Noah’s Ark Set to Sail: Nigeria Prepares for Historic Church Commissioning

Barring any last minute changes, Assemblies of God Noah’s Ark-Shaped building will be commissioned on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Ogbor Uvuru, a tranquil community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State where the ark is built, is already buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
This monumental edifice, aptly christened “Noah’s Ark,” is the brainchild of Chief Success Akagburuonye, a distinguished son of the soil, revered philanthropist, renowned real estate and Kingdom investor.
The building, modeled after the biblical ark, stands as a testament to Chief Akagburuonye’s unwavering devotion to God and his community.
The imposing structure has already become a landmark, drawing admirers from far and wide. But beyond its visual grandeur lies a deeper story — one of sacrificial giving and a commitment to kingdom investment that transcends denominational lines.
The commissioning ceremony promises to be nothing short of historic.
Leading the spiritual charge is the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev. Abel Amadi, Ph.D, alongside a host of ministers who will pour blessings upon the Ark and its congregants.
Dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond have signaled their intention to witness the epoch-making event. Among them are former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, Rev. Dr Sarah Seoh from Los Angeles, USA, Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai, and a constellation of eminent personalities whose presence will underscore the significance of the day.
For Chief Akagburuonye, the Noah’s Ark is more than a building — it is a spiritual legacy. It joins a growing list of church projects he has personally initiated and completed. From the Assemblies of God Nigeria Awaka in Owerri North renamed Success House, Awaka, to the Egbu branch and the Mbaise District Headquarters in Uvuru, his fingerprints are indelibly etched on houses of worship across the state.
Yet his generosity is not confined to the Assemblies of God denomination. Members of St John’s Anglican Church, Lorji, in Aboh Mbaise, bear witness to his ecumenical heart. It was Chief Akagburuonye who undertook the church’s window project, a contract exceeding N10 million, awarded to a church member, after previously completing the church roofing singlehandedly.
These gestures, quietly executed yet deeply impactful, have earned Chief Akagburuonye admiration as a man whose heart beats for God and his people. His kingdom investments are not just about brick and mortar, but about nurturing faith, community cohesion, and social development.
Little wonder analysts and observers see in him a leadership quality that could transform Imo State’s fortunes, should he ever be entrusted with its stewardship.
As Ogbor Uvuru prepares to host the world on May 24, the Noah’s Ark will not only float on the waves of admiration but will also serve as a floating altar of gratitude, hope, and communal pride. For a people often yearning for symbols of greatness, Chief Akagburuonye has delivered a vessel that will carry generations into a future anchored in faith and service.
Stanley Okehie is an Owerri based Journalist.