Alphonsus Nweze
There were torrent of tributes and accolades as His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, the icon of universal church turned 90 years.
Consequently, the celebration last Thursday attracted creme la creme of Anambra State politics, business, traditional institution and men in holy order.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, presidential candidate of Labour Party and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, the immediate Governor of the State, Chief Willie Obiano and his wife, who is the Senatorial candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra North in the 2023 election, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and business mogul, Dr. ABC Orjiakor among many others were the prominent personalities that graced the mass that marked Arinze’s 90 years.
John Cardinal Onaiyikan, the retired Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese who delivered the homily at the event led other catholic Bishops, priests and religious to the ceremony.
In his tribute, the former National Chairman of APGA, Sir Victor Umeh, thanked God for the gift of Cardinal Arinze to the church in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
He said, “Arinze’s role in the Vatican city has brought honour to Africa and Igbo land in particular.”
Umeh who is the Labour Party Senatorial candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone said: “God created you very strong and chose you very early for his priesthood. You achieved landmark elevation at a very early age, becoming an Archbishop at the age of 33 years.”
Senator Umeh prayed for God to grant and renew the Cardinal’s strenght and health as he begins his journey of life to another decade.
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, quoting the scriptures, thanked God for the many lives Cardinal Arinze has touched in many positive ways in the course of his ministry.
He also thanked God for giving the cardinal: “the gift of long life in good health of mind and body; a life of total surrender and service to God and his people; a life of fulfilling dedication to Christ and his church; a life marked by discipline, constancy and coherence in bearing witness to the gospel.”
Prof. Onah equally thanked God for what Arinze has been able to do with the enormous blessings bestowed on him by God.
“Indeed, you have been a source of inspiration to many priests, religious and lay faithfuls,” he concluded.
