Former Bwari and Kubwa Deanery President, Engr Ikenna Okonkwo FNSE has praised the transparent presentation of Church account by the Parish Priest of St Augustine of Hippo Catholic Church Dutse Sagbagyi, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Bala.
Giving the commendation after the ‘Child Presentation’ of the President, Catholic Men Organization (CMO), of the parish, Chief Albert Anopueme at a Mass held in the parish, last Sunday, Engr Okonkwo was astonished by the Parish Priest’s details and presentation of receipts to parishioners for the expenses and series of Parish Infrastructural Development Union Programmes and Projects executed.
The Liturgical celebration was concelebrated by the duo of the Parish Priest, Emmanuel Bala and the Former Parish Priest – MOD Major General Victor Ogunyemi.
“After the Mass, during the announcement, the Parish’s 2023 Harvest and Bazaar Committee presented their ‘Harvest Account’ and that was Very Superb. The account presentation was impeccable. Then comes the Parish Priest’s turn to give the break down of the expenses and series of Parish Infrastructural Development Union Programmes and Projects executed and I was Very impressed where I was that I felt like getting to the Altar to have a handshake with the Priest as it’s been a Long time I have seen such a high level transparent presentation of Church Account to the level of making receipts available to the parishioners to also have a look.
“The last time I saw this was also in my parish in St Luke’s Kubwa where Reverend Father Celestine Eze Also gave a very convincing financial report of his first 6 months in Office and promised to be releasing it Regularly as time and opportunity permits,” he said.
Revealing Fr Bala’s numerous practical sacrifices in order to encourage his congregation, the Engineer affirmed that the Priest has done many practical projects which includes the Parish House gate, state of the art Sarchristi, church Transformer and this year’s Christmas Gift; a brand new Thurible and Incense Boat which Made that part of the Liturgy of Incensing the altar very colourful.
Stretching his hand of generosity to the priest and the parish for such transparency, Engr Okonkwo donated N100,000 to the church in support of the various programmes and N50,000 personally to the parish Priest and maintained that his show of love and appreciation is not political, showmanship or self adulation but to value “ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND SELFLESS SERVICE at it’s Best.
“Apologies to Father Emmanuel Bala for marketing his TRUE Transparency and Accountability. He has done very well in a very small parish and should be appreciated.
“If I don’t say what I saw at St Augustine Dutse Sagbagyi Kubwa Deanery last Sunday, nobody will know that such exists in such place and that it should be emulated,” he said.
The Engineer, Counselor, Analyst, Philanthropist and Devoted Catholic, Okonkwo, congratulated the family of Chief Anopueme and prayed God to bless them and the child.