BENIN CITY – Christians have been told to be humble enough to seek the authority of Christ in matters of faith and personal transformation.
This was disclosed in Benin City yesterday by Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze at the thanksgiving Mass and commissioning ceremony of the Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu Resource Centre, St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
The Resource Centre which was build in honour of the Archbishop Emeritus, P.E. Ekpu was commissioned by Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie. He was supported by the Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze; Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Okojie amongst others.
In his homily, Archbishop Akubeze stressed the essence of prayers and consistent reading of the scriptures in order to comprehensively understand the Word and build a lasting relationship with Christ so that the world can be truly transformed.
He further said that irrespective of intellectual achievements, wealth and position, the children of God should be humble enough to put into practice what they learn from the scriptures so as to be able to give enduring testimonies.
While speaking to over 100 candidates who received the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Mass, Archbishop Akubeze urged them to make themselves available to the Holy Spirit to be able to stand as true soldiers of God in the world.
He told the candidates to remain active and consistently manifest the demands of the Sacrament, just as he task them to continue to defend the Church and sustain their relationship with Christ, irrespective of the challenges of life.
Speaking before the commissioning, Very Rev. Fr. Okojie emphasised that the Resource Centre was named in honour of Most Rev. Dr. P.E. Ekpu in recognition of his valuable pastoral services to God and mankind as well as the Church and the Community.
Fr. Okojie said he was particularly happy that Most Rev. Dr. Ekpu is alife to personally witness the event; and urged Nigerians to learn to honour deserving personalities  while they are still alife and not when they have long departed this earth.
Highlights of the ceremony was the blessing, award, honour and presentation of gifts to some octogenrians in the parish; administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to qualified candidates and the commissioning ceremony of the Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu Resource Centre.