The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Edo State, has paid a condolence visit to the Benin City Archdiocese of the Catholic Church over the passing of Most Rev. Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, Archbishop Emeritus.
Edo State CAN chairman, Apostle Irekpono Omoike who led other executive members of the association on the visit said the visit became necessary because Most Rev Patrick Ebosele Ekpu was the foremost, pioneer and foundation chairman of CAN, Edo State, and the South South.
He described the late Archbishop Emeritus as one whose character and exemplary leadership qualities impacted lives.
“Although we come at this time with a great sense of loss, we must give glory to God for the exemplary leadership and fruitful life that the late Archbishop lived.
We give thanks and praises to the Almighty God for the Archbishop’s long life; his extraordinary accomplishments; his excellent services to humanity, the Church in Edo State, the South-South Zone, Nigeria and the world at large.
“He has definitely left giant strides in the sands of time. He remains the longest serving chairman of CAN till date. We remember his period of service (as Chairman of CAN and as Catholic Archbishop) as decades of peace, unity and progress in the body of Christ throughout the state, the south-south zone and the nation. He was an exemplary father to all. He was one of the nation’s most respected reverend fathers, leader and archbishop. It is a privilege to build on the great foundations he laid in CAN,” he said.
Also speaking, the former secretary of CAN Edo State, Sir Humphrey Best Iriabe described the late Archbishop Emeritus as a legend who did the work of evangelism with all sense of humility and passion.
Archbishop of Benin City Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, thanked CAN for identifying with the Catholic Church in their time of grief. “The demise of Archbishop Emeritus Ekpu, did not just affect only Benin City Archdiocese, he created all the Archdiocese in Edo. So he will be greatly missed by the Catholic Faith. And not just them, Christians in general will miss him”.
