Benin City, Edo State — Saturday, 5 September 2026

The Catholic community of St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Ogbeson Quarters, Benin City, was on Saturday, 5 September 2026, filled with joy, thanksgiving and spiritual celebration as the parish celebrated the dedication of its newly completed church building.

The solemn ceremony was presided over by Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, O.S.A., Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi and Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City.

The dedication marked an important milestone in the spiritual and physical development of the parish and brought together priests, religious, parishioners, invited guests, friends and well-wishers who gathered to give thanks to God for the successful completion of the project.

The Parish Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, expressed gratitude to God and acknowledged the support and contributions of parishioners and benefactors towards the development of the church.

In his remarks, Fr. Oyanoafoh who is also the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Benin City commended Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his intervention in addressing some of the challenges faced by the parish and the surrounding community.

According to the Parish Administrator, the church had appealed to the Governor during its December 2025 harvest celebration over the poor electricity supply and the deplorable condition of the road leading to the church.

He explained that the Governor responded with the provision of a transformer, which was delivered on 23 December 2025, while work also commenced on Electrics Road, the road leading to the church.

Fr. Oyanoafoh expressed appreciation for the improvement in road infrastructure around Ogbeson, noting that better road access had made it easier for people to reach the parish and had improved the general environment around the church.

The priest further thanked the Governor for other ongoing road projects and appealed for the continued development of infrastructure in the area.

Bishop Offers Prayers and Blessing

The Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, O.S.A., offered prayers for the church, the parish community and those who had contributed to the successful completion of the building.

He also prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection upon the Edo State Governor and all those serving the people of the state.

The dedication of the church building represents more than the completion of a physical structure. It is a testimony to the faith, sacrifice, generosity and communal spirit of the Catholic faithful of St. James the Greater Parish.

The new church is expected to provide a fitting place of worship and strengthen the parish’s mission of evangelisation, sacramental life, pastoral care and service to the wider Ogbeson community.

A Day of Thanksgiving

For the parishioners, the occasion was a day of profound thanksgiving to God. The dedication brought to a joyful conclusion a significant phase of the parish’s development and offered an opportunity for the Catholic community to reflect on the importance of unity and shared responsibility in building the Church.

The celebration also demonstrated the strong relationship between the Church and the wider community, particularly in addressing challenges that affect worshippers and residents.

As the faithful of St. James the Greater Catholic Church celebrated their new place of worship, the occasion became a reminder that every church building is ultimately a house of prayer, a centre of communion and a visible sign of God’s presence among His people.

The parish community was encouraged to continue its commitment to faith, charity, evangelisation and service, so that the newly dedicated church may remain a place where people encounter Christ and experience the love of God.

May God continue to bless St. James the Greater Catholic Church, Ogbeson, its priests, religious, parishioners, benefactors and the entire Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City.