By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Most Reverend Father Isaac Bunde Dugu has been appointment Bishop-Elect of Katsina – Ala Catholic Diocese, Benue state by the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

The appointment of Father Dugu was made known Saturday in a congratulatory massage to the Priest by Governor Samuel Ortom in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur.

Bishop Dugu who was appointed on Saturday, April 9, 2022 succeeds Bishop Peter Adoboh who died on February 14, 2020.

Governor Ortom in the congratulatory message described the new Bishop as a true servant of God who had worked tirelessly to propagate the gospel and winning of souls for God.

He noted that the appointment of the new Bishop for the Diocese was coming at a time the state government in collaboration with the Catholic Church and the traditional institution in the area “are succeeding in winning the war against militia gangs in the Sankera axis of the state.”

The Governor tasked the new Bishop to hit the ground running with renewed vigor in order to help strengthen the successes recorded so far so that absolute peace would return to the area.

The Governor said: “Your appointment at this time is timely. It is a welcome development at a time the people of Sankera are in dire need of salvation amidst growing misdemeanors and violent crimes by many citizens.

“I am optimistic that your tenure as Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese will usher in peace in the area. It will also be an era of positive revolution in the vineyard to help save the world that is now violent prone.”

The Governor pledged the continued cooperation of the state government and partnership with the clergy across the divide “in our avowed commitment to ensure a better and safer Benue state and Nigeria.”

Until his appointment, Reverend Dugu was the Director of the Pastoral Agents Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.