Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has urged Catholic faithful in Nigeria to employ the weapon of love to engender positive changes in the country.
“You can change Nigeria with love. Your lives should reflect the love of Christ and love for neighbours which brings about peace and progress,” he declared.
The governor spoke in Abuja on Thursday as the Catholic Church in Nigeria, through the Laity Council, conferred on him the first ever National Grand Patron Award.
Uzodimma, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, emphasized the need for Christians, especially Catholics, to ensure that their daily lives reflect the teachings of the Church so as to influence people into living morally upright in their conduct both in private and public endeavours.
Referencing the motto of the Laity Council, which is salt and light of the nation, Uzodimma harped on the need for millions of Catholics in Nigeria to live out that principle as a means of positively changing other Nigerians to better citizens.
“We are the ones translating the teachings of Christ into practical action in market places, classrooms, hospitals and corridors of power. We must therefore be the change agents required for peace and stability of Nigeria,” he noted.
Uzodimma, who is the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, also enjoined Catholic faithful to embrace the Catholic Social Teaching which promotes development and upliftment of mankind.
He said that as a practising Catholic, he has allowed the teaching to guide his actions as governor, resulting in the monumental infrastructural revolution and human capital development in the state.
He said that he decided to pay the highest minimum wage of N104,000 in Nigeria because he believes in the philosophy that the state exists to serve the people.
He enjoined those in positions of authority, especially Catholics, to rise to the current challenges facing Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and erosion of values.
The governor expressed profound appreciation to the Laity Council of Nigeria for finding him worthy to be the first recipient of its National Grand Patron Award, saying that it was an honour that he will never take for granted.
“As a born Catholic, I know what it means to be honoured by an institution that is oblivious of one’s social, economic and political standings. Any honour or recognition from the Catholic Church family is usually well deserved,” the governor submitted.
In a letter to Uzodimma notifying him of the award, the Church said the honour was in recognition of his “tireless efforts in supporting the Church from parishes to dioceses and your commitment to promoting the welfare of Catholics in Nigeria.”
In the letter signed by the National President, Sir Ambrose Obioha, and the National Secretary General, Mr Francis Ojo Olayinka, the Church also noted the governor’s commendable total dedication to the growth of the Catholic Church.
According to it, “your dedication to the growth of the Church and your services to humanity are truly commendable.”
The Church described the award of Grand Patron to Uzodimma as a fitting tribute to his selfless service.
