Prosper Okoye
A Catholic knight in Anambra State, Sir James Louise, popularly known as Ebube Anaedo, has publicly renounced Christianity, claiming the Catholic Church failed to properly honour the contributions of the late senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Nnewi.
The cathedral, a major landmark in the state, was inaugurated on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by prominent figures from across Nigeria.
Dispute Over Recognition
Reports indicate that Ubah initiated and largely funded the cathedral project, completing about 85% of the construction before Bishop Jonas-Benson Okoye was posted to the Nnewi Catholic Diocese in 2022.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSources say the bishop later instructed that Ubah disengage from the project, a move that reportedly caused tension among supporters who argued that the senator’s contributions should be formally recognised.
Public Protest
During the inauguration, Sir James Louise, dressed in full knighthood regalia, staged a public protest after mass.
A video widely shared on social media shows him breaking down in tears, apologising to the late senator on behalf of the Church, and renouncing his Christian faith.
He removed his shoes and cap—symbols of his knighthood—saying:
“This is my last day as a Christian. I’m done. This is awful. How could anyone believe that this cathedral, which Ifeanyi Ubah slaved to build, could be inaugurated without a mention of his name?”
Church Responds
In response, a statement from the Catholic Diocese and a separate note by Fada Convoco, a local priest, emphasised that Ubah’s contributions were acknowledged in the official dedication document.
The statement said:
“It not only mentions Ifeanyi Ubah but highlights, in detail and with an eternal tone of gratitude, his enormous contributions.”
The statement added that the liturgy’s focus was on God and the consecration of the cathedral, and not all human contributors are mentioned during prayers or sermons.
Fada Convoco wrote:
“Human forgetfulness is in our nature… in such occasions of omissions, the Holy Spirit takes care of things beyond my imagination and fears.
The Catholic Church is a property of Jesus Christ and He knows how to supply when omissions are made out of weaknesses.”
The priest also commented on cultural expectations, noting:
“Many people seek recognition for their contributions. The man who caused a scene today clearly falls in this category.
We need to learn what worship and prayer truly mean.”
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Online Reaction
The video of Sir James Louise’s protest has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning the Church’s recognition practices, while others defended the Diocese, arguing that Ubah’s contributions were formally acknowledged and that the ceremony’s focus was religious rather than personal.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
