Enugu state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah has applauded the efforts of the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Enugu Diocese, (Anglican Communion) His Grace, Most Rev(Prof) Emmanuel Chukwuma in the development of the Anglican Church in Nigeria and abroad.
He gave the commendation on Sunday,July 2,2023, during a Synod Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd to mark the end of the 3rd Session of the 18th Synod of Enugu Diocese .
pix1-Archbishop Chukwuma , wife and the clergymen
Pix-SSG,Prof Onyia up
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia , Governor Mbah solicited for peace and support to be able to achieve his promises to “ndi Enugu”.
Professor Onyia who spoke in an interview, appreciated what Archbishop Chukwuma had done for the Anglican church.
He said: “On behalf of the Enugu state Government, we really appreciate what Archbishop Chukwuma has done for the Anglican Church and as we gathered again for this synod, even though it’s his last one, we will continue to solicit for peace in Enugu state,we will continue to solicit for corporation for His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, even as he continues to work diligently towards the promises he made for ndi Enugu and we are very sure that with the support of ndi Enugu that Dr Peter Mbah will exceed all the targets he sets.
“We have come here with the goodwill message for Archbishop, for the Anglican Communion and for the Church in general that we will continue to stand upright and speak the truth and not always cowed down to the things that are not upright.
Pix- SSG,Prof Onyia
“The government of Enugu state is part of this remarkable last synod for the Archbishop Chukwuma “, he said.
Similarly, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party,Peter Obi, congratulated Archbishop Chukwuma on his 34 years in the episcopacy.
Represented by the former Commissioner for Information, Anambra state and Deputy Vice Chancellor of St. Paul University,Awka, Prof Stella Okunna, Obi commended Archbishop Chukwuma for the giant strides he has achieved in the Anglican church.
Speaking , Archbishop Chukwuma decried the state of the nation. He described Muhammad Buhari administration as the worst and the most corrupt administration in Nigeria. He urged the Federal Government to probe the immediate past president, Buhari.
Pix- Archbishop Chukwuma,Chaplain Nduka, PA
“Buhari should be probed, the former minister of Humanitarian should be probed and be imprisoned. What did she do with the N500 billion released to her every month? Where did she send the money to? How many people did she feed? Former Minister of Information,Lai Mohammade, Former minister of works, Fashola and former minister of Aviation should also be probed. Fashola should explain what happened to the money released for Enugu- Onitsha express road,” he said.
The Archbishop who will be retiring in January,2024, said that the second Niger bridge- was not in use. He urged the Federal Government to open the second Niger bridge to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Pix- Peter Obi’s representative,Prof Okunna
On removal.of fuel subsidy, the Cleric noted that fuel is expensive and the president and Governors should reduce their convoy. He urged the federal government to put measures in place to alleviate the sufferings the removal of the subsidy had caused..
He appealed to president Tinubu to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, held in DSS detention even after Court ruled he should be released, saying that his release will help in restoring peace in the South East zone.
Pix- SSG delivering Gov Mbah’s Goodwill message
The Archbishop also appealed to Tinubu to speak to the King of England, King Charles to reduce the jail term given to the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
He thanked President Tinubu for appointing an Igboman the Chief of Naval Staff, Ogalla, urging them to fight against oil theft.
He also made case for the police, urging the police authority to improve the welfare of the police, saying that the junior ones were suffering.
On the 2023 general elections , Archbishop Chukwuma condemned the exercise. He said: “Independent National Electoral Commission failed. Mahmood failed. They should not knock us off. We have seen the evidences.”
He was of the view that “tribunals should be headed by retired Judges not serving Judges to avoid corruption.”
Pix- SSG and wife
The Cleric said he laboured in Bauchi and Enugu Dioceses , built three Cathedrals, one in Bauchi,one in Enugu and one in Gombe. He also built 3 bishop’s courts in Enugu, Bauchi and Nike Dioceses. Archbishop Chukwuma also built all the new houses in Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd premises, Good Shepherd Micro Finance bank, hospital, schools, churches among others. He said he is the only Bishop in Nigeria without an official car. All his cars were gifts from people .
He thanked his wife, Dr Joyce Chukwuma, for being very supportive to his success story. The Archbishope urged Nigerians to be in peace, to be prayerful.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama