Three days to his swearing in as the fourth democratically elected Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has been tipped to be hugely successful in his leadership of the state.

Bishop of the Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Ibezim, made the prediction while delivering a pungent sermon at a Special Interdenominational Service held in Awka today, to kick-start a sequence of events in the build-up to Obiano’s inauguration.

Bishop Ibezim prophesied that Chief Obiano’s tenure as governor would be marked by remarkable success because he was chosen by God. Said he: “Obiano is a peculiar person. He was chosen by God. He is not a politician. But I prophesy that he will succeed as a governor!”

The Anglican Bishop compared Obiano’s story with that of Haggai in the Bible, explaining that Haggai was a minor prophet whom God used to change the glory of Israel. He further quoted the Scripture to assure Obiano: “The glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former. Your administration will be greater than anything Anambra has witnessed since inception. Your achievements, exploits, and glory shall be greater than others before you.”

Bishop Ibezim however marshalled out a four-point agenda for the Governor-elect as a pre-condition for success. According to him, if the in-coming governor truly wants to succeed in office, he must first ask God for wisdom to lead, pointing out that “without wisdom, you cannot lead a state as complex as Anambra.”

The Anglican Bishop also advised that the Governor-elect must always have the fear of God and a godly foundation and must be imbued with the virtues of equity and justice in order to have a successful tenure.

The fourth agenda the Anglican prelate set for the Governor-elect is that he must strive to build a stronger Anambra State while placing special emphasis on the need to transform Awka into a fitting state capital. He also assured him of his prayers and the prayers of the church.

Responding to the sermon, Governor-elect Obiano appealed to the congregation to pray for him and for Anambra State.

“I urge you to remember me in your daily prayers,” Chief Obiano stated, pointing out that he was extremely delighted to start his journey into the Government House from the church.

The Governor-elect also thanked the church for the tremendous support he received from it during the last elections. Chief Obiano will be formally inaugurated in an elaborate ceremony planned for Monday, March 17, in Awka.

•Photo shows Anambra Governor-elect Obiano.

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