Three years after a fundraising campaign generated more than ₦3 billion in pledges for the proposed 500,000-capacity Mercy City Cathedral project in Warri, associates of Tamar Forteta have reflected on what they describe as his behind-the-scenes contribution to the initiative’s success.

According to individuals familiar with the project, Forteta played a significant role in the conception, planning, stakeholder engagement and mobilisation that preceded the fundraising event held in Abuja.

The campaign attracted political leaders, business executives, religious figures and other stakeholders from across the country in support of the proposed Christ Mercyland Church cathedral project.

Sources close to the initiative said preparations for the fundraising exercise spanned several months and involved strategic planning sessions, stakeholder consultations, donor engagement and extensive outreach efforts.

They explained that Forteta focused primarily on coordinating engagements, facilitating introductions and building support for the project rather than seeking public recognition for his involvement.

According to the associates, his responsibilities included connecting key stakeholders, strengthening relationships with prospective supporters and helping to mobilise resources towards the cathedral project.

They described him as someone who preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, using strategic engagement and relationship-building to advance the project’s objectives.

The fundraising campaign, which secured pledges exceeding ₦3 billion, remains one of the notable religious fundraising efforts in Nigeria in recent years because of both the amount pledged and the calibre of attendees.

Supporters of Forteta said the third anniversary of the campaign provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of individuals whose work was largely carried out away from the public spotlight.

They maintained that while public attention at the time centred on the fundraising total and prominent personalities in attendance, considerable planning and coordination took place behind the scenes before the event.

According to those familiar with the project, Forteta’s contribution formed part of the broader collaborative effort that helped deliver the successful fundraising campaign.

They added that his approach reflected a preference for strategic coordination and stakeholder engagement rather than personal publicity, describing those efforts as an important aspect of the campaign’s overall success.