From Everest Ezihe, Mgbidi
Youthful Collins Ezenwa Ilo, has described his building of a multi-million Naira Catholic Church Parish in his Mgbidi community as a testimonial fulfillment of a divine call from God 20 years.
Ilo who was 2023 Labour Party (LP) candidate for Oguta, Ohaji Egbema and Oru West Federal Constituency, made the statement this in Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State last Saturday during the dedication and naming of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Mgbidi.
The Church dedication was conducted by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma, the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Catholic Diocese.
The well-attended occasion, had Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate and Chief Tony Chukwu, and other business moguls and political juggernauts in attendance.
Over N30 million was raised for the parish by the friends and business associates of the financier.
According to Mr. Ilo, “I was driven to build the church in fulfillment of certain things I learnt from my mother, when was about 13 or 14 years old.
“I escorted my mother somewhere in our village, and there she made some sacrificial demands for an assistance to build her home church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mgbidi.
“The passion with which she demanded for the sowing of a seed in her home church, spurred me into saying when I grow up, I will build a church.
“I was singing it like a song, when I grow up, I will build a church, even as we were going home.
“My mother at a time seemed pissed off with what she considered as an impossible ranting and rebuked me that it’s impossible for one person to build a church in Catholic church.
“To her it’s a community thing that demands alot of time, energy and money. I promptly interrupted her, because am one person that never believed in group or crowd cumulative efforts. I believe in my capacity and ability. I believe in man walk alone.
” It was my fervent wish that an individual can do that and that individual is me, this was about 20 years ago. Today, that prophetic testimony is done and dusted, and I feel highly fulfilled.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Ukwuoma, drawing inspiration from 1 Kings 8, 22-23, 27-30, advised the congregation on the need to keep themselves and the church holy noting Almighty God as being sacred.
Ukwuoma expressed gratitude to Mr. Ilo and the founding fathers of the parish for their sacrifices and labour of love, praying for God’s abundant blessings upon their lives.
The highlight of the occasion was when the Reverend Fathers numbering over 30 with lit white candles, circled the Bishop who in a spiritual mood in the middle, was carrying the Monstrance that represents the spiritual golden Ark of Convenant, and immediately pronounced the dedication of the church and its promotion as a Parish.
The entire congregation erupted with joy and sang hosanna songs with biblical King David dance of gratitude.
