His Grace, Most Revd. Alexander Ibezim, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, has donated gift items to retired clergymen and orphanages to mark his 60th birthday.
Director, Media, and Communications, Diocese of Awka and Province of the Niger, Emeka Odogwu, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Awka on Sunday.
He said Ibezim visited Catholic Priests’ Welfare Home and Aquinas Catholic Church, Awka to deliver the items.
Ibezim also donated a bag of rice and cash to retired Anglican Priests Emmaus House, Awka, for devoting their lives to the service of God and the Church.
Odogwu said Ibezim and his wife, Martha Chioma, visited Faith Community Children’s Home, Awka, where he donated food items and writing materials to support the managers in training the children.
According to him, Ibezim said the gesture is in the spirit of ecumenism and to celebrate his old colleagues who are no longer in active service.
Odogwu said Most Revd. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, received the food items on behalf of the old Catholic Priests.
He quoted Ezeokafor as commending Ibezim for remembering to visit the retired priests, adding that the gesture alone was enough to reassure them that they were still important members of the Church and society.
Odogwu said Ifeoma Agu, the manager of Faith Community Children’s Home, also wished His Grace a happy birthday.
She thanked him for the gifts while praying that God would enlarge his coast to give more to the Church and society.
In a related development, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Awka has sent his goodwill message to Ibezim on his Diamond Jubilee.
Soludo, in a statement signed by Christian Aburime, his Press Secretary, also congratulated the Archbishop on his three years of Archiepiscopacy, 12 years of episcopacy, and 38 years of service in God’s vineyard.
“I commend the exemplary leadership you have provided over the years as an Anglican Prelate and your pious devotion to the service of the Lord.
“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Anambra, I congratulate you most warmly.
“I also deeply appreciate the support you have provided to my administration in our journey towards building a liveable and prosperous homeland,” Soludo said.
He prayed that God would grant Ibezim grace, good health, long life, and more wisdom in the years ahead.