It was a gathering of Anambra’s Who is Who in politics and Christendom on saturday in th ancient city of Rome. The public consistory of Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome was indeed historic. Okpaleke, who is the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, was installed as Cardinal by Pope Francis on Saturday.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was present showing morale support, alongside the former vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Ahaneku.
Anambra delegates who were at the installation ceremony include Arch Bishop Valerian Okeke, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, Senator Victor Umeh, Chief Victor Oye, Hon. Chris Azubogu, Uche Okafor (Speaker Anambra Assembly), among others.
Other visiting delegates in Rome for the ordination include; Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor (Jezco), HRH Igwe Raphael Okpalaeke (Igwe Amesi Aguata), Aguta Federal Constituency Representative Hopeful under YPP, Hon. Emmanuel NwaMaria Ezeokafor, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chief Ikenna Okafor (Ide Akweze) Comr. Emma Ezeokafor, Chief Linus Ezenkwu, Mrs Chinenye Okonkwo, Chief Barth Nwa Ibe, Chief Emeka Agba (General), Chief Titus Anigbogu, Barr. Patrick Ikwueto SAN, Chief Okeke Ifeanyi Justin, Chief Afam Ezeofor, Hon Nwogbo Chukwuemeka and other notable personalities too numerous to mention. Recall Okpalaeke was rejected as Bishop by some priests and Catholics in Ahiara Diocese before he was finally posted out of Imo State, and later named as the Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Ekwulobia, where he originally hails from.
