By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Mr Amaechi Davidson Kanife and his wife, Nneoma Kanife the builders of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ugwetiti, Amansiodo-Oghe, in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have received a special apostolic blessing from His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in recognition of his rare act of faith and generosity in building a church single-handedly for his community.
The papal blessing, conveyed as a mark of appreciation, was formally presented to Mr. Kanife and his family by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, during the solemn dedication of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which was built by Mr. Kanife and his wife, Mrs. Nneoma Kanife.
The dedication ceremony also featured the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 74 parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ugwetiti, marking a significant spiritual milestone for the young parish.
Other features during the historic event included empowerments to numerous individuals by Kanife and handing over new brand Lexus 330 Jeep to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. John Ugwa.
In his homily, Bishop Onaga described the dedication of a church as a profound way to begin the new year, emphasizing that a church is a sacred house of prayer and worship, not a multipurpose hall for social activities or merriment.
He stressed that once a church building is dedicated, it ceases to be an ordinary structure and becomes the house of God, consecrated solely for prayer, worship, and reverence.
The Bishop recalled the legacy of early Christian missionaries who combined evangelization with the building of churches and schools to combat illiteracy and idol worship.
He urged the Ugwetiti community to make proper and reverent use of the newly dedicated church.
Bishop Onaga revealed that the project was completed within two years, commending Mr. Kanife for his perseverance, courage, and divine privilege.
“Not everyone is allowed by God to build Him a house,” the Bishop said, citing 1 Chronicles 28:3, where God declined King David’s desire to build the Temple.
Addressing the benefactor directly, the Bishop said:“Izaga, your hands are clean; that is why God allowed you to build Him a church. You are blessed. I pray that you will recover all the resources you spent on this project. From today, you shall no longer be known as Izaga for Christ but Ibollo for Christ.”
He further charged the community to keep the church holy and clean at all times and urged the newly confirmed faithful to remain steadfast, encouraging them to attend Mass for nine consecutive days.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Mr. Davidson Kanife narrated that the vision to build the church began on October 31, 2021, during the dedication of his triplets, house-warming, and thanksgiving in his village parish.
According to him, Sister Cynthia Ikwueze delivered a message that God desired him to build a church for Him.
He explained that his lawyer and godfather, Barr. P. U. P. Onuorah, advised that prayers be offered for divine provision, adding that if God supplied the resources, the project would proceed.
In 2023, during preparations for the blessing of the parish house, discussions commenced on designing a church building plan so that the Bishop could bless the foundation.
However, he said that Bishop Onaga advised that the foundation should first reach Damp Proof Course (DPC) level before blessing, to ensure continuity and seriousness of purpose.
Kanife said that after consulting with his wife, they proceeded beyond the DPC level, gradually advancing the structure from window level to lintel level, reinforcing the walls and eventually raising it to parapet level.
Initially, the intention was to stop at a certain stage and allow parishioners to complete the project if necessary. However, he said a strong inner conviction encouraged him to complete the church for his people.
“I told myself that Ibeto built a church for Nnewi people, Bishop Ozubulu built one for Ozubulu people, and they do not have two heads. It is not a crime to complete a church for my community,” he said.
Kanife, formerly known as Izaga for Christ, now Ibollo for Jesus, said that there was national economic constraint during the project which made him to stop for sometime, especially as he was simultaneously building his personal residence.
He recounted how, during a night prayer of Divine Mercy, his conscience questioned why he would abandon the house of God to complete his private building.
“Though I had gone beyond what I initially pledged, I later asked God for forgiveness. The next day, I called the parish priest and informed him of our decision to continue the project. Today, the church stands dedicated,” he said.
Kanife urged wealthy individuals to use their resources in serving God and humanity, noting that service to humanity is service to God, and attributing his motivation to a lifelong commitment to charity.
Founder of Faithspiration Initiative, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike, described Kanife as one of the few privileged individuals endowed with the grace to build a house for God.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Engr. Casmir Enemuchukwu, and the Secretary of the Church Dedication Committee, Sir Reuben Ibekwe (KSM), expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the community.
Friends and associates from Anambra State, including Mr. Ndubuisi Igboka and Mr. Arinze Ezeudu, also praised Kanife for his selfless contribution to community development.
The ceremony attracted numerous priests and religious from the Enugu Diocese and Onitsha Archdiocese, including the renowned Catholic cleric Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chibuzo Obimma (Ebube Muonso).
Other dignitaries included business associates, community leaders, members of various Catholic organizations and clubs, parishioners from different parishes in Onitsha, and members of the Faithspiration Initiative family, among others.
