Jubilation As Ebonyi Catholic Priest Celebrates Silver Jubilee priestly Ordination
It was a moment of Thanksgiving and gratitude to God Almighty as Catholic faithfuls and other christians from various denominations and well wishers gathered at St. Mathew's Catholic Church Ugwuachara Abakaliki, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of August 2019, to celebrate 25 years (Silver Jubilee) Priestly ordination of the Parish priest and SSA to Governor David Nweze Umahi on Religious and Welfare Matters, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali, who was described by many as a gift from God to impact positively on mankind.
Rev. Fr. Nwali who was ordained a Catholic priest in 1994 was said to have contributed immensely not only to the spiritual growth of the people but also to the overall development of the masses, through his benevolent gestures and strategic empowerment programmes.
In his remarks, the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Cheif David Nweze Umahi, who was ably represented by the Deputy Governor Barr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, noted that Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali has combined his position as priest of God and his Office as the SSA on Religious and Welfare Matters to render selfless service to the people of Ebonyi State and even beyond especially the down trodden and the handicapped, stressing the need to emulate his good gestures for the good of the society.
The deputy governor described him as a shining example of God's servant, and prayed for God's protection and more wisdom for him to continue with his good works while wishing him a happy Silver Jubilee celebration.
Similarly, the Honorable Commissioner for Lands and survey, Hon. Moses Oshibe and the wife of the Anglican Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Lady Mrs. Nwanyieze Nkwegu in their separate remarks observed that since the inauguration of Rev. Fr. Nwali as a Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the governor on Religious and Welfare Matters, on 7th day of September 2015, that the lives of millions of Ebonyi people and even beyond have been diligently impacted so positively, thereby justifying governor Umahi's reasons for the creation of that noble office.
Hon. Oshibe and Lady Mrs. Nkwegu noted that Very Rev. Fr. Nwali has recorded huge success and mind blowing achievements, ranging from peace management and sustenance, moral and spiritual wellbeing and humanitarian services ranging from attending to the sick via hospital visitations, attending to legionaries, the physically challenged, the widows, the orphans, school children as well as attending to the poor and the vulnerable groups, and also by making provisions for the churches.
In an interview, the celebrant, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali, who also doubles as the SSA to governor Umahi on Religious and Welfare Matters and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi State Chapter, expressed gratitude to God for keeping him alive for the past 25 years of missionary service as a priest, and for giving him the privilege to touch lives positively especially the less privileged in the society.
Rev. Fr. Nwali posited that a man of God is actually a public servant, adding that he was born to serve God in serving his people, and described the combination of church service with public service as a combination of the soul and the body, adding that he has used his position to pay the dowries of over two thousand people; paid the hospital bills of over ten thousand sick people; and also responded to the needs of over five thousand religious men and women; and above all, contributed to the spiritual growth of the people as a teacher, a preacher and a celebrant.
He however, extended his gratitude to the state governor, Engr. Cheif David Nweze Umahi, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Nnachi Okoro, the Clergy, members of CAN, the Church, and indeed the members of the public for celebrating with him, and prayed God to bless them.
The event also witnessed presentation of books written by the celebrant and the well wishers which made the silver jubilee celebration very memorable.
Some of the books written by the celebrant, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali include "Marriage Seminar. Volume one", "Conditional Marriage. It's implication", " The Effect of No to Good of Children in Marriage (Exclusio Bonum Prolis)", "The Import of Clerical Celibacy in the life of the Church", among others. While some of the ones written by the friends and well wishers include "The Wizard of a Man" by Comrade Simeon Usulor, "Father of all Nations. Abraham of Our Time" by Prince Solomon Okorie, "25 Reasons Fr. Abraham Nwali Deserves to be Celebrated at 25 of His Priestly Anniversary" by Onu Agwu Paul, "The Man of Integrity" by Rev. Daniel Usulor, and many other books which were shared to the participants of the event.
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