Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Methodist Prelate, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Mbang as a deeply pious man, a true critic and fearless activist in pursuit of the common good for the society.
Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi in a statement on Thursday, stated that the former President received the news of Mbang while in Malta in the early hours of the day, declaring it as a colossal loss personally to him and generally for the country.
Reacting to the death, Obasanjo said that, “his death, no doubt, is a colossal loss to me personally. I didn’t know he would soon leave us and depart to the great beyond as he was looking relatively well when last I visited him in Uyo on May 2, 2023,” he disclosed.
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Obasanjo also said, he knew Mbang “as a fearless soldier of Christ, winning souls for the Kingdom and despite having had a sprinkle of disagreements based on principles along the way, we often ended up agreeing to agree and this has strengthened our friendship and brotherliness in Christ and enhanced my personal respect for him and what he stood for.”
“Dr. Mbang was a strong advocate for justice for the vulnerable, a sharp constructive critic of Nigeria’s political economy, a model and an example for Christians all over the world.
“The priestly upbringing of young Sunday and his siblings by his pastor father, a disciplinarian, and his homely mother underpinned equipping him with the WORD OF GOD early in life and which stood him in good stead throughout his life and in service of God and man.
Obasanjo added that, Mbang was known to have often demonstrated faith in the oneness and greatness of our dear nation, Nigeria, saying, “I savoured his prayerful support for my administration and he worked together with me in his capacity as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to complete the National Christian Centre, which is one of our national monuments preserved and maintained for this generation and for generations yet unborn.
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“As one well known for his ardent desire for our dear country to become a value-based society, not to mention his status as a highly respected Church leader, it is not surprising that he lent his full weight to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The former President who is expected in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state later today, to commiserate with the people and government of the state, condoled all the members of Mbang’s family “and the rest of us, his friends.
“Dr. Mbang’s departure should not be mourned but his life should be celebrated for the noble mission which he started and strengthened until his death for spreading peace and reconciliation across the increasingly bitter Christian/Muslim divide in Nigeria and the world.
“I am certain that his departure has posed us a challenge to continue from where he stopped so we can continue to build peaceful societies and remain partners in building unity and partnerships within our country, Africa and the world at large.
May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace,” Obasanjo said.