By Chioma Ndife
The Chief Executive Officer of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, has renovated the priests’ Rectory in his home Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, Neni, Anoacha LGA, Anambra State, in memory of his wife, the late Lolo Evelyn Ifeoma Obianodo.
The newly renovated rectory was blessed on Friday, 11th October, by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, who was assisted by the auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye and Emeritus Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most. Rev. Peter Ebelechukwu Okpaleke.
Fides gathered that Chief Vincent Obianodo accepted to execute the project during the thanksgiving Mass for the successful burial of his late wife, Lolo Evelyn Ifeoma Obianodo. The decision came sequel to what Rev. Fr. Boniface Ezeoke, who was the homilist at the Thanksgiving Mass, said about the priests’ rectory at John’s parish, Neni needing a facelift.
The renovation of the rectory received voluntary financial assistance from the CEO, Oranto Petroleum, Prince Arthur Eze; Bishop Emmanuel Okonkwo; Chief Azubuike from Nnewi, and CEO Citizens Paints, Chief. Sir. Augustine Ibeme, in solidarity with Chief Vincent Obianodo who they came to condole with over the death of his wife.
Blessing the renovated Rectory, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor commended Chief Obianodo, the principal sponsor of the renovated rectory, for making funds available for the project. He emphasized the need for a conducive environment for priests in various parishes, saying it that them to perform optimally in their places of assignment. This was even as he expressed appreciation to those who donated to the project.
Earlier in his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor recalling his days at St. John’s Parish, Neni, and the rectory structure that was in place then, said improvement was needed in all sphere of human life including the spiritual. He disclosed that it was important for Christian faithful to build their faith and life to be like the beautifully finished rectory, noting it was only beautiful souls that see God.
He highlighted the importance of shelter in every individual’s life and explained that the Church’s structures should always standout in every community as they provided landmarks to visitors.
For his part, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye, who blessed the appreciation plaque presented to the project contributors, said the solidarity which the donors showed to their friend, Chief Vincent Obianodo was commendable. He maintained that such solidarity was required for human co-existence as it added value to life.
Handing over the keys of the renovated rectory to the Diocesan Bishop, the CEO of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, disclosed that the renovated rectory project was embarked upon in memory of his late wife and in thanksgiving to God for the impactful life lived by the deceased. He thanked God for the privilege given to him to be among those that made the renovation of the parish rectory possible.
Receiving the keys of the newly renovated rectory, the Dean and Parish Priest of St. John’s Parish, Neni, Rev. Fr. Charles Umeoji, appreciated the various individuals that donated to the project which made the facelift received by the rectory possible. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the late Evelyn Obianodo, in whose memory the renovation was carried out.
The blessing of the renovated rectory attracted some business partners and friends of Chief Vincent Obianodo, priests, parishioners of St. John’s Parish, Neni (both home and abroad), among other Catholic faithful in Neni Community.
