By Samson Adeyanju
Faith and controversy collided in Nnewi on Wednesday as the inauguration of the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral turned into a public protest.
Sir James Louise, a Knight of the Catholic Church known as Ebube Anaedo, renounced Christianity during the ceremony, citing the Church’s failure to acknowledge the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to the cathedral.
In a viral video, Sir Louise was seen in tears, removing his shoes and cap, symbols of his knighthood before declaring his exit from the faith.
“This is my last day as a Christian. I am done. How can a cathedral that Ifeanyi Ubah worked so hard to build be inaugurated without mentioning his name even once?” he cried.
The late Senator Ubah reportedly funded about 85 percent of the cathedral’s construction, including roofing and windows.
Sources say tensions rose after the appointment of a new Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas-Benson Okoye, in 2022, who requested that Ubah channel further contributions through the diocesan office, a request he declined.
The incident has sparked nationwide debate about recognition, transparency, and how institutions honour the legacies of benefactors. As of filing, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi had not issued an official statement.
Social media reactions remain divided, with some accusing the Church of erasing Ubah’s legacy, while others criticised Sir Louise’s dramatic response.
This controversy highlights broader questions about how religious institutions balance protocol, leadership, and acknowledgment of key contributors.
