Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy, people are talking as the church fail to recognize late Dr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah properly for his 85% outstanding near completion of the church project.

The dedication of Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi was meant to be a celebration of unity and gratitude, but it has instead ignited a wave of outrage. This backlash stems from claims that the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi did not adequately recognize the significant contributions of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the project.

Social media reports and eyewitness accounts from the dedication ceremony indicate that Senator Ubah’s involvement was either downplayed or only briefly mentioned, despite clear evidence that he was the driving force behind the cathedral project, bringing it to near completion before the Diocese took over.

Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

Several sources close to the late senator, including Hon. Eneh Victor Chigozie, have consistently asserted that Ifeanyi Ubah personally funded and oversaw more than 85% of the cathedral project, with his contributions amounting to billions of naira.

These accounts reveal that Ubah did much more than just provide financial support. He reportedly:

– Personally supervised the construction work
– Rejected faulty roofing on two occasions due to safety concerns
– Insisted on a pillar-free interior design to mitigate structural risks
– Imported doors, windows, and long church pews from abroad
– Completed the church tower, which is now recognized as the tallest structure in Anambra State

By 2021, the project was well underway, with only the finishing touches left to complete.

Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

During this time, the then Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev. Hilary Paul Odili Okeke (Emeritus), reportedly collaborated closely with Ifeanyi Ubah and openly acknowledged his contributions. The cathedral, still under construction at that point, was even used for the episcopal installation of Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye in 2022, highlighting just how pivotal Ubah’s role was in this endeavor.

Things took a turn when Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye took the reins of the Diocese. As the 2023 general elections drew near, it was reported that the late senator was asked to step back from finishing up the last 15% of a project, leaving many of his associates in disbelief.

While Ubah had his suspicions about the political motives behind this decision, he decided to go along with it out of respect for the Church and continued with his political endeavors.

The issue flared up again during the official dedication Mass of the cathedral, where many were hoping to see the late senator’s contributions and sacrifices recognized in a meaningful way.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

Eyewitnesses and video footage from the event revealed that Bishop Jonas Benson only mentioned Ifeanyi Ubah in passing and indirectly, while explaining Cardinal Francis Arinze’s invitation to lead the Mass. Critics pointed out that this mention felt more like an afterthought than a heartfelt tribute.

It was also noted that Ubah’s family didn’t receive formal recognition or an invitation, and his contributions were casually grouped with other “contributors,” a label that many have criticized as misleading and unfair.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

Chibunna Esedo, who was present at Bishop Benson’s installation in 2022, remembered how the former bishop had openly celebrated Ifeanyi Ubah’s unwavering dedication to the project, making the recent slight all the more painful.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

This perceived snub has sparked strong reactions from political leaders, community figures, and everyday Nigerians, many of whom view the treatment of the late senator as profoundly disrespectful, unjust, and not in line with the values of a religious institution.

Several voices are raising concerns that in a truly just society, the cathedral should have been named or dedicated in honor of Ifeanyi Ubah’s remarkable sacrifice, instead of merely relegating his contribution to a footnote.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

For many, this incident isn’t just a personal affront; it highlights a larger issue of how power, politics, and gratitude intertwine within institutions that are supposed to uphold moral integrity.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

As things settle down, one question keeps surfacing in public discussions:
Why was a man who reportedly shouldered the financial and structural weight of the cathedral treated as if he simply “contributed like everyone else”?

For those who supported the late senator, the dedication ceremony has reopened old wounds and fueled concerns that even in death, Ifeanyi Ubah’s legacy is being quietly diminished.  Nnewi cathedral dedication controversy

Meanwhile; Peter Obi mourn senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who died in London early today, what a sad news, this one hit home real hard

I received a rude shock this morning, the news of the death of my dear younger brother, and Senator Representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. We were all together on July 12, at the burial of Chief Pius Onwuzo in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Senator Ubah personally welcomed me at the burial and requested that I visit his house for lunch, to which I pleaded with him to reschedule to another date as I already had several engagements for the day. Continue reading here

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