Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, yesterday celebrated Mass with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State at the Government House Chapel alongside the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ozoude and other priests who were concelebrating, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Edward Uchenna Ubosi, his wife, Princess Lady Akunna, the Deputy Governor-elect, Ifeanyi Ossai, state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Augustine Nnamani, among others.
During the celebration of the Eucharist, Bishop Onah, on behalf of the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga, performed the installation of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel, stating that “I am glad that it is happening before Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi leaves office.”
Bishop Onah appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for constructing the first chapel in the Government House, Enugu and beseeched God to bless him for all his good deeds in office, stressing the governor’s noble footprints will remain indelible.
The bishop recalled that the bishops in Nigeria under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on August 24, 2021 were at the Enugu Government House Chapel, constructed by Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration, to bless and formally open it for use, saying: “And then, today (yesterday) on the Good Shepherd Sunday, the chaplaincy acquired a new status with the permanent presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Your Excellency, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, before we begin this Mass, I will like to express my gratitude to His Excellency, Most Rev. Callistus Chukwuma Onaga who gave me permission not only to celebrate this Eucharist but to celebrate it also in his name and perform the rites that he ordinarily should be the person to perform, and that is the installation of the Blessed Sacrament in this chapel. I thank him for the honour, and for the communion of brotherhood. And also today (yesterday) is Good Shepherd Sunday. We pray for shepherds and all the leaders in the church and in the society,” he said.
In his vote of thanks after the celebration of the Eucharist, the Government House Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Ozoude, on behalf of Governor Ugwuanyi, thanked Bishop Onah for coming to perform the sacred function in the chapel, stating that the bishop’s visit was a blessing to the governor, the people in the Government House and the entire state.
The cleric stressed Governor Ugwuanyi’s faith and commitment to the things of God saying: “To His Excellency, our dear Governor, I cannot thank you enough. We have known ourselves for a long time and you have always shown a deep love and a deep faith in the things of God.
“When you came in, you gave us a slogan “Enugu State is in the hands of God” and you have kept on reminding God that Enugu State is in Your hands.
“You didn’t just give a slogan; you have shown it in this beautiful chapel. All the projects you did in Enugu State these past years, this Government House Chapel stands out as the top most and the best of all.
“You have also shown that you believe so much in the Eucharist and that was why you wanted the Blessed Sacrament installed here before you are done with your job. It is a sign of faith, it is a sign of love for God and love for the church.
“God has taken His position. The Government House is now fully in the hands of God. Thank you Your Excellency. May this faith you have always shown to God bring you more grace, more blessings from God, through Christ our Lord.”
Dignitaries at the Mass include the Senator-elect for Enugu West Senatorial District, Engr. Osita Ngwu (RG); the Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tobi Okechukwu; the Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji; Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu and other members of the House; former Member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi; former State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Engr. Vita Abba and his wife, Engr. Dr. Obiageli Abba who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation (PDI).
Others were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, and other members of the State Executive Council (EXCO); former Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor; Council Chairmen; House of Assembly Members-elect, Dr. Tony Okam; etc.