President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed happiness over the appointment of Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese of Anambra State, as a Cardinal in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed happiness over the appointment of Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese of Anambra State, as a Cardinal in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis.

In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari commended the Pope for finding a capable Nigerian in the person of Bishop Okpaleke to be one of the two nominees from the African continent.

According to Shehu, President Buhari also congratulated the Nigerian Christian Community on this choice, describing the Cardinal-designate as ably qualified, and that having him in that position will benefit the country.

Bishop Okpaleke becomes the fourth Cardinal from Nigeria.

Others before him are Francis Arinze, Anthony Okogie and John Onaiyekan. He is among the 21 new Cardinals Pope Francis announced on May 29.