By Michael Nnebife
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commissioned 26 lockup shops of one-storey building at Adazi-Ani in Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, constructed by St Peter’s Parish, Adazi-Ani, for the advancement of people’s lives in the area.
The Catholic Bishop, who was on a pastoral visit to the Parish, also blessed a gigantic victory Cross of Jesus Christ erected behind its church building for the spiritual need of the worshippers in the area.
Earlier in a homily during a Holy Mass concluding the episcopal visit, which took place on Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025, Bishop Ezeokafor admonished the Adazi-Ani people to preach the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ through their lifestyles.
Ezeokafor, who reiterated that Christ had brought what he called objective redemption to mankind, enjoined the people to strive to work out their personal salvation through their services to God and humanity here on earth for an eternal life in heaven.
The Chief Shepherd of Awka Diocese, who, during the epoch-making event, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 174 candidates, expressed satisfaction with both the spiritual and infrastructural developments of the Parish.
He thanked the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Lawrence Onwuaso; his Vicar, Rev Fr Paul Akabogu; and the entire parishioners, for their various services and contributions.
Responding, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Onwuaso, expressed gratitude to the Bishop for the fatherly love and care the Parish enjoyed from him.
In an interview with Fides, Fr Onwuaso further expressed delight and gratitude to God for making the planning for the episcopal visit, which he described as overdue, come to reality.
On the gigantic lockup shops, Onwuaso said, ‘Whatever we see ourselves doing, is for the advancement of lives.’
He advised the people that will use the shops to be diligent in using whatever gain they would get from making use of the shops to feed their families, and support other people around them and the Church.
The Priest further admonished the would-be beneficiaries to endeavour to make the shops a stepping stone to a higher level in their lives.
In an address of welcome read by their Catechist, Emma Chijimbe, during a reception, St Peter’s parishioners expressed joy and appreciation to God for what they described as all-round development, especially in spirituality, infrastructure and academic, their Parish witnessed in the past six years and counting.
They thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for his achievements and service to the Diocese, especially the establishment of Peter University.
Speaking with Fides, the Executive Chairman, Anaocha LGA, Hon Romanus Ibekwe, and the member representing Anaocha State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Nkechi Ogbuefi, described Bishop Ezeokafor’s visit to Adazi-Ani as historic in the Catholic Faith in Anaocha LGA, noting that the number of the newly confirmed was a clear indication that Christianity continued to occupy its domineering position in the area.
While appreciating the Bishop for his episcopal blessings their subjects had received, the Anaocha Mayor and the lawmaker expressed readiness to continue to support the Church in converting souls for Christ.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Dean of Neni Deanery, Rev Fr Henry Ezeobi; the President General of Adazi-Ani, Prof Obikwelu Okonkwo; among many other Catholic priests, religious; and who’s who in Adazi-Ani Community, graced the event.
Entertainments by the Parish’s Nkwa Music Group, CWO Band, among others, added glamour to the epoch-making event chaired by Chief Sir J. C. Onwuazo.
