Kogi Deputy Governor Commissions 600 Capacity Church Building Constructed By Philanthropist, Gabriel Onoja »

Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja has commissioned a 600 capacity church auditorium built and donated by businessman and philanthropist, Ambassador Gabriel Onoja, President of Enemona Josh Foundation at Inele-Ugoh, Olamaboro Local Government over the weekend.

The tastefully finished church was a gift to the United Evangelical Church and was solely sponsored by Gabriel Onoja through his Enemona foundation in appreciation of God’s love for him and his family.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony which drew over three thousand friends, business associates and family members from Nigeria and abroad, deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja commended Gabriel Onoja for his foresight, commitment and investment in the house of God.

Onoja, who commissioned the church, commended the philanthropist for the initiative and magnanimity displayed at building a worship centre for the community within three months, a feat rare to come by.

The deputy governor charged the people to take advantage of the church to draw near to God and worship him for his visitation and blessings upon the community, the state and the nation.

President and founder of Enemona Humanitarian Foundation, Amb. Gabriel Onoja who spoke at the event said the completion of the church building was a dream come true for him as it was a practical show of his faith in God.

According to Gabriel, the over sixty million naira church should be used to pray for peace, socio-economic and political development of Nigeria, with a call on the worshipping community to pray for the wicked to repent of their ways.

“My desire is that anyone, who steps into this church, will pray for the peace, unity, development and socio-economic progress of Kogi and Nigeria at large,” he said.

The founder, who believed that the reward for what he has done is only coming from God, expressed more gratitude that he has been able to immortalize himself while still alive.

“I feel extremely grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to immortalise myself while I am still alive through the completion of this N60 million church project, which is so dear to my heart and my entire family.

Speaking on his desire to live for the poor, Enemona said that he knew what it meant to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners, and provide for orphans and widows and the poorest of the poor, among others because he was one in their shoes .

Gabriel expressed appreciation to the Kogi government, especially Gov. Yahaya Bello and his deputy, Mr Edward David-Onoja for their unalloyed support to him as a person and the Enemona-Josh Humanitarian, noting that he will continue to grateful.

Guest Speaker and Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja, Rev. Fr. Anthony Okoliko in his sermon, challenged well-to-do Nigerians to give to the poor as in giving; the giver receives God’s blessings.

The eloquent preacher said it was uncommon for an individual to shoulder the responsibility of building a church, but was sure that the reward for the sponsored of the projects will transcends to eternity.

“This your act of love will definitely not go in vain but will witness God’s visitation and blessings beyond measures,” Okoliko stated.

Also speaking, one of the international partners of the foundation, Apostle Yahousha Burrell, a U.S. based co-founder of Enemona Foundation, said “because you have done this, God will in turn reward you.”

Burrell called on other wealthy individuals in Kogi and the country to join Enemona-Onoja in the mission to touch lives, especially the orphans, widows and the poorest of the poor in the society.

An 87 year old Mama Merlyn Borotha-Johnson, another co-founder from the U.K, described Enemona-Onoja as “a gift to his generation”.