A community leader, philanthropist and politician in Imo state, Sir Dan Chibuzo Iwuorie has donated a brand new church to his kinsmen in Umuduruojijje, Oboro Umueze Ogwa in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo state.
The church, known as St Silas Anglican Church Umuduruojijje, Oboro Umueze Ogwa has a sitting capacity of between 400 and 500 parishioners and was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Owerri Anglican Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Chukwuma Chinekezi Oparah, assisted by the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ohaji/Egbema, Rt. Rev. Chidi C. Oparaojiaku, a few days ago.
Blueprint gathered that Iwuorie bought the massive land where the church building was erected, built the church, furnished it, sunk a borehole and has concluded plans to build a parsonage for resident priests, single handedly.
In a chat with our correspondent after the successful dedication of the church by Bishop Oparah, Chief Iwuorie said he built the church out of passion for the service of God and to alleviate the suffering of his people who had to trek a far distance from Umuduruojijje to where the parent church, St Paul’s Anglican Church Oboro Umueze Ogwa is located, miles away from the village to serve God.
“I felt I should build a place very close to my people for the service of God,” he said.
Iwuorie, who had contributed in various ways towards the growth of the church, both in Ogwa and in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he lives, said he would continue to do things capable of uplifting the work of God because He had fought for him and kept him going, adding that his gesture was part of what God had given him.
By way of advice to fellow parishioners, Iwuorie who seized the opportunity afforded by the church dedication to celebrate his 60th birthday told them, “Although my perception of worshiping God is different from theirs, I want to tell them that it is profitable to serve God. If you serve Him, He will never let you down. I therefore, encourage those who are slacking in the work of God to buckle up and move the gospel of God forward. For me, anything I want to do, I go solo. I want to encourage them to be part of the work of God. But if they have the resources, they can toe my line and do it solo without disturbing anybody at home.”
