Practical Christianity came alive once again in Diaba Village, Opi-Agu, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, blessed a residential bungalow built by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike for an indigent woman, Mrs. Anthonia Ezugwu, and her children.
Fr. Adimike had previously built a befitting home for a widow, Mrs. Roseline Ugwueze, in the same community some years ago. This year, the cleric returned to Opi-Agu to build another bungalow for Anthonia Ezugwu, who was said to have faced oppression from her kinsmen.
The community turned out in large numbers as Bishop Onah, alongside several diocesan priests from Nsukka Diocese, attended the event.
Fr. Adimike, accompanied by members of his Faithspiration Initiative and groups from the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, received a rousing welcome. Popular gospel singer Chioma Ezefete also thrilled guests with songs of praise and worship.
Speaking before blessing the house, Bishop Onah expressed deep appreciation to Fr. Adimike for his remarkable acts of charity, particularly towards the people of Opi-Agu.
He also commended members of the Faithspiration Initiative and parishioners of SS John and Paul Catholic Church, Iba Pope Awada, for supporting the priest’s humanitarian efforts.
The bishop said he was amazed that Fr. Adimike, who hails from Awka-Etiti in the Onitsha Archdiocese, had become so committed to the welfare of people in Opi-Agu that he had now attracted and completed three major projects in the community.
“Remember, Fr. Adimike is from Awka-Etiti in Onitsha Archdiocese. Apart from the houses he has built here in Opi-Agu, his relatives also joined hands in completing the building of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Opi-Agu. This is the benefit of Christianity and the heart of someone who truly serves Christ,” Bishop Onah said.
The prelate condemned the growing return to idol worship among some youths in the area and criticised claims that the Church was a scam.
“If the Church is a scam, would someone like Fr. Adimike leave Awka-Etiti and come all the way to Opi-Agu to build houses for people?” he asked.
He reminded community members that the funds used for the projects were raised through donations and appealed to parents to encourage their children to invest in meaningful support for families rather than extravagant burial ceremonies.
Bishop Onah also appealed to Anthonia Ezugwu’s relatives to support her and stop every form of persecution against her.
“For those who think Anthonia has nobody, do not touch God’s own person. She is no longer alone. If anyone oppresses her again, Fr. Adimike, Faithspiration members, and the Church will stand for her,” he warned.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Adimike thanked God for making the project possible, noting that he never imagined he would return to Opi-Agu to build another house after the first intervention.
He explained that the idea began after Anthonia informed him during Easter charity outreach that she had no shelter.
“When Anthonia told me she had no house, I initially gave her some money during our Easter charity programme and left. But during my priestly anniversary in July, I visited her place and saw the terrible condition of the structure,” he said.
“I first thought of helping to renovate it. But after posting it on my WhatsApp status, someone called me and said renovation would not help because the building would still collapse. I then said I wanted to build a new house and asked if he could support me. He immediately pledged N1.5 million.
At that point, I took it as a clear message from God that the woman needed a new home.”
Fr. Adimike thanked Bishop Onah for honouring the occasion and described the bishop as a source of inspiration to many priests and faithful.
“Your life and words teach and motivate us. I pray God continues to sustain you as shepherd of His people,” he said.
The cleric further declared that Anthonia Ezugwu was no longer alone and warned those allegedly oppressing her to desist or face opposition from her supporters.
He also encouraged Anthonia and her children to remain steadfast in their Christian faith and urged those still practising idol worship to repent and embrace Christ.
Speaking with journalists, Anthonia Ezugwu alleged that her kinsmen had subjected her to years of oppression and spiritual attacks.
“It shall be well with Fr. Adimike. He rescued me when my kinsmen tormented me after killing all my relatives. May God grant him long life and good health,” she prayed.
Residents of Opi-Agu, including the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Pascal Ideh, and Chairman of the Diaba Progressive Union, Mr. Kingsley Okafor, also expressed gratitude to Fr. Adimike for his generosity towards the community.
The event featured the distribution of N10,000 each to 50 persons, while gifts presented to Fr. Adimike by members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Community, Diaba, included tubers of yam, honey, plantain, fowls, palm oil, and other farm produce.
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