By Our Correspondent
Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo has said that he has every reason to be grateful to God for blessing him immensely in every sphere of life he had been involved in.
The former Labour Party chieftain, who spoke during a thanksgiving Mass to mark his 55th birthday at St Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area of Anambra State, added that despite his humble beginning, he has been richly blessed.
Ozigbo, who is still contesting the outcome of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State in court, said he knows that God has not finished with him, noting that he will continue to serve God and humanity.
He said: “I’m here to thank God for what he has done for me in the past 55 years. Today is not an accident, but a design. Sometimes I wonder why my mother gave me the name Chineto (God glorifies).
“From the day I was born, God knew what he wants to do with me. My early days were not rosy, but by God’s design, I am what I am today.
“Where will I begin to glorify God? Is it what he did for me at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I was the best graduating student in my faculty, or during my two Masters degree programmes where I made distinction?
“In the banking industry, God still did it for me and at Transcorps, he guided me to be one of the most celebrated CEO in the world. I therefore want everyone to thank God for me.”
Delivering the homily at the Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, urged Ozigbo to continue doing for people what God has directed him to do.
“We give thanks to God for his grace over your life in the past 55 years. By His grace, many things will still happen in your life . We pray that you will continue to be a source of blessing to others.
“In the church, you have done so much at the parish and diocesan levels. You have also done so in Lagos and Abuja and we ask God to bless you”, the Bishop said..
He also prayed for Ozigbo’s success in his political career so that Nigerians will benefit from his benevolence.
“You are into politics and we pray that God will reward you as a politician because when you occupy a political position, the state and the country will benefit immensely. It’s good that someone like you who wants to govern Anambra State is a good Christian. If one political door closes, another one will open for you and in the end, God will do it for you”, the Cardinal prayed..
He, however, reminded Ozigbo that nobody is perfect in the sight of God and he should not cease to continue doing good to mankind, irrespective of obstacles on the way.
No fewer than 50 priests, including the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Jonas Benson Okoye, joined Cardinal Okpaleke in celebrating the Mass.
The celebration attracted dignitaries from within and outside the country, including traditional rulers, politicians, captains of industry.
