Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Austin Akobundu has urged Christians to remain steadfast at all times.

He stated this today at Stella Maris Catholic Parish, Abayi-Aba, where he was Chairman of the 30th anniversary of the parish creation, 1st anniversary of church building dedication, administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and pastoral visit of the Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese,
Most Rev. Prof. Augustine Echema, to the church.

While speaking during his homily, Bishop Echema hailed the Parish for their commitment to Christian virtues and the growth of the church, as demonstrated by the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on candidates. He urged them to keep such a spirit up and never relent in works of chatity.

On the state of Abia, the Bishop commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, for changing the face of governance in the State through people-centred policies and impressive infrastructural development.

On his part, Akobundu thanked God for preserving the Parish, for their consistent growth over the past thirty years which he said was epitomised by the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, and for the beautiful edifice they built and dedicated to God in March of last year. He urged them to keep the flag flying.

While responding to the Bishop’s remarks on the state of Abia after his address, Senator Akobundu affirmed the Bishop’s statement that Governor Alex Otti has transformed the state and raised the bar of leadership within such a short time. He clarified that his assessment of the current governance in Abia was non-partisan but a commitment to the truth irrespective of political affiliation.

Senator Akobundu’s full address read:

“AN ADDRESS BY SENATOR AUSTIN AKOBUNDU AT THE ONE YEAR DEDICATION ANNIVERSARY OF STELLA MARIS CATHOLIC PARISH, ABAYI-ABA; CELEBRATION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY AS A PARISH; ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION AND BISHOP’S PASTORAL VISIT, THIS DAY, MARCH 18, 2026.

Your Lordship, Most Rev. Prof. Augustine N. Echema, Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, permit me to reach members of the clergy here present through you.

Special Guests
Dear parishioners
Members of the Press
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

It was with exceeding great joy that I received your invitation to be the Chairman of this august occasion. The moment I unfolded the invitation, I recalled the song of David in Psalm 122:1, where he said, “I rejoiced when I heard them say, ‘Let us go to God’s house.'”

Since then, I started looking eagerly forward to this day because it is one of the very rare occasions where a parish will be celebrating four liturgical events in one Mass. And I am privileged to be among you today.

Your journey as a parish started 30 years ago. For 30 years, you all stood together, persevered in labour and in love, to finally build your parish edifice and, thereafter, dedicated it to the glory of God and in honour of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Your parish epitomises those Christian values needed not only to build but also to sustain and grow a parish.

An evidence of your continued growth is the Sacrament of Confirmation administered on the candidates today, a ceremony that formally enrolls and empowers them as firm witnesses and soldiers of Jesus Christ.

This is in line with my vision of complementing the efforts of the Church to empower our youths spiritually, financially, socially, and otherwise.

It is based on this that I have embarked on the sponsorship of skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for our youths in innovative and competitive endeavours like paint manufacturing, cosmetics production, ICT and ICT-related fields, sewing, farming; award of scholarships to undergraduates of higher institutions including the sponsorship of 113 constituents on a fully paid three-year scholarship to be adequately trained as teachers at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), and training of secondary school students in Embedded Systems Engineering, robotics and Artificial Intelligence, among others, all in a bid to ensure that we build a total person in every child and youth.

In this regard, I see myself as a partner in progress with the Church.

I therefore urge all those Confirmed today not to see it as just another ceremony, but to live right in Christ, be a shiny example to the world, defend the Church at all times and bear witness to the Gospel.

To every priest, religious, other members of the clergy, parishioners, and all Catholics in the Diocese of Aba, I urge you all to keep the faith burning. The growth which the Diocese is experiencing under the episcopal leadership of His Lordship is quite commendable and must be sustained in humble demonstration of love, loyalty and cooperation with him as is required of us as Catholics so that when the Sun of Salvation shines from above, the Catholic Diocese of Aba will be fully covered in its rays of glory.

This address will not be complete if I do not most respectfully acknowledge my Lord Bishop for his guidance, prayers, and charity toward his flock. The atmosphere here is a demonstration of the fact that you love your people and your people love you. May God continue to preserve you.

To the Parochial Vicar, the Parish Priest, and other members of the pastoral team, the good works you are all doing reflect in the joy that your parishioners carry about. May God continue to strengthen you.

Let me conclude this address by reminding us of Psalm 133:1 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

May our light shine so brightly before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us all! Amen!

Thank you, and God bless you!

Senator Austin Akobundu
Abia Central Senatorial District.”

Among those who accompanied Senator Akobundu to the event are Elder Sam Njoku, Sir Ihezuo Ufomba, Hon. Young Onyeike, Hon. Joseph Ohaja, Chief Dan Onwutuebe, and Mr Obinna Otuonye.