By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has expressed commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with the potentials of throwing open, the flood gates of development into the state.
Soludo, who disclosed this while welcoming the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stefano De Leo and the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazzi who paid a visit to the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia.
The governor described their visit as a blessing of God, noting that he came with two messages for the church; the first is to let them know that God loves Ekwulobia Diocese.
"We must let you know we appreciate your visit. As a member of this Diocese, I have come to join my brothers in Christ to welcome you. To thank you immensely for your support to Nigeria and the Diocese of Ekwulobia. Your support is very eminent. I am happy you will be visiting Peter University.
"The church is a very strong partner in human capital development, health and education. The teachers we are recruiting will be posted to these schools. We must pay these 5000 teachers. I look forward to follow up with you for the conversation we started and the future partnership between Italy and Anambra state," Soludo stressed.
Also speaking, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke thanked God for making the day possible, appreciated the love they have shown by creating time to visit and experience the rich Anambra culture.
Cardinal Okpalaeke emphasized that the attendance and sacrifice by all and sundry confirms their strong faith in God, love for the guests and solidarity with the church and Italian State.
"The memories of this visit will remain ever green in our minds. My prayer is that our coming together today will lead to increase in the faith of our people, improvement in our grassroots evangelization, invigoration and empowerment of the weak and the down-trodden," added, the Cardinal.
The Senator for Anambra South Constituency, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Youth Empowerment Program, Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye, among others, attended the event.