Orji Pays Tribute To Archbishop Uwadi

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, has paid glowing tribute to the late Archbishop of the Umuahia Diocese of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Rogers Uwadi, saying that the archbishop would be greatly missed.

Speaking at the commendation service of the archbishop at Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia on Friday, Orji said that Uwadi “was very dear to us because of what he did while he was alive. “

According to him, Uwadi played a strategic role at two critical moments of his political career.

He said that the archbishop was the first person he visited during his consultations with eminent people in the state before he joined the governorship race in 2007.

The governor, who revealed that he visited Uwadi, along with his wife, Odochi, to seek his advice, said that the archbishop immediately prayed for them and encouraged him to go ahead.

“When I told him why we came, he did not say anything but took us into his chapel, prayed for me and encouraged me to go ahead and I contested the election and won,” he said.

He said that he also ran to Uwadi for counselling when he defected from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

Orji said that he faced the “worst confusion of his life” when he was faced with the challenge to defect again from APGA to the Peoples’ Democratic Party. “ He said that Uwadi haboured some fears about the move and “advised me to think twice” because of the uncertainties in the nation’s polity.

In his sermon, Makinde urged Nigerians to emulate Uwadi’s virtues, saying  that “he never insulted those in authority” but “was known for his respect for people in authority.

In a brief oration, the President of the Christain Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, described Uwadi as an active member of the association, adding that he made meaningful contribution toward its growth.

In the family tribute, Uwadi’s first son, Oinna, described the father as “a pastor and minister of God, truly committed to evangelism and pastoral care in the Lord’s vineyard.

He said that his father had a motto: “Service above self”, adding that he served the church, Nigeria and the world in various capacities, “with great capacity and versatility.