BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano said the State government will take delivery of the first batch of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines next week.
He stated this shortly after a mass to mark one Year Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia.
Our correspondent reports that the mass celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazz was held at St Joseph’s Cathedral Ekwulobia.
According to Governor Obiano who applauded the observance of the COVID-19 protocols at the mass, frontline health workers in the State will be the first to take their own vaccines.
The Governor revealed that Nigeria had received six million out of a total number of sixty million vaccines so far, and assured that Anambra State government has a good storage facility for the vaccines.
While commending the people of Ekwulobia for their support to the Bishop and the new Diocese, Governor Obiano urged Ndi Anambra to fill the vaccination form to be eligible for vaccination, adding that Nigeria’s target is that in two years, everyone must have been vaccinated.
Speaking on his upcoming seventh year anniversary, Governor Obiano said that his administration has completed seventy seven roads, fifteen bridges and other upcoming projects, including the International Cargo Airport and International Conference Centre, among others and made it clear that he will leave office on a high note.
While asking Bishop Okpalaeke to lead with truth and uprightness, the President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze pledged the support of the Conference of Bishops for Ekwulobia Diocese, calling on the members to do same.
Responding, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev Peter Okpalaeke expressed appreciation to God for giving them the gift of a new year.
One of the parishioners, Sir. Joseph Ezeokafor promised to keep supporting the Diocese to reach an enviable height.
Chief of Staff to Governor Obiano, Chief Primus Odili, Traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, Igwe, Emmanuel Onyeneke, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Charles Soludo, member representing Aguata constituency one, Hon Carter Nnamdi Umeh, members of the State executive council, among others, attended the event.
Twenty six Bishops including the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye, retinue of reverend fathers and parishioners were also present at the mass.
