By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The return of schools to the Church is the most fundamental, among other achievements of Mr. Peter Obi as the governor of Anambra State.
Msgr Sylvester Mgbemfulu, who recently retired as a priest of Awka Diocese, disclosed this when Obi visited him at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo.
Mgbemfulu, who described the visit of Obi as “surprising,” prayed to God to contribute to protect Obi from the snares of the enemy and to give him the grace to continue to serve God through his goodness to humanity.
Responding, Obi said that he read about Msgr Mgbemfulu after his retirement, how committed he was as a priest and as a teacher and how he spent the better part of his sacerdotal call on school apostolate and decided to visit him.
He further said that the visit was to thank him for contributing to the education of the youth, which he described as the best contribution for the advancement of the society.
On the cleric’s commendation for the return of school to the Church by the Obi administration, the former governor said it should rather be the other way round.
His words: “It is actually the government that should thank the Church for rising up to the requirements of managing education in the state that saw the date coming first in external examinations.”
Obi also said that he insisted on visiting Mgbemfulu because he has always believed that those that sacrificed for the state and institutions of the state deserve to be celebrated at their old age.
Obi said, “The celebration comes in different ways, including naming institutions after not just after politicians but after people like the Monsignor as well as prompt payment of the pension and gratuities of pensionable ones.”
On ground to receive Obi was the President of Bosco-Savio Old Boys Association and a lecturer at Oko Polytechnic, Mr. Celestine Ostende Oguegbu, who described Mgbemfulu as a rare teacher and Obi as also a rare leader who recognizes the rightful people for commendation based on their real and positive contributions to society. Making the votes of thanks, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Duru, said Obi’s visit was inspiring for people like him who were also the product of Msgr’s 38 years of intense and fruitful scholarship.