The Vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi, has described as “coming at the appointed time”, the creation of the new Diocese of Ekwulobia from Awka Diocese.
Obi, who addressed the press at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said that he was elated at the two uplifting news of the creation of a new Diocese and the appointment of Bishop Peter Okpaleke as its pioneer bishop.
The former governor of Anambra State described the development as devine.
According to him, any person who recalled the journey of Awka Diocese from 1978 would necessarily commend all the bishops, starting from the pioneer Bishop, the late Archbishop Albert Obiefuna to the present one, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, for the development recorded in the physical and most importantly spiritual lives of the people.
On the way forward for the new Diocese, Obi said that he was confident it would follow the trajectory of the development of the mother Diocese.
He said at Diocese was lucky in having an old Bishop as its pioneer.
“Besides being an old Bishop, Okpaleke is serious-minded, committed, disciplined and with varied pastoral experiences, both in quiet and murky waters that his success is taking for granted.”
While calling on the clergy and laity to offer the new Diocese and its Bishop the necessary support, Obi thanked the Holy Father, Pope Francis for remaining a worthy Shepard to the universal Church.