By Leonard Ajokubi
Archbishop UgorjiI is a great man of God – Udokporo …Says: He moved Umuahia Diocese from grass to grace
Engr. Emeka Udokporo, an ardent Catholic and Papal Knight of St. Gregory, has said that the new Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev Bishop Luscious Iwejuru Ugorji, was a visionary leader and great man of God.
Engr Udokporo, who stated this while fielding questions from the Peoples Hero shortly after the installation ceremony of the new Archbishop, held at the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese recently, said that he moved Umuahia Diocese from grass to grace.
His words, “We all gathered here today to witness the installation of the new Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev Bishop Luscious Iwejuru Ugorji. He is the second Archbishop to be appointed to the Owerri Archdiocese, and we are happy to rejoice with the Catholic faithful and the Church.
“Archbishop Ugorji was actually ordained a priest at the age of 25, and he became a Bishop at the age of 38. He served the Catholic diocese of Umuahia as a Bishop for 32 years, and moved the diocese from grass to grace. The diocese can stand and compete with any other diocese in Nigeria. So, he is a great man of God, very visionary, very dedicated, and highly spiritual. Like the Archbishop Emeritus said, he is a round peg in a round hole. He is a very humble man, he is very modest, and indeed, he has more than one shoe. He is wearing the shoes of Ahiara diocese, wearing that of Umuahia, and now the Archbishop of Owerri. That gives you an idea of the kind of man he is. He is a very good man”.
Continuing, he said, “Owerri Archdiocese will witness his style of governance, his style of leadership and they will be happy for it. I can assure you that. I can comfortably tell you that he will move Owerri Archdiocese forward”.
The Chairman, Ihiagwa Town Management Committee (ITMC), Engr. Udokporo, while advising the Catholic faithful in Owerri Archdiocese to give the new Archbishop unwavering support, prayed God to continue to guide and protect him as he conducts the affairs of the Archdiocese.
” My prayer is whatever support they gave to the Archbishop Emeritus should be extended to him. The Lord should give him the strength to Shepherd the flock that have been entrusted into him. Thee Lord should give him wisdom upon wisdom and good health to always take the right decisions for the right assignments. Owerri is bigger than where he is coming from. He is the President of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, so he has the capability, the training, knowledge and experience to do the job. So, my prayer is that the Lord should bless him and keep him for this job He has given him”.
On the need to contribute to the maintenance of peace in the State and protection of the poor, the easy-going Community leader averred, “The governor virtually empowered the Archbishop to speak for the poor, and for the oppressed without fear or favour. Everybody is looking up to him. The governor has made the job easier for him by insisting that he should tell them when he is doing wrong and when he is doing the right thing.”
