Victor Ndoma-Egba, former senate leader, has built a 1,000 capacity church in Akparabong, his hometown in Cross River state.

At the dedication ceremony, Ndoma-Egba said he built the church to fulfil the promise he made to God at the age of 11.

The church projected, he said, started in 2003.

He said: “Growing up, I made a promise to God to build Him a church if He made me a man. He made me a man ages ago but He has thankfully been patient with me to this day.

“Mercifully, I am now able, with the help of my supportive wife, to now keep my side of the bargain. Not only is the church we have been building since 2003 now ready, Akparabong my hometown where the church is located is now a full-fledged parish.”

Ndoma-Egba is the chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He was a three-term senator, representing Cross River central from 2003 to 2015.

John Onaiyekan, Catholic archbishop of Abuja, led a retinue of clergymen to dedicate the new church called Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.

Onaiyekan said the church should be a sign of the goodness of God so that anybody who sees it will say “this is how God’s community should be”.

He enjoined Christians to live by faith and charity while he also prayed for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.