By Daniel Obagha
All roads lead to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nteje, as Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo re-dedicated it. A ceremony that attracted men and women of great calibre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Michael Nwakalor thanked God for the ability to build and donate the church to the Anglican community.
“It is God that gave me money to build the church and do every other thing I do. I use the money he gives me to do the necessary family things and use others to help my neighbours,” Chief Nwakalor said.
He said that when he was less than 12 years old, he got the inspiration to build a church for God.
“You know that it was not everybody that God gives inspiration to build church for him. Even though David was a man after God’s heart, he did not give him inspiration to build church for him. It was his son, Solomon.
“So, when I was less than 12 years old, I got the inspiration to build church for God and I fulfilled it 20 years ago. So everything God gave me today is to beautify our town, Nteje”, Nwakalor said in the church
Nwakalor, popularly known as Ọmelọra, praised the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his good works in the state and urged him to touch places he has not touched in his second tenure.
“Soludo did very well in his first tenure that is why he was re-elected. I have congratulated him. I urge him to remember places he has not touched in his second tenure”, he said.
Bishop Nwokolo, in his homily, said that even when the church was having problems here and there that he knew that God will help.
“I remember when this church was having financial problems, owing money here and there I remembered what God said in Isaiah chapter 7 vs 4 that we should be calm and never let our hearts be troubled.
“If there is something that is troubling you, Jesus is saying do not be afraid. Be still”, he preached.
Bishop Nwokolo thanked Chief Nwakalor and his wife, Lady Nwamaka Nwakalor for showing the church love for a long time.
“We cannot tell by mouth what he has been doing for this church but when you look around, you will see it.
“God will never forsake them. He will keep providing for them and keep them healthy in Jesus name, Amen,” Bishop Nwokolo prayed.
The Acting Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Ifunanya Maduka praised Chief Nwakalor for his unending love for the church.
“Chief Nwakalor gave me the strong support that made us rebuild this church to become the most beautiful church in the Diocese on the Niger and also in the south East.
“Chief Nwakalor is a one man squad. When I was ordained a priest, he bought me a new car. God will continue to bless him and uplift him in all ramifications”, Rev. Maduka prayed.
Representing Governor Soludo, the Commissioner for Power Anambra State, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka thanked Chief Nwakalor.
“Governor Soludo is thanking Chief Nwakalor for all the good works he is doing at Nteje. He also thank Oyi Local Government for their massive support for me during my second tenure election.
“Out of 114, 400 registered voters in Oyi, 30,852 voters cast their votes accounting for 26.84% . In the votes cast, Oyi people recorded 18,885 votes accounting for about 62.84%. Nteje as a town cast over 56% votes for APGA”, Commissioner Chukwuemeka said.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nteje was single handedly built by Chief Nwakalor and was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Ken Sandy Edozie Okeke 20 years ago. But when it started collapsing, Chief Nwakalor again rebuilt it into ultramodern church and was re-dedicated by Bishop Nwokolo on November 22, 2025
Dignitaries that attended the re-dedication included Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Sector Commander, Anambra State Road Safety command, Mrs Bridget Asokoni
Daniel is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
