By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6 election in Anambra state, Chief Valentine Ozigbo, has declared that his dream for the state, is bigger than himself and all.

Ozigbo, stated this in his speech during the Catholic Bishops’ Conference held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Enugu State.

He also promised to partner with the church to uplift the state in key areas of the education and healthcare sectors.

Chief Ozigbo said “The church has a significant role to play in shaping the way politicians behave and by so doing, shape the politics of the country. Catholics and indeed all Christians who are politicians must, therefore, strive to ensure that values which form the doctrines and traditions of the church are reflected in their leadership for the good of all.”

According to him, “I came into politics because I believe I am led to serve my people. That is all, there is to my race for the governorship. I have a dream bigger than me or anyone person, and it is the dream to bring a real and positive transformation to Ndi Anambra.”

“I pledge to work with the church on programs in healthcare and education which benefit all people in the society whether they are Catholics or not. That spirit of inclusiveness will permeate my government if I am elected,” Ozigbo declared.

Among the notable politicians who attended the event include the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; a former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi; ex President-general of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; a former Aviation Minister, Mrs. Fidelia Njenze; the interim president, Old Catholic Seminarians of Nigeria, Ambrose Obiora; and the state chairman of the PDP in Kaduna, Felix Hassan, and several others.

The president of the Bishop Conference, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, called on politicians to remain good ambassadors of the Church by “playing politics of principle, ideology, and with fear of God”.

In his speech, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze reminded the attendees that the 2019 Catholic manual is a guide for politicians and other professionals.

He said that the document was produced to shape the minds of Catholic and other politicians and impact a culture of values in service. He exhorted politicians of all denominations and faith to ensure that the masses feel their impact in politics by following the tenets and teachings in the manual.

Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, also spoke on the topic, “Are we politicians who are Catholics or are we Catholics who are politicians?”

Kukah maintained that it was a paradox for a Catholic politician to not be equipped with the values and moral virtues that define Catholicism.

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The Bishops commended former Governor Obi for the bold steps he took in returning mission schools to the church during his tenure as Anambra State Governor. They urged other governors to follow in line with that policy, which positively impacted the quality of public education.

Ozigbo, who has served as Chairman of Unusual Praise, Africa’s largest Catholic gospel concert, also joined the Bishops on Sunday when they held a Vespers/Benediction Service as part of the annual Conference.

At the service, held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Enugu, the Bishops held a prayer session that centered on the advancement of the gospel, progress of the Church, and unity of the country.