergy, who solicited for prayers for the victims of the war, stressed the need for the gladiators to toe the line of peace.

Bishop Ayah, who presided over the event, stressed the need for love, peace and unity as essential ingredients for global stability.

He noted that the world would be a better place when people relate with others with good hearts and called for an end to all ongoing wars in various conflicts zones in parts of Nigeria and the rest of the world.

He described the Obong Idemeko, as “a great achiever who had navigated through his career in Exxon Mobil without blemish”.

Ayah, who described the celebrant as a good Christian, who has supported the Church and humanity, urged him to continue his philanthropic gesture towards humanity, the church and the state as his reward will come from God.

Speaking at the thanksgiving service, Obong Idemeko, said that the good Lord has been very faithful and good to his family all through his life’s journey.

According to him, “I have served 30 years plus in Exxon Mobil, God provided enough for me to take care of my family and several others and further impacts positively on my community from same source of income.”

He recalled that several people whom he started the journey with at the oil conglomerate has departed for eternity and prayed for the repose of their souls.

“So many of my colleagues who started the job with me the same day did not live to see their prime and retirement but here I am today back to my people in good health, very strong and ever ready to take up more challenges in life.

“Look around me, my wife is here and we had four children without any complication. Today three of them are already graduates with one still in the University; we thank God for his favors.

“I wish my late father and mother are here, my father died when I was only seven years old and my mother took care of me all through but died in 2010, I wish my parents were still here to see what the lord has done for me and thank God with me today”, he added.

For the support for him and his family, he was full of praises to the Church and pledged to continue to work for God and humanity through his modest contributions to see the growth of the Church.

“God has been faithful and good to us. We have embarked on several journeys across the world in aeroplanes spending hours and days on-air with fear of crashing on land or waters but here we are today safe and sound, we give God all the glory”, he stressed.