As a mark of honor to the first Bishop and Archbishop of the mainstream Christian denomination of Asaba extraction and remarkably a highly Asabacentric personality, the Asaba Development Union (ADU) worldwide, hosted him and his beloved wife, Joyce, to a reception in Asaba.
In his address on the occasion, the President-General of ADU (worldwide) and Okilolo of Asaba, Chief (Prof) Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said the celebration of the Archbishop, Bishop Emeritus, was predicated on eulogizing a great son of the land and presenting him as a role model and reference point to the younger generation desperately in need of motivators and influencers.
Prof Azinge noted that noting less was good enough for a man who traversed the world, attained enviable heights and achieved accolades of matchless significance, describing the retired Bishop as an Asaba son of superlative accomplishments and distinction, a renowned shepherd of the flock and a voice of the voiceless, known for speaking truth to power.
While congratulating him for an enduring and endearing service in the Lord’s vineyard, characterized by an eventful, successful, glorious and trailblazing sojourn, the ADU PG paid tribute to the late Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien, whom he said was a great friend and admirer of Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev (Prof) Emmanuel Chukwumah.
Responding, the retired Bishop said he was proud to be an Asaba man and thanked the Asaba Development Union (ADU) for welcoming him back home after several years of meritorious service to God and humanity.
Most Rev Chukwumah noted that the Asaba community had been greatly urbanized, with obvious implications on the socioeconomic life of the people and called on ADU and the traditional institution to work together to bring about reforms to certain cultures of the land, especially title taking, so as to engender respect for tradition.
The highlights of the event were the decoration of the Bishop Emeritus and his wife, Joyce, with the traditional Akwa Ocha and the presentation of plaques to them.
