ABIA – The Governor, Dr Alex Otti has congratulated the Anglican Bishop of Ikwuano Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chimgozirim Onyegbule, and his wife, Mrs. Florence Onyegbule, on the occasion of their 25th marriage anniversary and reaffirmation of their marriage vows.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the St. Philips Cathedral, Ahaba Oloko, in Ikwuano LGA, Governor Otti described their union as a model of faith-driven partnership and a testament to the strength that comes from shared values, devotion and mutual respect.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, applauded the couple for modeling God’s kind of marriage in a world that has lost touch with the marital institution as ordained by God. He noted that today, the marital institution continues to be subjected to attacks and pressures from external forces including financial and economic pressures thereby increasing the crisis and divorce rates in our homes.
He congratulated the Onyegbule’s for building a home that not only stands firm in love but also serves as a pillar of support to the church and the wider community, noting that anniversaries like theirs remind society of the importance of strong families, which are considered the bedrock of moral stability and community development.
According to the State’s Chief Executive, his administration is committed to reducing these pressures on the marital institution by laying a firm foundation in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and other productive sectors where Abians can be both gainfully and productively engaged in order to generate resources that will help redefine their financial and economic fortunes.
In a homily, the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, explained that thanksgiving opens doors to divine favour, strengthens families, and anchors believers in times of abundance and difficulty alike and also encouraged all to cultivate a lifestyle of appreciation as a pathway to continuous spiritual and material blessings.
Speaking on behalf of his wife, the celebrant and Bishop of Ikwuano Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chimgozirm Onyegbule, appreciated God for sustaining their home over the past 25 years, describing the journey as one marked by grace, patience and unwavering faith.
He further thanked his family, Governor Otti, friends and the diocese for their support, and prayed God to continue to grant them more fruitful years of togetherness.
The anniversary which featured prayers for the celebrant and family, goodwill messages, cutting of anniversary cake also attracted the presence of Dr Uchechukwu Samson Ogah, Former Minister of State for Solid Minerals, His Grace, Rt Rev. Dr Uwaoma Ugochukwu Ezuoke, RTD Archbishop of Anglican Communion, Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, the Member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon. Boniface Isienyi, Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Apostle Kenneth Wiper, the clergy among other distinguished personalities.
