… Bishop Ezeokafor Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on Candidates, Lays Foundation Stone of New Azudo Pri Sch, Podium
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
As part of the liturgical and canonical obligation of the Church to strengthen the community’s Christian faith, evaluate pastoral work, encourage spiritual uplift, and inspect administrative records, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Sunday, 30th August, 2026, paid a pastoral visit to St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida, and to the Ichida Catholic Community, to mark the 25th Year Anniversary of the parish.
The event witnessed the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on young ones.
In his tribute, the Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwankwo, appreciated Bishop Ezeokafor for ‘squeezing out his time to grace the occasion, in spite of his very tight schedule.’
The Parish Priest, who pledged the loyalty of the entire parishioners to the Bishop, prayed God to grant him long life, good health, and more wisdom to continue to shepherd the flock.
‘It is a dream come true for the priests, myself, the Manager of Azudo Primary School, and St. Augustine’s Secondary School, Reverend Father Gerald Onwumelu, the entire parishioners of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State as the Chief Shepherd pays a pastoral visit to the parish. We are happy,’ he concluded.
Speaking during the event, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Candidate for Anambra State House of Assembly, Anaocha II Constituency, Hon. Ikeobi Ejiofor (Ike Anaocha), welcomed Bishop Ezeokafor and charged the congregation to understand that righteousness was not a status earned through human effort or good work, but a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Delivering his speech as a guest of honour, Ike Anaocha maintained that a Church’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary marked 25 years of continuous ministry, community service, and God’s faithfulness, adding that the Church, through the strength of the Lord, had fulfilled the great commission in their lifetime by building strong and biblical people that would shine as light in the midst of darkness.
‘The Church shall continue to rise in its apostolic responsibility to surmount every challenge to humanity and build a formidable foundation of love and unity in society. Also, the Church, as a paramount stakeholder, shall continue to partner with the government in reshaping the very essence of true, credible, and results-oriented leadership,’ he concluded.
Laying of foundation stone of the new Azudo Primary School and the podium; cutting of jubilee cake; planting of jubilee tree; group photographs, speeches, interactions, and homage to the Bishop formed highlights of the occasion.
