Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has heaped praises on the Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Ernest Obodo, and the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University and Catholic clergy, Prof. Christian Anieke, for what he described as their selfless service and uncommon commitment to humanity.
Mbah gave the commendations during separate thanksgiving Masses held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Udi, and Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, to celebrate Bishop Obodo’s and Prof. Anieke’s silver jubilees as Catholic priests on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Speaking at Udi, the governor said: “My encounter with Bishop Obodo dates back to long before I became governor; we served together as members of the Governing Council of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu. Even then, he demonstrated remarkable insight and clarity on critical issues. But it was in our more personal bilateral meetings that his deep thinking and passion for service truly shone through.
“Our conversations on agriculture and economic empowerment helped shape aspects of our agricultural roadmap in Enugu State today. Bishop Obodo spoke not only about increasing production, but about value addition, agro-processing, and how to empower our youth, not just by giving them fish, but by teaching them how to fish.
His humility and unwavering commitment to lifting people out of poverty are disarming. Even at a time when attracting foreign direct investment is a challenge, Bishop Obodo is already doing it through his agricultural initiatives.”
Speaking about Prof. Anieke, Governor Mbah described the cleric as a “priest, academic and administrator par excellence” whose life and service embody the highest ideals of sacrifice, moral integrity, and nation-building through education.
He recalled his deep ties with Godfrey Okoye University, noting that it was the very ground where he first presented his manifesto to the people of Enugu ahead of the 2023 governorship election.
He urged the congregation to continue to support Prof. Anieke, praising him as a moral compass and visionary whose work aligned perfectly with the state’s poverty eradication agenda.
“He has demonstrated how education could be used as a tool to eradicate poverty, which is in line with our administration’s policy of ending poverty through education and wealth creation,” the governor said.
“The VC epitomises a strong moral compass and values, which are already shaping lives, nurturing communities, and working for the common good of the people.”
Delivering the homily at the Godfrey Okoye University, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, praised Anieke for his accomplishments both as a priest and educational visionary.
He called on fellow priests to live exemplary lives marked by service, learning, and spiritual devotion.
“A priest must be seen as a scholar, a gentleman, a saint, and must always serve the people,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigams lauded Governor Mbah’s administration for its developing strides and improved security of lives and property in the state.
“You have done well in security,” Kaigama told the governor.
“We commend you for the good work you have done in the state, particularly your huge investment in the security architecture of the state, which has reduced criminal activity,” he added.
The thanksgiving Mass, which also had the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Reverend Calistus Onaga, in attendance, also drew dignitaries from different spheres of life, including the academic, religious, and political spheres, all of whom paid glowing tributes to the celebrants.
