Lawyer Builds Church to Inspire Peaceful Coexistence in Anambra Community

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A lawyer, Mr. Donald Amamgbo, has donated a state-of-art cathedral to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Ihiala, Anambra State.

Amamgbo said he was inspired to build the church to foster mutual and peaceful coexistence among people in his native Ihiala community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The cathedral, which was dedicated at the weekend, attracted personalities from within and outside the state.

Amamgbo said: “This church is a tool to drive positive change and peaceful coexistence among the community. It has been well equipped to effectively play the role.

“There is no political undertone except that I want the people to worship God in a befitting atmosphere.

“The only thing I can say is that when God puts a conviction in your heart, no matter how big or small, listen to it and do it. This initiative does not have any political undertone, it is not the first project I will do for my community and it does not have to be politically motivated.

“I set out to build a church that is historical, something that you will see in the next 50 years from now and it will still be in vogue. All the facilities are standard. People asked me, why build this kind of structure here and I replied them…why not? Why build structures in major cities and come home and be like second class citizens. Are we second class citizens?

“I don’t care any denomination you belong to, what I care about is for you to be the best human being you can be. The church in Nigeria, as a tool for driving positive change, is trying, but it could do better.

“The church has always been a voice of change but these days, it has focused on a lot of distractions. To me, their core mission is to change lives and change the society positively and to preach what they believe in fearlessly.

“My advice to the community members is to see this as a tool for peaceful coexistence and societal integration. It has been gifted to them and they have the obligation to look after it.”

The Bishop of the Niger Diocese, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, while dedicating the church, tagged, ‘Chapel of revival’, commended Amamgbo, saying that what he did was worthy of emulation.