Fides Media Living the Faith
By Chioma Ndife
The member representing Anambra East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Emeneka, has been given a meritorious award for his phenomenal contributions and efforts towards the growth and development of Sacred Heart Chapliancy, Ngozika Estate, Awka, Anambra State.
The award was conferred on Emenaka by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor during the bishop’s pastoral visit and blessing of some parish projects.
Hon. Emeneka was honuored alongside Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Mr. Ikedina Akamelu, Engr. Francis Obidike among other parishioners of Sacred Heart Chaplaincy whose determination saw the success story being recorded by the chaplaincy.
Presenting the award of honour, Bishop Ezeokafor appreciated the individuals for taking up the wok of the church with their full energy and strength even when the terrain posed several challenges. He stressed that working in God’s vineyard brings immense blessings and opens up inaccessible doors.
Bishop Ezeokafor who was marveled over the growth which the chaplaincy had recorded both in physical and spiritual realm, said that consistency was greatly needed for other structural projects to be accomplished and beckoned on others to aim for higher deals that would be put into the chaplaincy for more visible growth.
Speaking after receiving the award, Hon. Emeneka thanked God for giving him the opportunity ot cultivate in his vineyard and appreciated the chaplaincy for the honour. He recalled the early beginning of the chaplaincy and commended the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Okafor for his giant strides and carrying on from where his predecessor, Fr. Francis Orenye stopped.
He maintained that carrying out God’s work was the simplest way of appreciating God’s gift of life and urged people to always find ways of investing in God’s vineyard. He noted that nothing can ever be too much to be given to God as humans gives the little which they had received from the Almighty God.
The House Member who served as a lay reader in Sacred Heart Chaplaincy said he found pleasure and happiness within the sanctuary of God, noting that the best investment was the one made in the church of God.
Hon. Emeneka while reaffirming his commitment and steadiness in the work of God, promised to conceive other areas of need where he would devote total attention.
For his part, the Media Adviser to the Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2019 Presidential Election, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, while appreciating the chaplaincy for the award, said he could not tell why he was decorated with the award.
He opted that working for God should not merit award for an individual as God from the onset created humans to serve and cultivate in his vineyard, noting that the award came as a surprise to him.
‘No one should expect an award from the church for his service to God as we all are doing the work of God in line with his mandate for creating us all. The award is really a surprise to me but the award team said it was for my efforts to the church’ he noted.
Contributing, Engr. Francis Obidike popularly known as Phyno within the Chaplaincy, said his contributions to the growth of the chaplaincy was inspired by the secret he has with God. He revealed that he prefers doing things unannounced and explained that he was compelled to receive the award to assist the chaplaincy in generating fund after much conviction by friends and well-wishers.
Engr. Obidike who provided accommodation for Priests working in the chaplaincy prior to the construction of the Rectory by the CWO, said he had to offer his house for the comfort of the priests bearing in mind that the priest was God’s representative. He disclosed that his service in God’s vineyard had brought lots of blessings his way, noting that human reward meant nothing to him.
He beckoned on people to devise ways of putting in resources either financially or otherwise to ensure the steady growth of God’s vine yard, noting that no contributions was ever a waste.