Oborevwori Congratulates Ewherido, Anamali on 40 Years of Priesthood

The Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, and the diocese’s Judicial Vicar, Very Rev. Fr. Ogochukwu Anamali, have been congratulated by Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on 40 years of priestly ordination.

The Mass, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri, drew Catholic faithful, fellow priests, traditional rulers and other dignitaries, and the governor joined them in celebrating the clerics’ four decades of service to God and humanity.

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Oborevwori described the anniversary as an important milestone and praised the celebrants for their sacrifices, dedication and contributions to the spiritual and social development of society.

Oborevwori expressed happiness at taking part in the celebration and referred to his long association with Bishop Ewherido, whom he has known for many years.

He observed that the two priests had remained close friends across the decades and shared the same ordination day, which he said added to the significance of the anniversary.

Oborevwori spoke of the pressures and difficulties of priestly ministry, noting that service to God and humanity demanded commitment, perseverance and unwavering faith.

He cited the lives the celebrants had touched, marriages they had helped restore, lives they had helped save and the hope they had given individuals and families through pastoral work as evidence of their ministry’s impact.

On Bishop Ewherido specifically, Oborevwori described him as a principled and focused personality who might not speak much but was deeply committed to his responsibilities.

Oborevwori also credited the bishop with helping Warri’s development, recalling that he had helped secure government approval for the Oleri Road project and that construction of the NPA Road was continuing.

He added that the NPA-to-DECO Road project was still going through the award process and that Julius Berger was expected to carry out the construction.

Very Rev. Fr. Peter Igolo, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, used a homily titled “Faithful Ministry” to describe a priest as a living image of Jesus Christ, tasked with shepherding and caring for God’s people.

Father Igolo explained that the number 40 carried biblical meaning linked to spiritual preparation, refinement and transformation, and he said the anniversary gave an opportunity to consider how deep the commitment to a fruitful ministry must be.

Bishop Ewherido and Father Anamali spoke separately, thanking Governor Oborevwori, bishops, priests, traditional rulers, other government officials and the dignitaries who attended; they described the presence of the guests as a source of encouragement and joy.