Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, on Sunday described the late 14-year-old Vivian Ogu as an example to all Christians in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
Armed robbers had shot the teenager to death after she resisted being raped by them when her family house in Benin City was invaded nearly 10 years ago.
The Pope, represented by Archbishop Guampetno Dal Toso, spoke on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the National Mission Congress of Nigeria in Benin City.
The congress held at the Vivian Ogu Missionary Animation Centre in Benin City is part of the Church’s processes of determining whether to beatify her for sainthood.
“She (Vivian) showed us how we can live our faith without minding the consequences.
“We are here in Nigeria because of the good example of a young woman who gave her life for the fidelity of her faith,” the Pope said.
Speaking also Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said; “You must see the hand of God in this. How many times have we been hearing that armed robbers killed people?
“This is not the first time armed robbers are killing people but this particular case is special.”
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, eulogised the life and times Vivian Ogu, saying her life was worth of emulation.
According to Akubeze, her death was a clarion call for Christians to practise their faith.
