Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State’s commitment to supporting and identifying with all churches in the state has been described as an exceptional feat worthy of emulation.
The Governor was also commended for entrenching peace and good governance, as well as providing quality leadership for the people of Enugu State.
The commendations were made by the leadership of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) when they paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday.
The visit was to formally inform and invite the governor to the upcoming 31st General Assembly of CCN and the body’s 93rd anniversary scheduled to hold in Enugu.
Speaking, the President of CCN, Most Rev. Dr. Benebo Fubara-Manuel, commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his sustained support for the churches, stressing that the governor has “always been a supporter of CCN member-churches.”
The CCN President disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi has made everybody and every church his own, saying: “I was able to talk to people of Enugu State to ask what church you (Ugwuanyi) belong to. Some said Catholic, and some said Anglican. You are just a member of all the churches and that makes us happy.”
Most Rev. Dr. Fubara-Manuel added: “We want to thank you for your good works in Enugu State; good governance to Enugu people, peace in Enugu land; your ability to carry everybody along – a factuality the bishops testified about you.”
The President of CCN pointed out that it was because of the peace and security in Enugu that the state is witnessing an influx of people and prayed that God exposes strange persons who have entered the state to cause disturbance and undermine the untiring efforts of Governor Ugwuanyi in securing life and property in the state.
He, therefore, lauded the governor for his unrelenting efforts to maintain peace and security in Enugu State as well as provision of massive infrastructural developments in urban and rural areas of the state such as the first flyover bridge to be constructed by the Enugu State government.
“We thank you (Ugwuanyi) for your infrastructural developments. We have seen the first flyover bridge in this state. We were told that it was constructed by your administration. Internal roads are being built and development projects executed in many parts of Enugu State, especially in the rural areas and Nsukka zone, and we are grateful for all the work you have done.
“We are here to also pray with you. To pray that God will strengthen you as you conclude your second term as governor.
“We are here to pray that your immense contributions will not be lost; that the administration and administrations that will take over from you will build on what you have done; would not do anything to devour and erase your footprints but will do everything to enhance the good works and would allow continuity in governance to take place for the good of Enugu people.
“We are here to pray with you that prosperity will continue in this land,” the CCN President said.
The CCN leadership, therefore, offered special prayers for Governor Ugwuanyi and beseeched God to continue to bless, guide, protect and prosper the governor, and for the peaceful and successful end of his tenure in 2023.
Other leaders of CCN in the delegation were the Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Most Rev. Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Oliver Abba, the Vice President of CCN, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Barr. Christopher N. Ede, among others.