History was made, as the Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South built and dedicated a cathedral within a record time of three years, against the age-long belief that the building of the church is never ending. The 13-year-old Isiala Ngwa South Diocese came into existence as a missionary diocese, which should derive its ecclesiastical nourishment from statutorily developed dioceses, began its autonomy like a suckling baby without a mother, yet survived the hurdles of growth and development to its present state.
Upon inauguration in 2007 by Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola, the Rt. Rev Isaac Chijioke Nwaobia and his wife, Hope, took the bull by its horn and turned the old and dilapidating St Peters Church, Owerrinta, into a Cathedral to the envy of many.
The assignment began with a functional business centre within their first 100 days in office; a Diocesan Secretariat within the first four years; a Bishops Court; the DINS Academy Mkpuka, the Bishop Iwuagwu Conference Hall; the Diocesan Conference Centre; and the Anglican College, Owerrinta. As if these were not a fulfilment of purpose, the Bishop pulled down the old St. Peters Church in October 2016 and inaugurated a building committee in January 2017, and with faith in Christ, the building was dedicated three years later. This was in the 10th year of its consecration.
Against prevailing situation in the history of Church building, nay, Cathedral in this part of the world, St Peters Cathedral is a dream come true; built, completed and dedicated within three years. This great event was a feat done by a vessel of honour in the hands of the Almighty God, The Most Rev. Isaac Chijioke and Hope Njideka Nwaobia.
January 8 was an epoch-making day, when the Primate of all Nigeria, The Most Rev Henry C. Ndukuba, in the company of the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lamido and almost all Bishops of the Church visited Owerrinta and dedicated the ultra-modern St Peters Cathedral.
In his message, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev Henry Ndukuba charged Christians to imitate Christ by living a sacrificial life. Jesus, he said, is a demonstration of God’s prerogative of mercy granted unto man, by which our sin was nailed upon the cross.
The Primate identified the building as a product of grace and God’s mercy, praying that it would from the day of dedication become a mountain of restoration.
The grand occasion was witnessed by who’s who in Abia, Imo and other states. Standing tall in the crowd was the deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku.
The dedication ended with the presentation of the Deed and unveiling of the dedication Plaque to the glory of God.
• The Rev. Canon Ugo E’Carey Romanus is the Director of Communications, Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South.
SOURCE:guardian.ng
