Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifiru, on Saturday, July 6, 2024, presented car gifts to 14 newly ordained priests during ordination at St. Theresa’s catholic cathedral of Abakaliki.
The cars presented to the priests were the Trumpchi (GAC GS4), a compact sedan produced by GAC Group under the Trumchi brand, each costing about N11 – 25 million (depending on production year).
At the ordination, Governor Nwifiru presented the cars to assist them in the work of God at Abakaliki Diocese. However, citizens have alleged that the priests paid N1 million each for fueling the vehicle, sparking a mixed reaction to the governor’s gesture.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time the governor has donated cars to priests ordained by the church. On July 8, 2023, Governor Nwifiru donated five brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to some ordained Priests, namely Rev. Frs. Onyia Chidiebere; Mbamini Lawrence; Ogbonna Williams; Nwokpuru Kingsley and Eze Fidelis, by His Lordship, Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.
This was disclosed by Governor Nwifiru’s media aide, Leo Ekene Oketa, who posted on Facebook, stating, “In his usual philanthropic manner and felicitations to the newly ordained, the governor donated five brand new cars, befitting for the fine new priests to assist them in the work of God in Abakaliki Diocese.”
Following the donations, West Africa Weekly contacted Oketa for comment; as of press time, he has yet to respond.
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