-Archbishop Okeke pays visit to Our Lady of Assumption parish Ogidi
By Nna Anulumadu
The Ogidi Catholic community was in a jubilant mood on Tuesday, April 22, as an illustrious son of the town, Engr. Emeka Nwabueze (Ajie Okpala Ogidi), built and donated a beautiful church building to the Catholic community. The church building, named St. Peter’s Church Ire, Ogidi, is an outstation of Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Ogidi, where the Chief Shepherd of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, paid a pastoral visit on the same day.
Speaking during the blessing of the church, Archbishop Okeke commended the donor, Engr. Emeka Nwabueze, for his large heart and demonstration of firm faith in God by building a church. He asked God to bless him and his family abundantly.
The prelate also appreciated the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Pharm Alex Onyido (Ezechuamagha), who purchased plots of land for another outstation of the parish, describing him as a monarch with a good heart.
Earlier in an address, the Catholic community eulogized the Archbishop over his accomplishments in the Archdiocese, describing him as a transformative prelate. They also extolled the church donor for his love towards his community by building and donating a church and school. Furthermore, they praised Igwe Pharm Onyido for his great support to the parish.
The Parish Priest, Fr. Aloysius Agba, in his remarks, appreciated the Archbishop for visiting. He lauded the church donor for his good heart and thanked Igwe Onyido for his unflinching support to the parish.
His Royal Majesty Igwe Pharm Alex Onyido, who spoke to Trinitas, commended the donor for the gesture, describing the efforts as part of evangelism to drive away any evil from his town. He also rained accolades on the Parish Priest, Fr. Agba, testifying that his selfless sacrifices had motivated him to acquire land for church building.
The siblings of the donor, High Chief Dr. Ikem Nwabueze and Chief Chidi Nwabueze, in their separate remarks, said they were elated over the symbolic gesture of their elder brother to the church and the community. They described him as a man of good will who has the interest of his community at heart.
The duo urged well-to-do individuals to copy their brother’s style of charity and philanthropy. Other Catholic community members who spoke to the press praised the church donor for his love and magnanimity to their community, describing him as a good man by every definition.
