President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese, Anambra State, on his appointment as a Cardinal in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis.
Buhari stated this in a statement signed on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President commended the Pope for finding Bishop Okpaleke a capable individual to be one of the two nominees from Africa.
ALSO READ: Pope wades into ethnic crisis in Catholic Church in Imo
In the statement which reads, “President Buhari congratulated the Nigerian Christian Community on this choice, describing the Cardinal-designate as ably qualified, and that having him in that position will benefit the country.
“The President also commended the commitment of the Catholic Church to the unity, peace, and progress of the Nigerian state. He also highlighted the effort of the Church in combating the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its support and commitment in favour of the poor and most vulnerable members of the society.”
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Bishop Okpaleke becomes the fourth Cardinal from Nigeria, apart from Francis Arinze, Anthony Okogie, and John Onaiyekan.
Okpaleke is one among the 21 new Cardinals Pope Francis announced on May 29 by the Pope.