…at 50 years, he reflects on his journey to building a Church for his home Parish.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has handed over a magnificent Church building and Parish Priest’s residence to the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki on his 50th birthday anniversary.
The Governor who turned 50 today, presented the keys to the Church for dedication to the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu, amidst a nostalgic story of how the church came to be.
Emmanuel Parish Edupfuachi Agbaja – the home Parish of the Governor was dedicated before a host of priests and the faithful, including top national and state dignitaries.
In his remarks, the Governor extolled the mercies and blessings of God upon his life and family, noting that without God he would have been nowhere near his status today.
“I am very fulfilled and grateful to God Almighty. We came here for harvest thanksgiving and bazaar in 2010 and realized only One thousand five hundred naira (N1500). Many people made promises, bought some items from the church, and never redeemed their pledges.
“During the 2015 harvest and bazaar, I got up to speak and I did not know when I said that I would build this Church alone. I am nothing without God, I was just a bricklayer before being a Member, House of Assembly and Speaker. I never thought of how the money for the Church project would come and to date, I can not say how the money to build this church came.”
Bishop Nworie Chukwu in receiving the key to the Church, thanked God for the gift of Governor Nwifuru and prayed for more strength and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the State.
© Leo Ekene Oketa
