Large portion of land belonging to St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Okpanam, Okpanam, Oshimili North local government area, Delta State, has been illegally acquired by land speculators and sold.
The Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, HRM, Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, made the disclaimer on Sunday, during the celebration of the feast day of St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy Okpanam/launching for the new Chaplaincy Church building.
He said he noticed that lately and warned the land grabbers involved to desist from such illegal and ungodly act and return same to the Church, the rightful owner without delay.
Apart from the warning, the Okpanam monarch said that it was a very sorry sight to notice that part of the land belonging to the college had already been bought by some land grabbers, describing such negative development as uncalled for.
While commending the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Andrew Anah and the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue for their tireless efforts towards rebuilding the school, he assured 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.
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 beliefs and religion, just as he enjoined parents to raise 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 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.
He commended the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Andrew Ugochukwu Anah for the growth and development of the Church and School.
Abumujor assured that Obodogba youths would always do their best to provide assistance to the Church and the School whenever the need arises and implored people to contribute by making donations and supporting the building of the new church.
