.. Administers Sacrament of Confirmation on Over 200 Candidates, Commissions St. Gabriel’s Hall
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Following insinuations and side talk by some indigenes of Okpuno, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, that they prefer a hospital to siting of a filling station in Nodu Village, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has urged the people of the community to allot a parcel of land to the church where a modern hospital will be built.
Bishop Ezeokafor made the plea while carrying out his pastoral function at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Okpuno, on Saturday, 5th September, 2026. The Catholic Prelate, during the visit, also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on over two hundred candidates and charged them to be useful to themselves, families, Church, and society at large.
The Bishop presided over the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for the faithful who had completed their preparation, marking an important step in their Christian maturity and commitment.
‘I heard that some of you clamoured for a school or hospital shortly after the commissioning of the CAPAD Filling Station. I am here today to ask you people to allot land to us where we can build a hospital. We have built a school and we will build a hospital if we are given a parcel of land. The filling station is serving the general public, and we need the land to build a hospital,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
‘Ours is development, and we are ready to build a standard hospital if we can get land. We have done a whole lot. This is my parish. I live here with you people. I want to see a new look at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. The Church building is going out of fashion. It is getting old. Look around and see that it needs a total overhauling and revamp. I urge you to rebuild the Church,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.
The National Chairman of APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, who served as Chairman of the occasion, expressed delight at witnessing what he described as the joy of confirmation, their families, and the entire parish community as they received the sacramental blessing. He commended Bishop Ezeokafor for what he called his pastoral leadership and continued commitment to strengthening the Catholic faith across the Diocese of Awka.
For his part, the APGA Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Hon. Dozie Ferdinand Nwankwo, who attended the event, extended his warm greetings, prayers, and goodwill to His Lordship, Most Rev. Ezeokafor, the clergy, parish leadership, parents, and the entire Catholic Community.
The solemn celebration, officiated by Bishop Ezeokafor, attracted an array of distinguished personalities, including Hon. Sly Ezeokenwa, National Chairman of APGA; Awka South Mayor, Hon. Prince Chinedu Okafor; Hon. Obi Nwankwo, APGA Candidate for Awka North and South Federal Constituency; and Chief B. O. Onyali, SAN, among other notable dignitaries.
Speaking, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo, who was represented by his Campaign Director-General, Hon. Barr. Titus N. Akpudo, congratulated the children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, describing the occasion as a significant milestone in their spiritual journey and emphasizing the importance of faith, family, and sound moral values in building a better society.
Hon. Nwankwo prayed for God’s continued blessings upon St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State and Nigeria, while wishing the entire parish a joyful and spiritually rewarding celebration.
The Bishop was well received by the Episcopal Vicar, Reverend Father Anthony Nwafor; the Dean Awka I Deanery, Reverend Father Simon Peter Obiakor; the Parish Priest, Reverend Father Dr. Emmanuel Ofomata and the Parish Vicar, Rev. Fr. Fidelix Odunukwe.
The new parish hall named in honour of Most Rev. Paulinus C. Ezeokafor was formally opened by the Bishop, signifying a major milestone in the growth and development of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Okpuno.
