By Philomina Attah
Dr Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre says the church constructed a pedestrian bridge across the six-lane Airport Road corridor in Abuja to show love for God and humanity.
Enenche stated this on Friday at the commissioning of the bridge, adding that the project was also part of the church corporate social responsibility.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge was fully funded by the church, following approval by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration after years of seeking authorisation.
The senior pastor said that the project reflected the church’s commitment to making a positive impact on society.
“God is love. To be a messenger of God means to be a messenger of love. Love is about what we give, not what we get,” he said.
He said making a difference was more important than merely making a living, adding that people were remembered more for their contributions to society than for their accumulated wealth.
“Our impact is more important than our income,” he said.
Enenche said the church initially planned to complete the project within three months but later agreed with the contractor on a four-month timeline.
He said construction began on June 22 and the bridge was completed within four months and one week.
“They worked night and day. This is the fastest they have ever constructed anywhere,” he said.
The cleric said the church had also requested approval to install transparent roofing, lighting and other aesthetic features to encourage pedestrians to use the bridge.
He listed other interventions by the church to include road construction in Mararaba, Karu and Kubwa, provision of boreholes in Borno, and assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and flood victims in Maiduguri.
He thanked the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for approving the project.
Also speaking, Mr Temitope Runshewe, Managing Director of Dutum Construction Company Ltd., said the project was completed through deliberate leadership, commitment and what he described as divine assistance.
Runshewe said the indigenous company accepted the challenge of completing the bridge within four months, in spite of the tight deadline.
Runshewe said the company was also handling a similar project in Ghana, demonstrating the capacity of Nigerian construction firms to undertake projects locally and internationally.
Wike, while inaugurating the project, commended the church for demonstrating leadership and sacrifice through the project.
He noted that government could not meet every societal need without support from private organisations.
Wike said the church first applied for approval in 2018 but received authorisation in February 2026 under his administration.
“Government cannot do everything. There is nowhere government carries out every function,” he said.
He also approved the church’s request to roof the bridge and pledged that the FCT Administration would contribute 50 per cent of the cost.
He urged pedestrians to use the facility, expressing concern that many people often ignored pedestrian bridges and crossed busy roads instead.
In her goodwill message, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, described the project as an example of translating faith into practical service to humanity.
“Your faith has been backed by compassionate action. This pedestrian crossing will be saving lives daily,” she said.
Also, Dr Sam Ode, Deputy Governor of Benue, said Enenche, who hails from Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state, had demonstrated the positive impact of Christianity through his service to humanity.
Ode commended Wike for his performance in the FCT and urged the administration to reimburse the church to encourage further interventions.
Also speaking, the FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Taminu Iliyasu, said Airport Road recorded frequent crashes involving pedestrians.
“This is one of the major roads where we have most crashes, especially knocking down of pedestrians. With this project, you have done well,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Isaac Ukpoju
