The Rivers State Government says the Partnership between the Government and the Church would be deeper as it gears up for its second tenure.
The State Chief Executive Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this during the Episcopal Consecration of Rt. Rev. Patrick Eluke as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, 9th May 2019.
Represented by his Deputy Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike expressed delight that for the first time since the creation of the Port Harcourt Diocese 58 years ago, a worthy son of Rivers State is being ordained as Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike said the ordination of Bishop Eluke came at the time he was getting set to commence his second tenure which according to him would foster greater partnership with the church to enshrine righteousness amongst our youths.
“You can see that the incoming of our Auxiliary Bishop and knowing that we have over one million Catholic faithfuls in Rivers State Obviously he is going to partner with the Government and People of the State to keep our youths from restiveness, lead them to the way of the Lord and righteousness. Imagine where we have over one million out of six million people following the path of righteousness we will no longer hear of restiveness and so we thank God because he is doing a new thing at the right time we must always trust the lord because he is always on time, he is never late that is why we are so delighted”. The Governor further stressed.
Governor Wike said Government would continue to intensify its engagements with Churches, Traditional Rulers CDC Chairmen of Communities, youths and other stake holders to improve security.
He expressed gratitude to His Holiness Pope Francis for the appointment of a Rivers Son for the first time as the Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese which was created on 16th of May 1961.
In his Address the Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Rt. Rev Patrick Eluke expressed gratitude to the Almighty God and Pope Francis for finding him worthy to make history as the first indigenous Bishop of the Port Harcourt Diocese, describing it as a call to greater service to God and humanity.
