St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ayakoro Dedicated as Ogbuku Family Marks End-of-Year Thanksgiving
Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State witnessed a profound moment of spiritual renewal and communal thanksgiving on Sunday, 28 December 2025, with the dedication of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ayakoro, alongside the end-of-year thanksgiving of the Ogbuku Family.
The historic service brought together clergy, traditional leaders, professionals, community stakeholders, and worshippers in an atmosphere of reverence, gratitude, and reflection on faith, heritage, and generational stewardship.
The service commenced with a Bible reading delivered by Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), taken from 1 Kings 8:22-30, the passage recounting King Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple. The scripture set the spiritual tone for the ceremony, emphasising covenant, divine presence, and responsibility in sustaining God’s dwelling place.
Delivering the episcopal message, His Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Dr Tamunotari Matthew Obaze, Bishop of the Diocese of Ogbia, charged the congregation with the sacred duty that accompanies building a house for God.
“This house, the Lord has helped you to build, must not be abandoned or left empty. It must not become a place of darkness or neglect. God inspired this work for a purpose, and it must be cared for even more than your personal homes,” the Bishop admonished.
Reflecting further on 1 Kings 8:22-30, Bishop Obaze recalled earlier engagements with the community, during which discussions were held on renovating the old church structure.
“At the time, we considered expansion and renovation. However, in your private deliberations, you resolved that repainting or restructuring would not sufficiently honour the labour of your fathers. You chose to do what was befitting. Today, we are witnesses to the fulfilment of that decision. May the Lord bless you all, in Jesus’ name.”
The Bishop paid tribute to the founding fathers of the church, including Ogbara, Chief P. I. Nathan Ogbuku, Itekesi, Ogbara, Oruama, and other pioneers whose sacrifices laid the foundation of Christian worship in Ayakoro.
The formal dedication of St. Mark’s Anglican Church was conducted on Sunday, 28 December 2025, by Rt. Rev. Dr Tamunotari Matthew Obaze, in the presence of Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku, MD/CEO of NDDC. The church, rebuilt and presented courtesy of the Ogbuku Family, was solemnly dedicated to the service of God, to the glory of God, Amen.
The service was officiated by Ven. Emmanuel, Rev. Matthew Agu Dubia, Rev. Canon Dallas Abarah, Rev. Canon Igoniwari, Rev. Canon Moses Azibola, Rev. Jackson O., Pastor Patrick Egberi, Pastor Aaron Kopu, and members of the Ayakoro Pastors’ Forum, reflecting broad ecclesiastical participation.
Distinguished guests included Chief Dr Robert Ayalla Enougha, Prince Dr Doodei Week, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, and other notable sons and daughters of Ayakoro.
In his vote of thanks, Barr. Jude Rex Ogbuku, Chief of the Ogbuku Family, expressed deep appreciation to God and to all who gathered to share in the family’s end-of-year thanksgiving.
“As I count my blessings one by one, I can only say, glory be to God. We are grateful that God has enabled us to advance the legacies of our fathers and make the world come to Ayakoro. Exactly what they desired.”
The dedication of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ayakoro, and the Ogbuku Family’s thanksgiving stood as a testament to faith, unity, and continuity, reaffirming Ayakoro’s enduring commitment to godliness, heritage preservation, and communal responsibility.