By Chukwudi Asoya
THE Ugoani of Okpanam kingdom, HRM Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, JP, says he has noticed that a large portion of land belonging to St.Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Okpanam has been illegally acquired by land speculators and sold out.
He has therefore warned the land grabbers involved to desist from such illegal and ungodly act and return same to the Church, the rightful owner without delay.
The Okpanam monarch gave the warning at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State during the celebration of the feast day of St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy Okpanam/launching for the new Chaplaincy Church Building.
He said that it was a very sorry sight noticing that part of the land belonging to St. Mulumba College had already been bought by some land grabbers describing such negative development as uncalled for.
While commending the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Dr. Andrew Ugochukwu Anah and the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue for their tireless efforts towards rebuilding the school, assuring them that with prayers and hard work, the school would bounce back to its former glory.
Earlier in his sermon, Rev Fr. Anah said he decided to mark the feast day of St. Mulumba who happened to be the patron Saint of the Church, St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Okpanam.
The cleric said that the universal and original date was on the 3rd of June every year, adding that he had to fix it on Sunday which is a Pentecost Sunday so as to carry out the launching for the new Church building the same day.
Rev. Fr. Anah, who recalled that St. Mulumba was killed with others as they are now called “Martyrs of Uganda”, and gave a little history of St Mulumba also known as Matiya Mulumba Kalemba and was martyred around May 30, 1886.
He however, noted that St. Mulumba was a patron saint of Chiefs and Families.
Rev. Fr Anah said that St. Mulumba was captured and sold into slavery in Buganda and initially converted to Islam but later became a Catholic catechumen and baptized in 1880 by Pere Ludovic Girauit. He was well known for his humility and willingness to serve but was killed around May 30, 1886 at the age of 50, the cleric stated.
Fr. Anah commended the Parishioners and well wishers for their efforts towards the growth of the Chaplaincy and urged them not to relent in working for God, reminding them that God would reward and enrich them for their efforts.
He took the Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. John (Jn.14:15-18.23b -26) with the theme “The Holy spirit will teach you all things”.
He urged christians to always respect other people’s belief and religion, just as he enjoined parents to bring up their children and wards in the right way of life.
In an interview with journalists after the event, the Chairman of Obodogba Youths, Comrade Chukwuma Abumujor commended the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Andrew Ugochukw Anah for the growth and development of the Church and School.
Comrade Abumujor assured that Obodogba youths would always do their best to provide assistance to the Church and the School whenever the need arise and implored people to key in by making donations and support towards the building of the new church.
He described the building of the new Church and the general development of the school compound as commendable and advised Obodogba youths to desist from land grabbing and other negative activities.
Photo caption:
Rev Fr Andrew Ugochukwu Anah in company of the Ugoani of Okpanam HRM Dr Michael Ogbulu and some dignitaries cutting the celebration cake at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy church Okpanam
