The Anambra State government has congratulated Most Reverend Hilary Odili Paul Okeke, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, on his seventy-fourth birthday which will take place today January 21, 2021.
Dr Okeke has been the Bishop of Nnewi since the creation of the Diocese in November, 2001.
A statement signed by the Anambra state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, who disclosed that Governor Willie Obiano has already sent a special birthday message to the respected religious leader, said Bishop Okeke has done a masterful job in shepherding the diocese in the last twenty years.
The Commissioner observed that the Vatican could not have chosen a better person to serve as the pioneer bishop of the diocese.
According to him, Bishop Okeke is not just the tallest bishop in Nigeria in terms of height, but also very tall in wisdom, knowledge, intellect, energy, faith, morals, peaceful co-existence, administration and leadership.
The statement said that apart from serving as a senior lecturer at the Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt where he set up the Department of Canon Law, Most Reverend Okeke has served with the Anambra State Ministry of Education as a supervisor and taught at Boys High School, Ogbaru, when Ogbaru Local Government Area had no such basic amenities as tarred roads, pipe-borne water, public electricity supply and telephones, apparently on account of its difficult terrain.
It said that he carried out each assignment with cheer and enthusiasm, inspiring other people to do likewise.
While describing Bishop Okeke as a lively conversationalist, lucid writer and engaging debater, the statement added that Bishop Okeke is the author of books, learned journal, articles and conference papers.
The statement explained that the government is delighted that the bishop takes no credit for any of his considerable achievements but rather ascribes them to God, saying that his humility is indeed, infectious.
It said that the government and people of Anambra State felicitate with the bishop and the people of God everywhere on the seventy-fourth birthday of Most Reverend Okeke, Nna ora Ndi Anambra State.
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