By Egbe Attah
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has promised to continue to do things that will promote the growth of the church in the state.
Governor Ortom, made the pledge on Friday at the enthronement of the Rt Revd Benjamin Ameh Enwuchola, as the new Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Otukpo, held at the Cathedral Church of St John, Otukpo Benue State.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Joseph Odaudu, Ortom thanked the Anglican Church for their contributions to the development of the state.
He congratulated the new Bishop, the clergy and the Anglican faithful in Benue South, stressing that the enthronement of the Rt Revd Enwuchola would bring revival to Idomaland and indeed Benue State.
Also speaking, a former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, extolled the cordial relationship between the Idoma and the Igala, adding that, with the installation of an Igala son as Anglican Bishop of Otukpo that relationship would be further strengthened.
Speaking, District Head of Otukpo, Dr John Eimonye, said the day was not only remarkable to the Anglican congregation in the area but to the Otukpo kingdom, stressing that Otukpo was poised to witness revival with the coming of Revd Ameh.
“We the people of Otukpo are ready to promote the spread of the gospel in this land and we assure the church of our total cooperation at all times,” he said.
Speaking, after his enthronement, the celebrant, the Rt Revd Enwuchola, thanked all those who made his selection and installation a reality, especially, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba.
He further thanked Sen Tunde Ogbeha and Sen Mark and others for gracing the occasion.
The cleric, who traced his journey from his village to Kaduna and through many other routes to Abuja and to Otukpo said his enthronement as Otukpo Bishop is homecoming for him. “I pledge to discharge my duties with the best of my ability and I call on you to support me with your prayers,” he stressed.
The enthronement was performed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) the Most Revd Ndukuba, represented by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lafia, the Rt Revd David Robinson Adeyi.
The new bishop was installed to replace Bishop David Bello, who retired sometime early this year and is the 3rd man to head the diocese since its creation in 1996.