SOLUDO HOSTS PAPAL NUNCIO TO NIGERIA, HONOURS LEGACY OF EARLY MISSIONARIES

L-R Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, Papa Nuncio to Nigeria and Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) Executive Governor of Anambara State

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has commended the sacrifices of Irish priests and missionaries who brought the gospel to Nigeria, acknowledging their profound and lasting impact.

Governor Soludo made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on Friday, November 22, 2024.

In his address, Governor Soludo highlighted the contributions of early missionaries, noting that they not only spread the gospel but also laid the foundation for education, healthcare, and other critical sectors in Nigeria.

He emphasized that the growth of Catholic schools today is a testament to the solid foundation established by the Irish priests many years ago.

Expressing appreciation for the warm reception, Archbishop Crotty shared his admiration for the strong bond between Irish missionaries and the Nigerian people. He explained that he was passing through Anambra State and deemed it fitting to pay a courtesy call on the governor.

The courtesy visit also witnessed the presence of prominent clergy, including the Archbishop of Onitsha Province, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese,Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, among others.

Governor Soludo’s acknowledgment of the missionaries’ enduring legacy highlights their pivotal role in shaping key aspects of Nigerian society.