The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, has commended the out-going State Governor, Mr. Obi Peter Obi, for allowing God to use him to restore the glory of the state.

Delivering a homily during a thanksgiving mass in honour of Obi at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral on Sunday, Bishop Okeke said that Obi has entrenched basic principles of good governance as enduring legacy for the state and Nigeria. He noted that Governor Obi has prudently used public resources to achieve the objective of government in most economical and cost effective ways.

The Bishop recalled that before the inception of the Obi administration, the Anambra looked as if it was abandoned by God, engulfed by political turmoil and turbulence, lawlessness, indiscipline, general insecurity, lack of respect for human dignity and life as well as lack of development in most public sectors and lack of confidence in government.

He noted that Governor Obi reversed the trend and launched the state on course for sustainable development, using the instrument of ANIDS and partnering with the Church to rebuild and reposition schools and hospitals abandoned for many decades with huge investment in the health and education sectors, while the state has the best road network in Nigeria.

Most Rev. Okeke prayed God to give Anambra and Nigeria future leaders like Governor Obi who would make the welfare of the people the cornerstone of their policies and programmes.

The Bishop lamented the unbridled quest for material wealth, corruption, insecurity, unemployment and hunger.he urged Christians to seek the face of God for divine intervention to over-come the various challenges.

In an address, the Vicar of the Church, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ezeobata, said Governor Obi sacrificed a lot to uplift Anambra through strategic planning and execution of projects resulting to uncommon transformation. He noted that the governor has become a political icon in the state and country who would remain important as far as exemplary governance is concerned. The Vicar expressed confidence that Obi’s successor, Chief Willie Obiano, is well equipped to continue from where Obi stopped.

Responding, Governor Obi, while thanking the Diocese for the honour, observed that prayers of the people was a major factor that sustained him through the years. He said service of the state had given him the wealth of experience in human management, assuring that his successor would continue the good work from where he stops.

•Photo shows Gov. Peter Obi (left), with the President of the Amalgamated Market Traders Association of Anambra State, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo (right), during the recent presentation of nine security vehicles to some markets in the state. Improved security is one of Obi’s legacies.

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