… As Bishop Ezeokafor Pays Pastoral Visit 6 years after, Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on 497 Candidates, Blesses Landscaped Father’s Rectory
By Mmaduabuchi Onuwmelu and Emma Chigozie
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Sunday, 12th October 2025, visited St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, six years after his last visit.
Bishop Ezeokafor, while carrying out his pastoral function, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 497 deserving candidates and also blessed the newly landscaped and beautified Reverend Father’s Rectory.
The Bishop’s visit coincided with the thirty-five years anniversary celebrations of the creation of the Parish.
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor harped on the need for people to always show gratitude to God at all times, emphasizing that some individuals were much more concerned about personal gains and vain glory, saying that many tended to complain always without giving thanks to whom it was due.
‘God cannot be mocked. You must endeavour to thank Him every minute of the day. It is always good to give thanks. Ingratitude is a disease that Christians should avoid. God has done so much for us, but we are not taking notice or doing anything about it. We are always demanding from God without remembering to thank or show gratitude to the things he has done for us. If not for anything else, we are alive. Life is the greatest gift we have from God Almighty. We must count our blessings. Life is the ultimate,’ he said.
The Catholic Prelate reminded Christians that God frowned at those who showed little or no love to themselves, neighbours, and God.
‘If you love me, you must keep my commandments. You cannot claim to love me when you are at loggerheads with your neighbours and relatives. You cannot claim to love me when you are not keeping my commandments. I visited here 6 years ago. I am here again to carry out this important assignment in the life of the Church. A Pastoral visit is supposed to be every three years,’ the Bishop said.
On the issue of the 17-year-old boy who purchased 14,000 hectares of land in Edo State, Bishop Ezeokafor attributed it to the get-rich-quick syndrome, calling on parents to do more on upbringing of their children and desist from aiding and abetting inordinate ambitions and actions.
‘What these children are doing are pure rituals involving human beings. Killing and maiming all in a bid to make money. Shedding blood here and there. They claimed they were going back to their roots, but it is not true. It is no longer neo-paganism. This is not the religion our forebears practiced. They didn’t kill for money or for anything. But now these children are soiling their hands,’ Bishop Ezeokafor stated.
Appreciating the Bishop and his entourage, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Nibo, Reverend Father Christopher, JMC Ezeonu (Agubandieze), expressed happiness at having the Bishop around. He thanked all the pillars of the parish, parishioners, and many others who contributed in one way or the other.
The celebration attracted priests and religious, including the Bishop’s Secretary, Reverend Father Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese Fr Charles Ndubuisi; the Traditional ruler of Nibo, Eze Dr. Ugonwanne; M.C. Ngene (Ezeike Nibo) KSC; JP and his Nise counterpart, Igwe R.N. Iloh (Ise Nise, Royal Father of the Day); political class; community leaders; philanthropists; Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie (Mother of the Day, Nwanyikaibie Global); QueenLady Ngozi Theresa Ekwunife, KSJI, JP (Lady of the day, Board Member Post Primary Schools Service Commission Anambra State); among others.
Awards presentation to deserving individuals, recognitions, speeches, unveiling, and blessing of the newly landscaped, beautified Father’s Rectory formed the high points of the occasion
