St Barnabas Church Omagba marks 20 years anniversary
..Bishop Nwokolo, Anyaenetu, Egbobe, Others receive awards
By Uzo Ugwunze
Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, Former Anambra State Speaker, Rt. Hon Sir. Emeka Anyanaetu, Former Chairman, Idemili South, Chief Sir. Edwin Egbobe and others have received service awards as St Barnabas Parish, Omagba Phase 2, Onitsha celebrated her 20th parish anniversary.
Other Awards recipients include Nigerian Breweries Plc Mega Distributor Sir Nathan Ofoma KSC, UN Mayor for World Peace, Chief Sir Azubuike Umunna(MP), Dame Ngozi Nzeka, Dame Nwanneka Ijezie, Sir Adolphus Ifeka, Lady V. C Orji, Lady Patricia Umeokoro, Dr. Osita Igweanazor, Engr. Benjamin Okafor and Mr. Sam Obijuru the Choirmaster.
In his remarks, Bishop Nwokolo thanked the parish for recognizing his efforts towards planting St Barnabas Church Omagba on May 23, 1999 when he was a Suprerintendent at St. Marks Anglican Church, Omagba.
“St Barnabas church Omagba is one of the fastest growing churches and the fastest to become a parish in this Diocese on the Niger because of the parishioners’ absolute trust in God, love, unity and cooperation,” the prelate said.
An awardee, the former Anambra Speaker and pioneer Parish Harvest Chairman, Rt Hon Sir Emeka Anyaenetu reiterated that the church was planted middle of 1999 but was made a full parish by 2002. “It is an act of God and our trust in God. Our visionary Bishop Nwokolo, then a Rev. Canon made it possible.
According to the Chairman Organizing committee who was also an awardee, Chief Sir Edwin Egbobe, St Barnabas Omagba has achieved a lot today because of unity of purpose, love for ourselves and for God’s work and an act of God.
“We do not call for launching or fundraising in this church. If any project comes up people start making donations voluntarily without compulsion. You will just come to church and see bags of cement, rods, trips or stones and sand donated by brethren.
” Our parsonage was built within six months and as we were dedicating it, the foundation stone of this cathedral was being laid same day. Pillars of this church like Sir Nathan Ofoma among others and with humility some of us has offered our services to the glory of God”, they said.
Moreso, the subcommittee Chairman Publicity/Sensitization, Mrs Ngozi Onwuka after appreciating God for a successful anniversary eulogized the contributions of Bishop Nwokolo, past and present parish priests and all the other awardees who contributed immensely to the spiritual, numerical and structural growth of the church.
The Parish priest, Rev. Maduka Nnabuike encouraged leaders to promote good stewardship and faithfulness saying that the awardees were given ‘Service awards’ for contributing their resources and properly managing the resources entrusted into their care.
Meanwhile, the Archdeacon, Omagba archdeaconry, Ven. Elochukwu Ojukwu prayed that St Barnabas Anglican Church,Omagba will live to celebrate Silver, Golden and Centenary anniversary urging the parishioners to keep relying on God for more exploits in the vineyard including gospel preaching and soul winning.
Pics: St Barnabas Omagba Parish priest, Rev. Maduka Nnabuike and the 20 years anniversary celebration Chairman, Chief Hon Sir Edwin Egbobe during the anniversary at Omagba Anambra State.
