Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called for fervent prayers for the leadership of the country “so as to see the nation through these trying times”.
The governor spoke on Sunday on two occasions in Enugu when he received awards from the Knights of St. John International of the Catholic Church and her Anglican Communion counterpart, maintaining that the present economic and other issues posing myriads of problems for leaders at all levels of government in the country called for prayers from the church and the people.
Also at the weekend, the governor commended President Muhammad Buhari for appointing two indigenes of Enugu State into positions in his government.
He was speaking at Eke in Udi council area of the state during a civic reception for the minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Goeffrey Onyeama and the director general of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
Notable among those present on the two occasions where the governor called for prayers were the former Inspector General of Police and chairman of the police service commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, former national chairman of the People’S Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, deputy governor of Ebonyi state, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who represented Governor Dave Umahi, Prof. Solomon Chukwulobelu, secretary to Anambra state government who represented Governor Willie Obiano, among top government and other leaders.
Ugwuanyi was one of the leaders honoured at St. Mulumba Catholic Church New Haven, Enugu and also at Church of Resurection Power, Anglican Communion, Enugu yesterday for their exemplary works of charity and actions as leaders.
While speaking at the Anglican church event where the other two governors also from the South East zone were honoured by the church led by the vocal Arch Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Enugu governor who reviewed the state of the nation specifically called for prayers for country’s present leaders at all levels.
According to him, “the leadership of the country at all levels need your prayers at these trying times” as he recalled the Biblical miracle of the three loaves and three fish as his guiding in piloting the governmental affairs in his state in the face of the crunchy economic situation.
He also called on the churches to collaborate with governments at all levels in a synergy that would promote the growth of democracy in the country, as he expressed appreciation for the Episcopal Diamond Award conferred on him by Knights of St. John International.
At the separate events former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo gave a brief citation on the governor, saying his works of charity before and after he had become governor stood him out as being in tandem with the tenets of Knights of St. John while Arch Bishop Chukwuma also commended the governor for his humanitarian activities, a position that drew a chorused affirmative response from the huge congregation.
On Saturday, at the home town of the two federal appointees, Governor Ugwuanyi had commended President Buhari for finding for finding two sons of the state worthy of appointment into positions of authority at the federal level.
According to the governor,” no doubt that our sons are truly deserving of the appointments and we are thankful for this great opportunity that they have been given to apply their capabilities and competencies to the services of the nation”
The event was attended by dignitaries including the former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo, Tony Mogbo (SAN) deputy Corp Marshal Chidi Nwachukwu as well as government functionaries and traditional rulers.
