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Bishop Elue in Cap, with other Catholic priests at the Igbodo Catholic Church dedication.

The glory due to God was given to Him as the completed St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Igbodo, Ika North East Local Government Area, was dedicated by the Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese of the Catholic Communion, Most Rev. (Dr) Michael Odogwu Elue.

In his message, Bishop Elue thanked God for enabling the parishioners to see the project to fruition, declaring that the completion of the church marks a new beginning in the lives of all those who contributed to the project.

Obi Osadume of Igbodo, his wife, Rt. Hon. Nwokolo and Chief Patrick Ukah atthe church service.

He advised Christians to remain steadfast in any church they worship and avoid running from one church to another, adding that God will remember them any where they are worshipping.

The Bishop expressed delight at the presence of the Obi of Igbodo kingdom, HRM, Barr. Ikechukwu Osedume 1, the Omus and the traditional chiefs in the community at the ceremony, stressing that it shows the cordiality between the church and the traditional institution in Igbodo kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Christians to continue to pray and remain focused in whatever they do.

A cross section of the congregation at the Church dedication service.

The Governor, represented by the immediate past Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, spoke at the Catholic Church dedication, even as he Okowa admonished Christians to pray continually for the state and the nation so that things will run around for the better.

The Governor praised God for the successful completion of the Catholic church project in Igbodo and congratulated the Bishop, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bernard Oleru (MSP) and all the parishioners for their doggedness in seeing the edifice to completion.

The Obi of Igbodo kingdom, HRM Barr Ikechukwu Osedume 1, the member representing Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, the Chairman, PDP Delta North, Hon. Moses Iduh, the General Manager, DBS Asaba, Lady Evelyn Binite and the President General of Igbodo Development Union, IDU Worldwide, Deacon Mathew Okwaje described Rev Fr Bernerd Oleru as a true servant of God.

They also commended the parishioners for standing strong with their Rev Father for the evangelical assignment in Igbodo community.

Some of the parishioners, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the church dedication planning committee, Mr Nedum Azikiwe and Mrs Mary Nkem-Nwaeke, the Chairman, Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Isioma Okoba, the Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Mr John Keshi, the Iyase of Igbodo kingdom, Chief Ifeanyi Unomah, Mr Victor Iloba and others, expressed gratitude to God for the spiritual upliftment going on in Igbodo kingdom.

They said his five years missionary work in Igbodo was a blessing to the community, maintaining that St Martin of Tours Catholic Church Igbodo is now a major pilgrimage spot in Nigeria.

The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bernard Oleru, paid glowing tributes to the parishioners and all that contributed to building a place of worship for God.

Rev Fr. Oleru said the new church project was a dream come through, stressing that the land of Igbodo is blessed beyond measure.

Highlight of the occasion was the anointing and incensation of the alter and the church by Bishop Elue.