Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed gladness over the deluge of prayers and goodwill messages from the people of the state on his 65th birthday and has promised not to let them down.
In a brief remarks at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, after a thanksgiving mass, he thanked the people for the love and support they have shown him and his family. He also thanked the people for believing in him.
The governor, who pleaded with the people to understand his ways, and tolerate his shortcomings, described the day of his birth as a day of joy, in which all would continue to be glad and rejoice.
Uzodimma said it was a delight to worship with the congregation “in the spirit of God and victory,” reminding them that it was the first mass since he received his certificate of return for a second term in office after winning in all the 27 local governments.
The governor, who said he observed the spirit of enthusiasm and joy on the faces of the people, thanked God for His infinite mercies and kindness to him these past years, and used the opportunity to welcome all and sundry to his birthday celebrations.
He enjoined the congregation and all Imo people to continue to live their lives as Christians that they profess, doing the things expected of them and repenting of their sins to make heaven at last.
In his homily, Stanley Onyeagba of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Awommama, thanked God for the life of the governor and his family as a rare gift to the people of Imo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
He, however, urged the governor to be wary of sycophants, who may want to derail his good plans and programmes for the Imo people in the second term of his administration.
The Eucharistic Mass was presided over by the Cathedral Administrator of Okigwe Catholic Diocese, Monsignor John Iwe, and assisted by the representatives of the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and that of Orlu Diocese.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State, Eches Divine Eches, and other men of God were also in attendance.
Highlights of the celebration were the presentation of birthday gifts and cakes to the governor.
The Anglican Bishop of Egbu Diocese, Enyinnaya Okoroafor, the All Progressives Congress executives in Imo State, led by their Chairman, Macdonald Ebere, the choir master, Government House Chapel, and the Government House management and staff, led by the Principal Secretary, Irene Chima, and the Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyaehie, led in the presentations.
Also present at the thanksgiving mass were the state Deputy Governor, Placid Njoku, and his wife, Bola; the deputy governor-elect, Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chukwuma; House of Representatives members, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, members of the Imo State expanded executive council, and top civil servants, among others.
