R-L: The celebrant, Msgr. Obiora Ike, Governor Peter Mbah shakes hands with Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship, Dr Callistus Onaga, and other dignitaries at the event
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has paid glowing tributes to the founder of the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), Prof. Obiora Ike, urging individuals, especially younger generations, to emulate Ike’s values of integrity, sacrifice, and service to humanity.
Governor Mbah, who addressed guests during a reception organized at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, to celebrate Ike’s 70th birthday anniversary, 45th priesthood, and 40 years of founding CIDJAP, said: “His life challenges us not only to dream, but to act. Faith must be matched with action. Even when the sea appears empty, we must keep fishing.” He was quick to describe the celebrant as a “champion of service and epitome of true character.”
Mbah also described Ike as a rare gift to humanity, whose life has been devoted to uplifting society through selfless service, education, youth empowerment, and job creation. The governor appreciated the celebrant’s longstanding commitment to developing human capacity, noting that his work through the CIDJAP and other platforms had positively impacted countless lives across generations.
Mbah said, “You have a man always talking about others without reference to himself. We thank and commend the Church for making him available to share his insight. You are indeed Enugu’s gift to humanity.”
Governor Mbah further outlined the significance of the ceremony, which he described as a triple celebration, stressing that the priest’s life exemplified a “rare blend of wisdom, faith, character, and action.”
Mbah also used the occasion to unveil selected books authored by the celebrant, as well as publications written in his honour, expressing confidence that the global community would continue to benefit from Ike’s wealth of knowledge and experience. Earlier in his homily, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Ernest Obodo, lauded Ike’s immense contributions to the growth of the Church, particularly in the training of priests and the execution of key development projects.
He described the celebrant as a model of humility and dedication to God’s service.
Responding, Monsignor Ike appreciated Governor Mbah for attending the Thanksgiving Mass and for his administration’s strides in transforming Enugu State.
Ike lauded the governor for leading by example and pointed to ongoing infrastructural and developmental transformation as evidence of purposeful leadership.
