Governor of Enugu state ,Dr. Peter Mbah has applauded the Catholic Church for the values inculcated in him as a child , saying his horizon is formed by the institution and the values deposited in him guide his decisions.
According to him, the role the church plays in molding young people has made the state to stand out in terms of moral standard and respect for the values of the society.
Pix: Gov Mbah (m), Papa Nuncio(R), Bishop Onaga(L) Bishop Obodo( 3rd right) and other priests
He disclosed that on Tuesday, when he received in audience the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria who doubles as Ambassador of the Vatican State, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office Enugu.
He said, “our horizon is formed by the institution of the Catholic Church and the value system which makes our state outstanding.
“Catholic forged my rugged values and that has helped me in life,” he said
He congratulated the Church for the remarkable achievements of the Bigard Memorial Seminary, describing them as milestones.
The Governor gave the Papal Nuncio an Irish, a brief history of Enugu, saying, Enugu was the capital of the former South South /South East region, the former capital of East Central State, the south east zone.and had been playing consequential roles in the economic, social and administrative history of Nigeria.
Pix: Gov Mbah(L,) Papal Nuncio Crotty(R)
Earlier, the Papal Nuncio,Archbishop Crotty told the Governor that he was in Enugu for the centenary celebration of the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.
He expressed delight over the impact the institution had made in the formation of young priests.
He said Bigard memorial Seminary had produced thousands of Cardinals, Archbishops, bishops and priests who continue to propagate the Catholic values not only in Nigeria, but also across the world.
“This achievement is a sign of the great role Nigeria is playing in the universal church. Many of them are from Enugu, and are serving in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
The Papal Nuncio conveyed the Pope’s appreciation to the Governor for his support for the church. He recalled the historic relationship between the people of Nigeria and Ireland saying they were united by faith and their missionaries who died in Nigeria were buried in Nigeria.
Archbishop Crotty was accompanied by the Catholic bishop of Enugu, Most Rev (Dr.) Callistus Onaga, the Auxiliary Bishop , Most Rev. Ernest Ogbodo, the Rector of Bigard Memorial seminary, Very Rev Fr. Ikpenwa among others.
Governor took them on sight-seeing of some of the innovative structures such the digital museum, digital artworks, and the Experiential Centre, among others.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
