The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor has dedicated the Aguata Diocesan Secretariat and Gosife Micro Finance Bank, built by the Diocese.

The secretariat, according to the Diocese, will create more office accommodation for diocesan workers given that since its inauguration on September forth, 2005, Aguata Diocese has been using a hall at the Cathedral Church of Saint John Ekwulobia as a temporary office.

Correspondent, Daniel Ezeigwe reports that the new complex has thirty offices, two waiting lounge, a conference hall, chapel, library and studio.

Bishop Ezeofor, who was enthroned as the Bishop of Aguata Diocese on April Third 2018, following the retirement of the pioneer Bishop, Most Reverend Christian Efobi, also established the Gosife Micro Finance Bank to boost the revenue base of the diocese and also generate employment.

Delivering a homily in the dedication service, the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor, who centered his teaching on Christ’s passion of the cross and forgiveness of his crucifers, noted that God seeks genuine and remorseful repentance from all man, from anger, vengeance, spite and wickedness.

In an interview, Right Reverend Ezeofor noted that the two projects were significant because of the economic and clerical benefits, stating that while the secretariat would ease clerical difficulties, the micro finance bank would not just provide jobs and funds for the Diocese, but would also support businesses through loans and other interventions .

Bishop Ezeofor, who also said that completing the project despite the economic devastation  of COVID-19 was through God’s grace, observed that a viability deposit for the full start-off of the micro finance bank had already been made to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.                                 On his part, the chairman of the Diocesan Investment Committee, Sir Chukwudi Okoli, said that it took the committee’s vision and the doggedness of Bishop Ezeofor to complete the projects despite the challenges.

For Reverend Godwin Okonkwo, who is the Chairman of Gosife Micro Finance Bank, it is an important infrastructure that will boost income generation for the diocese and strengthen business opportunities for the community.

The Director of Media and Communications in Aguata Diocese, Mr. Abuchi Nwozor said that the inclusion of studio and library in the new secretariat, is part of efforts of Bishop Ezeofor to reawaken the reading habit of the faithful in addition to ensuring effective grassroots evangelism.

The event was attended by over ten Bishops including the immediate-past Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Pioneer Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala, Aguata Diocesan legal team led by the chancellor, Justice Peter Obiora, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Sir Chinedu Ike and President of Aguata Diocesan Women’s Ministry, Mrs. Chinyere Ezeofor, members of the Council of Knights and Ladies among others.