Madekwe’s family disburses Fund for proposed St. Emmanuel’s Anglican Church Urueze

By Uzo Ugwunze, Ojoto

Work is to commence soon at the Proposed ‘St. Emmanuel Anglican Church’ Site, Urueze, Oba as Late Sir. Emmanuel Nwagbo Madekwe’s family has released mobilization fund to the Building Committee.

The multimillion naira bank draft was handed out by the eldest son, Sir Emeka Madekwe (Nnanyelugo Oba) during the outing service/Iyipu akwa of their late father at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Oba.

The family of Late Sir. Emmanuel Madekwe OFR (Odu Oba) who was laid to rest last December, during the burial service pledged to construct a church at Urueze village in memory of their father.

Presenting the draft to the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo ably represented by Venerable David Udoezike of Oba Archdeaconry, Emeka Madekwe urged Christians to continue to pray for peace in Nigeria.

“I feel elated today fulfilling our promise. We are simply toeing the footsteps of our father. He was a man of his word who contributed immensely to the work of God and humanity.

“I am grateful to God. My father kept faith with God, kept his promises and cared for his community. We pray that God will give us strength to at least be like him.

“He was a good man worthy of emulation and immortalization. So, we decided to build a church in the neighboring village Urueze not a cathedral as earlier reported by the press.

“Although, it is the prerogative of the church authority to name the church but we pray it be named after our father’s first name Emmanuel hence ‘St. Emmanuel Anglican Church, Urueze,” said Madekwe.

Ven. Udoezike thanked God for helping the family fulfill such a gigantic vow in such a short period of time praying that God would continue to bless the family of Madekwe both spiritually and financially.

Meanwhile, some family friends and community stakeholders who witnessed the presentation of the bank draft and church building plan during the outing service said that they were not surprised about the gesture.

They include Engr. Augustine Emelobe (Onwa Oba), former Chairman Idemili South, Prince Henry Ezenwa, Chief Okwudiba Anyaora ( Ijele Oba), Chief Sir. Boniface Onyeka (Okom II of Oba) and Amb. Alexander Orakwue (Ochendo Oba).

According to Engr. Augustine Emelobe, Eze Odu Idemili a man who loved God,trustworthy, my mentor and friend would be greatly missed but thank God he left behind very intelligent children who have taken after him.

Prince Ezenwa stated: “It is not unusual about the family to keep their promises especially if you knew their father. Odu Oba was like a son to Igwe Ezeokpoko, a man to be trusted”.

Chief Sir Boniface Onyeka said that a man is known for the things he says and does. “They have started the work and God who knows the heart will reward them”.

“It was unfortunate Odu, their father died when Oba was about making him king because of his numerous contributions towards the development and peace of Oba community,” said Onyeka.

“Odu deserves more. There is nothing done in memory of him by the children including building a church that would be too expensive. I pray they should beware of gossip and continue to live in unity,” said Anyaora.

Moreso, Amb Alexander Orakwue described late Madekwe as a man committed to God, Oba community and humanity praying that God would enable his children complete the church building in memory of their father.

Pics: (left) Sir Emeka Madekwe presenting a bank draft and building plan of the the proposed St Emmanuel Anglican Church, Urueze, Oba to the bishop’s rep and church building committee at St Paul’s Anglican Church Oba.

Pics: family members of Late Chief Sir. Emmanuel Nwagbo Madekwe (Odu Oba) during the outing service at Oba.