Colloquium
By Moses Kolo
Kafanchan (Kaduna) March 14, 2018 (NAN) Late Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese was a true man of God who loved people irrespective of their differences and stood for justice.
Prof. Viola Onwuliri, a former Minister of State for Education said this on Wednesday in Kafanchan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bagobiri, 61, died in the early hours of Tuesday, Feb. 27 in Kaduna after a protracted illness.
Onwuliri in a paper presentation during the colloquium held on Wednesday in Kafanchan said the church must continue to uphold all that the late cleric stood for.
She said he was especially concerned about the cause of the less privileged, orphans and widows.
“The deceased lived everyday as if it were his last; as such, I urge everyone to emulate his humility,” she said.
She encouraged the faithful to also pray for the diocesan Administrator, Rev. Fr. Joseph Biliyock for divine wisdom to run the affairs of the diocese.
Also speaking , the Anglican Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Bishop Markus Dogo, presented a paper titled “Bishop Bagobiri :The bridge and Nation builder–CAN and Ecumenism in perspective “.
He said that the late cleric never relented from speaking the truth to those in power.
Dogo said the late Bishop Bagobiri would not go to the corridors of government to collect bribes.
He would be remembered for his tireless efforts in bringing together religious leaders of various faiths to chart the way forward to achieving peace and stability”.
Also, a former Attorney-General and |Commissioner of Justice in Kaduna State, Mr Mark Jacob spoke on “Bishop Bagobiri and the socio-political development of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria–His CONFAB experience”.
He said that the late Bishop was a man of whose educational prowess made him stand out such that he could speak virtually on any topic.
The lawyer said that Bagobiri was an epitome of truth and always speaking the truth.
He added, “He would never take the back seat and remain silent on the altar of political correctness.
“He was someone who would not keep quiet when the sons and daughters of Southern, Kaduna were being killed,” he said.
NAN reports that the colloquium was attended by clerics, politicians, and people from all works of life. (NAN)
MGK/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada