By Aniefiok Christopher
A Catholic knight has abandoned the church following non-acknowledgement of contributions by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the church’s building during the dedication of the Nnewi Catholic Diocese Cathedral.
James Louise Okoye, a man from Nnewi, is seen in a viral video calling out the church while standing within the church compound.
Okoye explained that his outburst was driven by anger over what he described as the unfair exclusion of his late kinsman, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, from being acknowledged during the dedication of the Nnewi Catholic Diocese Cathedral.
Popularly known as Ebube Anaedo, he questioned why the late politician, whom he said played a key role in pioneering and supporting the construction of the cathedral before his death, was not remembered at Mass when they were praying for the souls of the departed faithful.
He shouted, “It’s unfair that not even in the brochure or orally was your name acknowledged as a contributor, even when you constructed over 85% of the edifice.
“How could anyone believe that the cathedral which Ifeanyi Ubah saved to build could be inaugurated without a mention of his name! This is bad.”
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“Did you hear them say, may the soul of Ifeanyi Ubah rest in peace?” Okoye asked those present.
He questioned why the soul of Ubah was not remembered during the dedication of the church and vowed not to attend church again.
“Evil is evil,” he said.
He then apologised to the spirit of Ubah, saying over and over again in Igbo: “Ifeanyi Ubah, sorry.”
He added: “I’m done with religion. Last day as a Christian.”
Background
The cathedral, described as a massive and iconic edifice, was inaugurated on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by prominent personalities from within and outside the state.
According to findings, the project was initiated by the late Senator, who reportedly volunteered to build the cathedral and had completed about 85 per cent of the work before the posting of a new bishop, Jonas-Benson Okoye, to the Nnewi Catholic Diocese in 2022.
It was gathered that the bishop subsequently directed Ubah to disengage from the project, a decision that reportedly generated tension, with many insisting that due credit should be given to the Senator for his substantial investment.
However, controversy erupted during the cathedral’s inauguration when Sir James Louise, dressed in full knighthood regalia, openly protested after mass, lamenting that the late senator’s name was neither mentioned orally nor included in official brochures as a contributor to the project.
See video below.
