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The senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State Sen Sandy Onor, donated an ultra modern edifice to the Catholic Church, in his community, Nsofang, Southern Etung Local Government Area.
The Church was dedicated on the 16th of December, 2022 by the Most Rev Dr Donatus Edet Akpan, the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese.
Most Rev Akpan in his sermon commended Senator Sandy for helping to build a house for God and likened his magnanimity and benevolence to what King Solomon did centuries ago.
The Bishop maintained that Sen Sandy saw the state of his people and having been blessed by God took the initiative to build a house for God.
On his part, the Arch Bishop of Calabar Arch Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Effiom Ekuwem, thanked Professor Sandy for listening to the voice of God and responding to build a house for him.
The Bishop announced the name of the parish to be “St Daniel’s parish Nsofang”
The late Daniel was Sen Sandy grand uncle who pioneered the growth of catholicism in southern Etung.
Represented by the Vicar General Pastoral, Rev Charles Etim, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem maintained that, “like Solomon, you listened to God and built a house for him.
“My prayer is that the light of God will shine night and day, also listen to the petition of his people here and answer them”.
On his part, the Parish Priest Rev Fr Mathew Abang thanked God for sustaining the people, the Catholic community of Nsofang and indeed the entire community to witness the historic dedication of this church and innuaguration of the parish.
He thanked Professor Sandy for the project saying the God who rewards good deeds will reward him beyond human expectations.
“Professor Sandy and his family, we can’t thatnk you enough but we believe the Lord who rewards good deeds will reward you beyond human expectations. Thanks a million”, he said.
In a brief history of the parish as compiled by the Parish Pastoral Council Secretary, Mr Terence Ndifon Okey, said Catholicism entered Southern Etung (the area covered by St Daniel’s parish) in the 1930’s.
He thanked the PDP Flagbearer for helping see the project through and averred that he has a Catholic blood in him and keeping his words as regards the project.
“Senator Sandy has a Catholic blood and is of the lineage of late Pa Daniel Okey Ori, one the pioneer persons who led the establishment of the church in southern Etung.
“Sandy is a man who has seen his position as his ‘ministry’ to serve God and humanity in his own way. What he says he will do in the house of God, he does to completion and this is evident in this church building”.
On his part, Prof Sandy Onor thanked God for giving him the ability to support the church building project.
He said the project is a product of a covenant he made with God years ago when he ran for senate in 20215 and thanked God for the love and protection he has showered on his family.
According to Prof Sandy, “we are happy as a family and then the Nsofang people are also very happy and I am sure our friends are also happy with us. I won’t let this opportunity slip without using it to thank God for his many blessings upon us.
“When I ran for senate in 2015, I made a covenant with God that if I win the election, I will build this church. Incidentally, I lost the election and for me, God did not keep his own part of the bargain. When I had no political office, God kept reminding me of the covenant. As God was tormenting, so he was tormenting my dear wife Gertrude.
“One night we decided that we must start something. When I see this church as it is today, the commitment of the Parish Priest, I know that God is using his priests, to building the church.
“My family and I are particularly grateful to God Almighty, the Bishop and particularly, Arch Bishop Ekwuwem for the goodwill message, I cherish it.
“To all priests and religious, my friends especially Hon Alex Egbonna, the PDP family, the Nsofang people and all those who have come to identify with us, may God grant you journey mercies”.
