Onaiyekan stood for unity, justice- Lalong

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described the outgoing Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, as a man who stood for unity, justice, reconciliation, accountability and righteousness.

Lalong’s message followed the official retirement of Onaiyekan and the appointment of Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama by Pope Francis as the new Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

The governor, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, also prayed God to grant Onaiyekan good health and more wisdom as he enjoys his retirement.

He described the appointment of Archbishop Kaigama as a higher calling to divine duty which he said followed his impeccable track record of service “in the Lord’s vineyard over many decades.”

He said “the new Archbishop has tremendously contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church in Nigeria and Plateau State in particular where he consistently availed the state his wealth of wisdom and experience especially during difficult moments.”