Reverend Fr Emmanuel Terungwa Asue, the priest in charge of St. Mathias Catholic Church in the Selagi area of Gaav, during the early hours of today being July 9, 2025, performed a commendable act of support for a community-led bridge construction in Umagashi, a village located in the Mbatiev district of Gboko Local Government Area Benue State.
Notably, the Umagashi community shares a boundary with Gaav in the Konshisha Local Government Area.
During the event, Father Asue expressed his gratitude to God for the gift of life and for the favorable weather conditions that facilitated the successful mobilization of community resources for the bridge construction.
He pointed out that traversing the stream in Umagashi during the rainy season presents significant challenges for residents, especially given that the original bridge had collapsed in recent years. This situation has created considerable difficulties for individuals, including community members who travel to Selagi for prayer and adoration programs.
“To facilitate movement for both worshippers and residents, the Church has decided to intervene by providing support for the reconstruction of this wooden bridge in collaboration with the community,” Father Asue articulated. “We are confident that this structure will be robust enough to serve the populace for an extended period.”
He acknowledged the collective efforts of community members that contributed to the success of the project, applauding the contributions of the elderly men, the women who provided sustenance, and the vigorous participation of the youth. Additionally, he recognized individuals such as John Ugaga, Terungwa, and other prominent community figures, whose names were omitted due to time constraints.
In his concluding remarks, Father Asue highlighted the importance of unity, indicating that the collaboration between the Church and the Umagashi community exemplifies the spirit of togetherness. “This endeavor clearly demonstrates the power inherent in unity,” he stated. “We are all one community—Mbatiev and Gaav—and by collaborating, we have turned the construction of this bridge into a reality.”
Father Asue also expressed gratitude to God for the inspiration gained and the life lessons imparted through the project and extended particular appreciation to the community chief for efficiently mobilizing his constituents to ensure the completion of this initiative.
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