Jonathan Appoints Two Cross Riverians on Delegation to Bishop of Canterbury Inauguration

by crossriverwatch admin

Boki born businessman and politician, Emmanuel Tawo and Ambassador Maurice Ekpang have both been nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan to be part of the country’s high power delegation to witness the enthronement of Rt. Rev. Justin Welby as the 105th Arch bishop of Canterbury on March 21, 2013.

The delegation which is expected to leave the country for London, March 20 also has the Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Godswill Akpabio and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy Opara.

Reacting, Emmanuel Tawo commended the federal government for deeming it necessary to send a delegation to London to honor Bishop Welby who according to him has been deeply involved in peace and reconciliation works not only in the Niger Delta but also in Northern Nigeria.

He described the Archbishop designate as one who knows personally and firsthand, the challenges of Africa and particularly Nigeria and had made more than 40 visits to the country in efforts to contribute to the stability and development of the country.

He told crossriverwatch in Abuja that: “Not only is the Canterbury the head of the Anglican Church globally and provides leadership and moral values for the Anglican faith, it is also known to exert significant political influence in the international community by projecting and highlighting humanitarian conditions around the world.

“ But more importantly because the Canterbury can sway governments of developed nations to help ameliorate the plight of the less developed nations, it is very critical that Nigeria identified strongly with the Canterbury to further
strengthen ties and advance relations expectedly in the interest of the country”. He added.

Tawo who is also an aide to the National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, submitted that Bishop Welby’s enthronement as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury was good news for Nigeria and Africa, observing also that even the prestigious Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) recognizes the importance of the role the archbishop designate plays and would continue to play on behalf of Nigeria and Africa in general in foreign relations and interventions.

He reiterated that it was only deserving that the country recognized and honored Bishop Welby who many describe as a friend of Nigeria by being part of the historic event in London not only as a concerned and enthusiastic nation with a large congregation of Anglicans but to also show solidarity and support for Archbishop Welby’s tenure at the Canterbury.