* As deputy governor commissions project
High-profile government officials, traditional rulers, and prominent Anglican clergy gathered in Rumunduru community, Obio/Akpor Council, to witness the official commissioning and dedication of a newly built church parsonage.

The facility was constructed by former Obio/Akpor Council Chairman, Chief Chijioke Ihunwo, in honour of his late mother, Mrs. Justina Nkechinyere Ihunwo, marking a decade since her passing.

The ceremony, which doubled as Amb. Ihunwo’s birthday thanksgiving, culminated a two-day memorial programme that combined spiritual dedication with grassroots humanitarian service.

Speaking at the commissioning held at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Oro-Igwe District, Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, praised Amb. Ihunwo for choosing a project that directly benefits the church administration and its ministers.

“This is a clear-cut, commendable contribution to the vineyard of God,” Deputy Governor Odu stated. “Sowing a seed of this magnitude in memory of a mother ensures her legacy continues to yield positive fruits for the church community.”

In addition to commissioning the structure, the Deputy Governor pledged state support toward fully furnishing the parsonage, while urging other well-meaning individuals to invest in faith-based and community infrastructure.

The structural dedication was led by Ven. Chidi Worgu, alongside key spiritual reflections from the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu. Drawing from Psalm 71, Bishop Ordu highlighted the themes of divine faithfulness, institutional support, and individual gratitude.

Beyond the physical infrastructure delivered to the Anglican Communion, the Ihunwo family launched a two-day free medical outreach prior to the church service. The exercise provided hundreds of Rumunduru residents with basic health screenings, essential medications, and specialised eye care, including free eye drops and prescription glasses.

The late Mrs. Justina Nkechinyere Ihunwo, remembered by relatives and locals as a devout Christian and respected community matron, was celebrated for instilling values of philanthropy that continue to drive her family’s public interventions.

The memorial ceremony drew a significant assembly of political and traditional leadership across Rivers State. Those in attendance also include: former Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Edison Ehie, who chaired the occasion, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Sunny Ewule, Eze Oha Apara IV and Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, and Eze Gbaka-Gbaka, HRM Eze Leslie Eke.

Speaking during the thanksgiving session, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo reflected on his mother’s enduring impact on his personal and public life, noting that the parsonage and medical outreach were designed to reflect her lifetime commitment to healthcare, faith, and community support.

Event observers noted that while Ihunwo’s career has frequently centered on public administration and educational empowerment in Obio/Akpor, the memorial focused strictly on faith, family honor, and civic duty.

Media analyst Njoku Macdonald Obinna, described the occasion as an operational model for transforming personal loss into sustainable public utility.

With the parsonage now handed over to St. Philip’s Anglican Church and hundreds of local residents receiving medical care, the 10-year memorial of Mrs. Justina Nkechinyere Ihunwo stands as a permanent fixture of community development in Oro-Igwe District.