…Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on 118 Candidates, Blesses Divine Grace Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, St Martin of Tours Administrative Complex
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Sunday, 4th May, 2025, paid a maiden Pastoral Visit to St Charles Borromeo Chaplaincy, Ngozika Phase II (Light of the Nation) Estate, Awka.
Bishop Ezeokafor during the visit administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 118 candidates, blessed Divine Grace Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, as well as St. Martin of Tours Administrative Complex.
Delivering a homily, Bishop Ezeokafor went down memory lane and recalled how the idea of having St. Charles Borromeo Chaplaincy erected at Ngozika Phase II Estate was mooted. He equally felicitated the fathers who marked their day, stating that without their role, families would be in a shambles.
In an address of welcome signed by Justice Dennis Maduechesi – Vice Chairman; Dr. Ifeoma Onwudiwe – Secretary; and Rev. Fr. Martin Chinwike Akabogu – Chaplain; the trio, on behalf of the parishioners, warmly received the Bishop.
‘We thank the Almighty God and our mother Mary for our dear Chaplaincy. In a special way, we welcome our Bishop, His Lordship, Most Rev. Ezeokafor, to Charles Borromeo Catholic Chaplaincy, Ngozika Phase II, Awka.
Speaking on the history of the Chaplaincy, entitled “Rising And Shining: Our History”, the Chaplain, Reverend Fr. Martin Chinwike Akabogu, noted that from the beginning, on February 2019, the ever-pastoral Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Ezeokafor, gave him the directive to go to Ngozika Housing Estate Phase II and establish a station with the name St. Charles Borromeo.
The Charismatic and influential Prelate was welcomed to the Chaplaincy on behalf of the parishioners by the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Martin Chinwike Akabogu.
Those who accompanied the Bishop to the maiden visit included the Chancellor of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Bishop’s Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Bishop’s Assistant Secretary and the Deputy Director of Fides Media Limited, Rev. Fr. Constantine Echichechi Okoli; the Manager of St. John of God Secondary School, Awka, Rev. Fr. Malachy Maduewesi, among others.
The occasion was chaired by the former Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, and currently the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Dr. Joe Akabuike, KSM, while the former Chairman of Anaocha Local Government and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency (ASWRMA), Hon. Sir Ikeobi Ejiofor headed the Planning Committee of the Bishop’s maiden visit. The Director CWO, Awka Diocese, Lady Sabina Ngozi Ndigwe served as the Mother of the Day.
Justice Dennis Maduechesi, Vice Chairman Pastoral Council, and one-time Commissioner for Education in the Old Anambra State and the Founder of the Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO), Chief Hon. (Mrs) V.V.I, Okoye and the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, were among those on ground to receive the Local Ordinary.
Administration of Sacrament of Confirmation on 118 candidates, the blessing of the Chapel, and St Martin of Tours Administrative Complex presentation of the newly learned Akwaete dance by the CWO of the chaplaincy, formed the highpoints of the event.
