Shaibu Condoles With ArchBishop Akubeze Over Ekpu’s Passing

By Towncriernews

Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Phillip Shaibu on Tuesday condoled with the  Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Most Reverend Augustine.Obiora Akubeze over the passing of Emeritus Archbishop of Benin City Archdiocese, Patrick Ebosele Ekpu. 

Shaibu who described the late Ekpu as an accomplished man of God, paid a glowing tributes in memory of the late ArchBishop, saying his contributions to the Catholic Church in Edo State and Nigeria is worthy of celebration.

He said under Ekpu was instrumental to the establishment of Catholic dioceses, schools and hospital within the Benin Metropolitan See.

Shaibu who was accompanied on the visit by some of his staff said,  “As a Catholic we all know the history of late ArchBishop Patrick Ekpu Ebosele. I grew up to know him, he was an accomplished ArchBishop. Under his watch, we saw the creation of dioceses. 

He was also instrumental to the establishment of Lumen Christen Catholic College, Brother Pius Primary School and St. Philomema Catholic Hospital among others.

“We are celebrating him because we can physically see how he impacted the Catholic Church and the Country. Even though we are saddened, we are celebrating his longevity and his accomplishment while on earth. It is customary not just as a deputy governor but as a Catholic to pay our condolences to mourn and celebrate him and his life at 92. 

The Catholic Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze who received the deputy governor at his Bishop’s Court, thanked him for the visit and noted that Ekpu until his death was the oldest Bishop in Nigeria.

“We thank God for giving him to us and using him to be a blessing to Auchi and Uromi diocese. We pray that God will give us the grace and wherewithal to give him a befitting burial, Akubeze said.