The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike on Sunday said history will be kind to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace in the state contrary to the security challenges being experienced in other states of the South East geo-political zone.
Prof. Ike extolled Ugwuanyi’s virtues as a peacemaker and unassuming leader who accommodates everybody irrespective of political or religious differences and goes extra miles to dialogue with people and make peace, stressing that “history is in the future, history is the past and history in the present is not correct.”
In his sermon during a Thanksgiving Mass for Gov. Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo for the successful completion of their eight-year tenure, held at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, the cleric also commended Governor Ugwuanyi, the founder of SUMAS for investing heavily in education by empowering people during the establishment of the university, among other interventions in the sector.
The Thanksgiving Mass was equally held to thank God for the emergence of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, to serve the people of Enugu State as governor and deputy governor respectively, from May 29, 2023.
Prof. Ike disclosed that the influx of people into Enugu State was because of the peaceful atmosphere in the state made possible by Ugwuanyi’s uncommon leadership style and his commitment to the affairs of God.
“Jesus said to his apostles today I give you peace. Lawrence Ugwuanyi you tried by God’s grace to give us peace. May peace be with you, may peace stay with you.
“History is in the future, history is in the past and history in the present is not correct.
“We shall have one day to look back and say Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi did this. We want to thank you.
“You said as the Bishop announced Enugu State is in the hands of God.”
The cleric pointed out that Ugwuanyi’s administration encountered so many unforeseen challenges such the nation’s economic recession (twice), the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protest and the Obidient Movement that affected the outcome of the last general election especially in the South East zone.
He stated that despite all these setbacks, Gov. Ugwuanyi ensured that Enugu remains peaceful and progressive in terms development in education, health, infrastructure, workers’ welfare, security, among others.
Earlier, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga disclosed that Pentecost Sunday Mass was a big celebration of the universal church and also a bid celebration in Enugu Diocese “because this is a Holy Ghost Diocese.”
Speaking on the Thanksgiving Mass, Bishop Onaga said: “Today, the Enugu State government is saying thank you to God because for the past eight years, they (Ugwuanyi and Ezeilo) have piloted the affairs of this very state and God has been with them, because Enugu State is in the hands of God. God has done it, from a very turbulent period to a very wonderful and great period. So, God takes all the glory for everything.
The Thanksgiving Mass was attended by Dr. Mbah and his wife, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah; Barr. Ossai and his wife, Mrs. Adaeze Ifeyinwa Ossai; the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi; the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena; the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu State, Hon. Justice George Nnamani; former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. (Dr.) Jim Nwobodo, his wife, Mrs. Pat Nwobodo; former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Dorothy Nwodo; Bishop of Nsukka and Awgu Dioceses, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and Most Rev. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okoye; the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Ernest Obodo; the Bishop Emeritus of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Gbuji, among other dignitaries.
Shortly after the Mass, Governor Ugwuanyi inaugurated the Administrative Building of the Enugu State House of Assembly, the first flyover bridge to be constructed by the state government located at T-Junction, Nike Lake Road, Enugu West Local Government Area, a befitting Event Hall at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu named “Udulekenyi Hall”, among other projects, marking the successful completion of his tenure.
