Family donates land to Abakaliki Diocese for church building

By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy, Abakaliki

The founder, Indigent Care Foundation, Prof Adaeze Nwuzor on Thursday , December 15, 2022 donated 10-plots of land to Abakaliki Catholic Diocese for the building of church parish. Prof Nwuzor made the donation during the 13th year anniversary and thanksgiving ceremony of Ben-Laz family day christmas cerebration at their Abarigwe Ishieke country home.

She noted that the gift becomes imperative as a way to encourage the growth of the gospel through the building of place of worship for God. According to her, the donation of the land was a decision taken by the family as a way to appreciate God for his unending blessings to the family. The UN Ambassador of peace called on Christians to build a passionate life of love knowing that "God is love, and to give is to live".

"This is our annual family programme meant to celebrate with the Indigent ones in the society as to show them love in the spirit of Christmas celebration. "As part of this year's celebration, after discussing with Ben-Laz children, the family has in a way of encouraging the spread of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ agreed to donate the 10-plots of land to St Peter's station which is under St Anthony's parish. She further emphasized, "So, we know that in the nearest future, the church will dream of making the place a Parish and this will represent our contribution knowing that the place has no land which is their major challenge. Thus, I appeal to all Catholic faithfuls to continue praying for the priests and our Bishop knowing that leadership is not easy."

Speaking during homily, Rev Fr James Nwofoke, spiritual director of the foundation, admonished Christians to return to old days when Christmas was a period of visiting family members and relatives. The Parish priest noted the importance of sharing with less privileged and prayed that those who witnessed the event would emulate the gesture by giving from the little they have to those around them. Earlier, the Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, very Rev Fr (Dr) Peter Chukwu appreciated the family for the gift of the land and revealed that the land was not gotten on any compulsion but on self volition. Bishop Chukwu who was represented by Rev Fr Mathew Opoke, Diocesan Chancellor, chaplain, St Thomas Chapel, Pastorial Center further explained that the intention when fulfilled would bring the church closer to the faithfuls. In their separate reactions, Lady Linda Igbokwu, Teacher, Government College Afikpo, and Mr Uche Oroke, chairman of the occasion tasked beneficiaries on lives of giving back to the society. Lady Igbokwu, however, cautioned students against abuse of social media and warned them to eschew from smoking and cultism. Also, Mr Boniface Nwuzor, and John Iziogo, Chairman of the physically challenged, Ebonyi council area commended the founder Indigent Care Foundation, Prof Nwuzor for her unrelenting spirit in maintaining the annual celebration with the downtrodden and prayed for divine upliftment upon the benefactor. The event featured the official presentation of the land documents to the Bishop, payment of scholarship to Indigent students, award of certificate to graduands from the skill section of the foundation and Christmas gifts to the physically challenged, staff of Red Cross society across the 13 LGAs among others. Indigent Care Foundation,ICF, is a Non Governmental Organization founded and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, on the 15th of December, 2009 by Prof Adaeze Nwuzor. The foundation measures in human capital development majorly on Indigent and intelligent persons, aged, orphans and widows, hence, celebrates its annual programme on 15th of December every year .