The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has declared Anambra the safest state in Nigeria.
The Governor stated this yesterday at the Golden Jubilee of Episcopal Consecration of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze at the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
Welcoming visitors from all parts of the world and Nigeria who joined the congregation at the Holy Mass , Governor Obiano declared, ” I welcome you to enjoy the peace and tranquility we have in our state. As you celebrate with His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze, I want you all to know that Anambra is the safest state in Nigeria and by the grace of God will continue to be so in the years ahead.”
The Governor who paid glowing tributes to Francis Cardinal Arinze on the fifty years of Episcopal consecration, stated: “I am very happy to be at this ceremony to honour one of our own. His Eminence is first in many areas, he is one of the few who became Bishop after just seven years after his ordination as Priest, he is now over thirty years as a Cardinal and was almost a Pope. I am also happy that Blessed Iwene Tansi is from Anambra state and also my Uncle. God has kept the Cardinal healthy in his vineyard, and we look forward to the day he will be celebrating the one hundred years of Episcopal ordination.”
In his tribute to the celebrant, the former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who embraced with Francis Cardinal Arinze, thanked God for the grace he gave him to shepherd the flock of the Catholic faithful and Christians over years.
As Gowon put it; “You are my brother in Christ and I pray that God will continue to bless and keep you.”
Earlier, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja commended the celebrant and observed,” I have no doubt that there is God’s invisible hand in His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze. Today’s celebration coincides with the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Africa and also a time when the largest number of Africans in Uganda would be canonized.”
On his part, President of Conference of Catholic Bishop of Nigeria, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, described Francis Cardinal Arinze as “A wonderful ecclesiastical personality.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Pix 1: His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze centre with Governor of Anambra, Chief Willie Obian, his wife Ebelechukwu, and Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon with Catholic Bishops in group photograph on Saturday during the Golden Jubilee Episcopal Celebration of Francis Cardinal Arinze at the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Pix 2: Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon with Governor of Anambra, Chief Willie Obiano his wife Ebelechukwu, during the Golden Jubilee Episcopal Celebration of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze at the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Pix 3a & 3b: His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze centre with Governor of Anambra, Chief Willie Obian, and his wife Ebelechukwu, on Saturday during the Golden Jubilee Episcopal Celebration of Francis Cardinal Arinze at the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Pix 4: Governor of Anambra, Chief Willie Obiano addressing the congregation after the Holy Mass to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Episcopal Celebration of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze at the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State.
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