By Charles Adingupu
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other Nigerians in mourning the death of renowned former Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang at the age of 86.
President Buhari said in a condolence message signed by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, that he was deeply saddened by the death and commiserated with all members of the Methodist Church Nigeria and diaspora.
The President also extended his condolences to the entire Mbang family, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State and the entire body of Christ in Nigeria and the world at large.
Buhari who described the late Prelate as a spiritual colossus recognized even beyond the shores of his fatherland, noted that Dr. Mbang served as the longest leader of Methodist Church Nigeria, the first Methodist to emerge as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the first black President of World Methodist Council, among other pioneering postings.
The President stated that Dr. Mbang in his six decades of service to God and humanity, exemplified courage, forthrightness, wisdom, intellectualism and selflessness.
The President also noted that having retired as Prelate in 2006, Dr. Mbang remains an inevitable voice of reason and source of encouragement to many persons within and outside government.
The President, however, enjoined all mourning the eminent statesman and spiritual icon to take solace in the knowledge that he lived a life worthy of emulation.
