December 17, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State, Professor Sandy Onor, has donated an ultra-modern edifice to the Catholic Church.
The multi-million naira project is located at Nsofang, Southern Etung LGA and is called the St. Daniel’s Quasi Parish, Nsofang, under the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja.
The dedication of the church and inauguration of the parish was conducted by Most Rev. Dr. Donates Edet Akpan, the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese.
Most Rev. Akpan, in his sermon, thanked Professor Onor for helping to build a house for God as Solomon did centuries ago.
He said Professor Onor saw the state of his people and having been blessed by God, took the initiative to build a house for God.
He charged parishioners to always appreciate God and place their challenges before him for Divine intervention.
“Having dedicated this tabernacle according to the norms and rites of the Catholic Church, the ever-abiding presence of God is here.
“Therefore, do yourself good by coming here to pray always to God in appreciation of His goodness and place a demand for divine intervention in any issue troubling you,” he said.
Similarly, Joseph Effiom Ekuwem, the Arch Bishop of Calabar, thanked Professor Onor for listening to the promotion of God’s spirit to build a house for him.
Arch Bishop Ekuwem, who spoke through Charles Erin said, “like Solomon, you listened to God and built a house for him.
“My prayer is that the light of God will shine night and day, also listen to the petition of his people here and answer them”, he stated.
He equally expressed delight at the gesture and lauded the priest and congregants over the monumental feat, assuring that God will reward all those involved in building a temple for God.
Also speaking, the host priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Abang, thanked God for sustaining the people, the Catholic community of Nsofang and indeed, the entire community, to witness this day.
He thanked Professor Onor for the project saying the God who rewards good deeds will reward him beyond human expectations.
“Professor Sandy and his family, we can’t thank you enough but we believe the Lord, who rewards good deeds will reward you beyond human expectations. Thanks a million,” he said.
In a brief history of the parish, as compiled by Terence Ndifon Okey, the church secretary, he said Catholicism entered southern Etung (the area covered by St. Daniel’s parish) in the 1930s.
He thanked the PDP Flagbearer for helping see the project through saying he has Catholic blood in him and kept to his word as regards the project.
On his part, Professor Sandy Onor, thanked God for giving him the ability to help in seeing the project through.
He said the project is a product of a covenant he made with God years ago and thanked God for the love and protection he has showered on his family.
“We are happy as a family and the Nchofang people are also very happy, and I am sure our friends are also happy with us.
“I won’t let this opportunity slip without using it to thank God for his many blessings upon us,” he said.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
