March 20, 2024
The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, has urged President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to restore socio-economic life to the southeast.
Ugorji, who is the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, appealed the ordination of Most Rev. Thomas Obiatuegwu as Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu Diocese of the Catholic Church in Nigeria at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu, Imo state.
He argued that the continued detention of Kanu fuels insecurity in the southeast, saying people are still afraid to go about their daily businesses due to the activities of non-state actors.
According to him, billions of naira have been lost in the region due to the Monday sit-at-home order, which has serious effects on the residents, particularly the poor.
Ugorji commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for stepping up the fight against insecurity in Imo State and thanked him for ensuring a safe and successful ordination.
He said: “We thank Gov Hope Uzodimma for stepping up security to guarantee the safety of citizens of Imo State
“I thank my brothers who took the risk from far and wide to attend today’s occasion despite the insecurity challenges across the country particularly in the southeast. Insecurity has become an issue in the Southeast.
“Unfortunately, the sit-at-home order has continued to paralyse economic and social lives in the Southeast.
“There has been repeated outcry in the Southeast, business operators have lost billions of naira because of sit-at-home orders. Many poor families are afraid to come out on Mondays.
“This is fueled by the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader. I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explore civil remedy to release Nnamdi Kanu for peace to return to the southeast.”
Governor Uzodimma felicitated Most Rev. Obiatuegwu on his ordination as Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu Diocese and urged the clergy and laity to allow the growth of the church to translate into moral and spiritual uplifting of the larger society.
Uzodimma, who congratulated Obiatuegwu on his elevation expressed confidence that he would discharge his duties accordingly.
He rejoiced with the diocese for its record growth of about 50 per cent in the last year and urged the clergy and laity to allow the growth to translate into moral and spiritual uplifting of the larger society.
“The church, apart from the family and the school, is the most influential agent of socialisation.
“I would therefore expect that the growth we are experiencing will translate to the spiritual uplifting of the larger society,” he said.
The substantive Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Augustin Ukwuoma, urged the laity to hold firm to the gift of the church and support the leadership of the diocese and the church. He thanked Gov. Uzodimma for his efforts in improving the security situation in the state, enabling a safe and successful ordination.
Obiatuegwu thanked the Bishops’ Conference for finding him worthy to be ordained and pledged his readiness to learn and serve. He thanked all clergy, comprising 40 bishops, as well as the laity and government officials, including Sen. Osita Izunaso (Imo West), who identified with him and pledged his commitment to his episcopal ministry.
Obiatuegwu was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop in January 2024 by the spiritual head of the Catholic Church worldwide, His Holiness, Pope Francis.
Until his appointment, Obiatuegwu, who hails from Uli, Ihiala council area of Anambra, was the parish priest of St Thomas Catholic Church, Umuahia, in Abia.
-agency report
