Pope benedict honours Obi

Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI,  has bestowed an honour on Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi.

The award is said to be in appreciation of Obi’s selfless, remarkable and distinctive contributions to human development and nation-building.

Pope Benedict XVI approved the recognition on the recommendations of the Bishops of the Association of Episcopal Conference of Anglophone West Africa, AWCAWA.

The pontifical honour was conferred on behalf of His Holiness by His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Ukpo of Calabar during the 6th convocation of Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIIWA, Port Harcourt.

The governor, whose award was received by the State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Calistus  Ilozumba, thanked His Holiness for the award which, he said, would inspire the governor to do more for humanity.

Established in 1981 by the Catholic Bishops of Anglophone West Africa, CIWA has a tradition of “pioneering inculcation within the framework of contextualizing theology.”

Created with a dual pontifical and civil charter, there are currently plans to elevate the institute to an ecclesiastical university.

Speaking on Governor Obi’s acceptance of the award against his perceived reluctance to accept honours by organizations and communities, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Communications, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubabukoh, said every rule had an exception.

“The governor is mindful that he is still at work; some awards are genuine and  will inspire him to work harder; some others are anything but noble and  will only distract him,” he said.

Vanguard

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