by By Elijah Ugani
The Children of the late Paramount Ruler of Ogoja; Butro Peter Muan Abue (MON) gathered this Sunday, October 26th, at St Columba’s Catholic Church, IDUM MBUBE, to offer a Thanksgiving Mass in honour of their last sibling, Hon Monica Abue, who recently participated in the selection process for COUNCILLORSHIP in Mbube West Ward 1.
Although Monica was not eventually nominated for the position, it was very clear that she won the popular vote, following the resounding jubilation and solidarity during the Thanksgiving Mass.
In a homily during the Mass, the Chief celebrant Rev Fr. Dr. Peter Obele Abue who spoke on the need for Christians to eschew what he called a sin-less mentality, advised Christians to be always learn to ask God for mercy when they sin, and seek reconciliation with neighbors when an offence is committed.
Fr Abue urged political gladiators to learn to play clean politics and to accept defeat when they lost. He praised Monica for accepting to move on with her life after her loss.
Also speaking during the Thanksgiving Mass, Rev Fr. Prof. Jake Otonko, commended the Abue family for their contribution to building the Idum community and enjoined Monica Abue to continue to forge ahead, confident that her perseverance would bring her success.
In a vote of thanks at the end of the Mass, the Head of the Family Prince Joe Aras Abue (KSJI), extolled Monica for her charity towards the less privileged and announced that the family was aiding Monica to “establish a cooperative to empower the poor especially small business owners”.
Prince Aras enjoined all to emulate Monica in her dogged spirit of politics without bitterness and wished her well in her future political ambitions.
In a remarkable ceremony of PRESENTATION after the Mass, Sir Patrick Damian Abue, a US-based member of the family, presented a TOYOTA CORROLLA Salon Car to her junior sister Monica Abue, on behalf of the family.
In his words, “this vehicle is to enable her to continue the good and charitable ventures she has always been known for, so as to be of service to others, as this has always been her wish”.
The Thanksgiving day was concluded in the family compound with a lot of merriment by neighbours, friends, and family members of the Abue family. Everyone wished her well and said special prayers for her.
Speaking with TheLumineNews, Hon Monica Abue, thanked her siblings for the surprised car gift and promised to serve humanity even as they have decided to establish a cooperative to enable her reach the most vulnerable population.
She used the opportunity to thank family members, political supporters, friends and well wishes who have stood by her through out the period of consultation and promised to continue to support her people, as she wished all safe travels back to their various destinations.
