Victor EzejaValentine Ozigbo, a governorship candidate in the Anambra 2021 election is billed to chair the grand reception to formally receive home His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke at the Ekwulobia Diocese on September 8, 2022.
Cardinal Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese and an indigene of Amesi in Anambra State is one of the 20 newly created cardinals and one of the two from Africa.
The solemn event was presided by Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church at a consistory held in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome on Saturday, 27 August, 2022.
Ozigbo who went to witness the solemn event, issued a statement from Rome congratulating Cardinal Okpaleke for the elevation, saying he said is a close friend and former teacher to him.
The immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, expressed joy for witnessing the event.
“What a joyful experience to witness the creation of Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke by His Holiness, Pope Francis today at the St. Peter’s Basilica.
“I celebrate with Catholic faithful worldwide on this special occasion and congratulate my elder brother, His Eminence, Cardinal Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, on this elevation of service,” Ozigbo stated.
He described Cardinal Okpaleke as a man full of grace, wisdom and humility, noting that such rare qualities has been the secret of his spiritual elevation.
“His Eminence is an embodiment of grace, humility, and wisdom, and this elevation to a Prince of the Universal Church comes precisely 30 years of his priestly ordination.
“I honour what His Eminence represents, particularly for us in Amesi and Ndi Anambra. We are grateful to the Almighty for keeping him and granting us the grace to witness this solemn ceremony. May God Almighty take the glory,” Ozigbo prayed.
Men of God at the event were His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop emeritus of Abuja; Francis Cardinal Arinze; His Grace, Most Rev Dr Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Metropolitan See of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province; His Grace, Archbishop Jude Okolo, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic; His Lordship Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese; His Lordship Bishop Jonas Benson of Nnewi Diocese, His Lordship, Bishop Martin Uzoukwu of Minna Diocese; His Lordship, Bishop Anselm Umoren of Abuja Archdiocese; and many more.
Other notable Nigerians who witnessed the consistory are Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party; Prof Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, and his wife, Nonye Soludo; Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the senator representing Anambra South; Senator Victor Umeh, the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Nonso Okpala, MD/CEO of VFD Group; Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora; Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor of Jezco Group; Senator Margret Okadigbo, the Chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Ada Umeorji, the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank; Prof Charles Esimone, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Rt. Hon Uchenna Okafor, Speaker Anambra House of Assembly; Chief Ikenna Okafor (Ide Akwaeze); Mr Robert Umeozulu; Mrs Obby Okwubanego; Ozonkpu Victor Oye, Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon Chris Azubuogu, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, former VC of Unizik and many others.
After the ceremony, His Holiness, Pope Francis led the new cardinals on a courtesy visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. As the Vatican News Agency reported, Pope Francis greeted Benedict XVI with great affection and made the cross on his forehead sign in a brief emotional meeting. Then the new cardinals introduced themselves one by one to exchange brief messages.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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