For its historical significance and reminiscence of Christina values and heroes, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny in Rivers State, which is the premier Anglican Cathedral Church in Nigeria established in 1864, should be declared a heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

National President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala stated this on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 in Bonny, Rivers State when he visited the church.

In his entourage were officials of NACCIMA and other chambers of commerce, as well as the incoming President and Director General of the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BOCCIMA), Amairigha Hart, and Constance Nwokejiobi, respectively.

“This place is supposed to be an UNESCO heritage site by all intents and purposes.”

According to the NACCIMA President, the cathedral building evokes the grace needed for growth in the Christian faith, expressing optimism that the blessings inherent in the agelong Christian edifice would be bestowed on him and his fellow visitors.  

“When you come to places like this and see things like this, it makes your faith to grow more and more. I pray that as we go into that chapel the blessings in there would be on us.”  

Earlier, the Dean of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church, Very Rev. Richard Hart had recounted some of the stories behind the various chapels and aspects of the edifice and their connection to several fathers of faith such as Bishop Ajayi Crowther, Bishop James Johnson, first Nigerian Christian martyr, Joshua Hart, Oku Epelle, amongst others.

He stated that the blessings invoked by these Christian faithful who had passed on still resonate today as well as the power of the gospel message they preached, urging his visitors to deepen their trust in God and adhere to His admonitions.