Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has sent a message of felicitations to the Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Reverend William Avenya, on his 67th birthday.
According to his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, the Governor in a goodwill message to the Bishop, described him as a distinguished servant of God and a gift to humanity and the Church.
He noted the Clergyman’s immeasurable contributions and interventions that had brought peace and unity among the various ethnic and religious groups in the state.
The Governor showered encomiums on the Bishop for promoting evangelism and community service to the state, thus bringing people closer to God, adding that “such efforts have yielded positive results because many who were going astray and entangled in anti social behaviours finds solace and redemption.”
He also appreciated the contributions of the church to the development of the state, saying that such partnerships had paid off tremendously since “both the government and the Church complements each other to serve the people.”
The Governor noted the challenges the church was facing in the midst of security threats by Fulani terrorists and urged them not to be deterred but be resolute to serve God and humanity no matter the odds.
Ortom said he believed that with the resolve of government and the cooperation of the people especially the church, the days of the terrorists were numbered.
He prayed that God would grant the Bishop Avebya good health, wisdom, peace and courage in the service to God and humanity in the years ahead.
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