The Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu has congratulated the newly apointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Church, The Most Rev. Fr. Michael Kalu Ukpong.

The Deputy Speaker gave the congratulatory speech yesterday during the Home Coming Reception organized by the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and the Amaekpu Community in honour of Rev. Fr. Ukpong.

He described the Catholic Priest as a true servant of God who has been working tirelessly in the Lord’s vineyard for many years. He prayed to God to continue to uphold and strengthen His servant as he continues to serve God and mankind.

The Most Rev. Michael Kalu Ukpong hails from Amaekpu Community in Ohafia and was on May 30th appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Umuahia Diocese of the Catholic by the Pope.

He is the first Amaekpu/Ohafia Catholic Priest and one of the few Umuahia Indigenous Monsignors of the Catholic Church.

He was yesterday recieved by his home parish (St. Anthony Catholic) and members of his community.

The reception ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, the Executive Chairman of Isuikwuato LGA, Chief Chima Agbaeze, Chief Emmanuel Onwuchekwa (Executive Chairman of Bende LGA), Clergymen, Traditional Rulers and the Catholic Church Community.