Rev. Fr. Paul Obayi, a well-known priest from the Nsukka Catholic Diocese in Enugu State, has made a bold decision to hand over his prized adoration land and properties to former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Obayi, who serves as the Spiritual Director of Okunerere Adoration Ministry in Nsukka, disclosed this during his homily at the adoration ground on Palm Sunday.
In a twist that has drawn attention, a part of the adoration site was demolished just months ago by a woman, Princess Monica Otta, who came with a bulldozer and police escorts to tear down an extension of the prayer ground. The destruction left behind significant losses, including the ministry’s water factory, valued at a staggering N300 million.
Not long ago, Obayi had publicly threatened to leave the church, claiming oppression from Bishop Geoffrey Onah of the diocese. However, he later retracted those statements.
This time, however, during his Sunday address, Obayi took a direct aim at his bishop and fellow priests, accusing them of abandoning him in his time of need.
He shared his frustration with the lack of support, revealing that the silence from his bishop had pushed him to make this drastic decision.
“I have been silent all this while for peace to reign, but all I see is trouble left, right, and center,” Obayi said. He then added that he would be parting with the land in light of the continued neglect.
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Obayi, who had acquired the land during Ugwuanyi’s tenure as governor, explained that the contested area was never part of his original allocation.
He credited Ugwuanyi for his generosity in providing the land and emphasized his gratitude by pledging to give him special gifts.
“Exactly one month ago, Princess Monica Otta from Abia State came with a bulldozer to bulldoze our water factory. Till today, my bishop has not called me. I have sent texts to him, written letters. No priest has dared to speak up about this wrong,” Obayi lamented.
In a remarkable gesture, Obayi announced that Ugwuanyi would now become the official owner of the adoration ground and all its remaining assets. “I will give him everything – the land, the houses, the water factory, the borehole, the fence, the crucifix, and even the statue of Virgin Mary,” he declared.
The priest’s announcement marks the end of an era for the Okunerere Adoration Ministry and signals a new chapter for the land, now in Ugwuanyi’s hands.