… Urge Nigerian vote wisely in the elections

From Scholastica Onyeka Makurdi

The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, His Excellency, Most Rev Wilfred Anagbe, has called on the Lay faithful to dissociate themselves from rumour mongering and the antic of enemies of the Church on Social Media and concentrate on making their way to heaven.

Bishop Anagbe made this call when he received the leadership of the Makurdi Catholic Diocesan Laity Council who paid him a solidarity visit at Pope St John Paul II Pastoral Center, Makurdi, on Friday.

The Bishop, who also noted that the elections are almost here, called on Nigerians to cast their votes wisely by voting the right candidate to salvage the nation from current state of chaos.

The Bishop, who was responding to the recent social media attacks on his person, promised to continue his planned activities in the diocese without fear or favour as he was bent on wiping corruption and ensure development in the diocese.

Anagbe who said that the social media attacks on his personality were simply corruption fighting back, explained that, in two years of prudent management, he has saved over N40 million in one of his Catholic institutions in the diocese.

Reiterating his resolve not be deterred by the activities of detractors in the diocese on Social Media, the Bishop maintained that he will continue to provide purposeful leadership to the diocese just as appreciated the Laity Council for their solidarity visit and the confidence they have reposed in him as the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese.

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Speaking on the forthcoming elections, the Bishop who called on Nigerians to cast their minds of the present situation of the country charged them to cast their votes wisely and for the right candidates saying “I have a vote which I will cast that day, so we must all vote wisely.”

Earlier, President of the Makurdi Catholic Diocesan Laity Council, Sir Njie Andrew, said they were on a solidarity visit to pay their allegiance to His Lordship in appreciation for the giant strides he has taken in the last eight years as the local ordinary in the Catholic diocese of Makurdi especially for being an advocate for the voiceless people of the Benue valley.

Sir Njie said the great strides of Bishop Anagbe in the spiritual growth in the diocese include the creation of several Pastoral units, the provision of legacy infrastructural projects in the health sector as well as in Education and particularly the SE Sugh u Maria Pilgrimage Centre Ayati which is a milestone achievement that attracted the commendation of the Metropolitan of Abuja Province during the last Abuja Provincial Eucharistic Congress held at the Centre in September last year.

The council also commended him for the total overhaul of the St. Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre Makurdi, the reconstruction of the Divine Mercy Minor Seminary Makurdi, the Construction of Our Lady of Consolation Secondary School Agan, the establishment of the Diocesan Tailoring Institute, the reconstruction and massive equipping of the Bishop Murray Medical Centre, Makurdi, the Scholarship scheme for IDPs amongst others.

The President, on behalf of the Council pledged their total allegiance to the Bishop for the growth and development of the diocese. He was accompanied by elected officials of the Diocesan Laity Council, the Papal Knights, the Coordinating Grand Knight and other Grand Knights of the KSM, the Grand President KSJi Makurdi Grand and Grand Respected President, District Commander, Worthy Presidents,KSJI, Presidents of Diocesan based Lay Apostolate organizations and Sodalities and Presidents and Secretaries of Deanery Laity Councils.

The Secretary General of the Abuja ecclesiastical province, brother Daniel Kwaghza, also gave the Bishop a path on the back for remaining steadfast despite all odds and promised to stand by him in the defense of ideas of moving the church forward in the Diocese of Makurdi.