CMO St Peter’s Chaplaincy UNN Honours Members @ 2025 Fathering Sunday Celebration

    BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

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Fathering Sunday, a cherished annual event in the Catholic liturgical calendar set aside to celebrate and reflect on the sacred role of fathers in building the Church and society, was marked in grand style at St. Peter’s Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), on Sunday, 4th May 2025. The celebration, organized by the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of the Chaplaincy, served not just as a moment for thanksgiving but as a powerful occasion to recognize and honour 25 of its members who have distinguished themselves in academic leadership, university administration, and public service. The colourful event, which culminated in a special thanksgiving Mass, was marked by prayers, tributes, reflections, and moments of emotional gratitude.

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In his brief address, the Secretary of the Catholic Men Organisation, Prof Chris Agbedo, noted that the CMO resolved to honour 25 of its members who have been “chosen by God as worthy tools to serve in positions of honour and influence.” These men, he said, are Catholic fathers who have taken their faith to the heart of leadership, demonstrating integrity, compassion, and excellence in their professional callings. “As scholars, administrators, and public servants, these men have borne witness to their faith in their various fields of fruitful engagement,” Prof. Agbedo remarked.

The highlight of the celebration, ably compered by the Okwulora team of St. Peter’s Chaplaincy, Mr. Kingsley Udogu and Prof Paul Ejikeme, was the recognition of 14 professors who have either served or are currently serving as Vice Chancellors in various universities across Nigeria. In honouring them, the CMO underscored the importance of scholarly leadership grounded in faith and morality.

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The honourees in this category included – Prof. James Ogbonna, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State As a celebrated academic and administrator, Prof. Ogbonna has made significant contributions to medical and applied science education in Nigeria. Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), is an erudite political scientist and thought leader known for his policy insights and administrative sagacity. Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Abuja is a Catholic priest and economist, who has blended religious calling with academic excellence in a unique and inspiring way. Prof. Casmir Anyanwu, Vice Chancellor of Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, a historian of international repute, has overseen notable strides in private university education. Prof. Romanus C. Ezeokonkwo, former Acting Vice Chancellor of UNN in 2024 and current Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin) had a brief but impactful tenure marked by stability and focused leadership. Prof. Polycarp E. Chigbu, also a former Acting Vice Chancellor of UNN (2024–2025), is remembered for consolidating reforms and academic excellence.

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Prof. Michael Adikwu, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, is a seasoned pharmacist, scholar, and innovator; Prof. Malachy I. Okwueze, pioneer Vice Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu (2016–2020), who is celebrated for expanding the frontiers of private tertiary education; Prof. Peter Akah, former Acting Vice Chancellor of Imo State University (2021), renowned for his academic scholarship in pharmacology; Prof. Felix Ona, former Acting Vice Chancellor, UNN (2004), whose legacy is still visible in the administrative foundations he laid; Prof. Chuks Ezedum, former Vice Chancellor of Madonna University, Elele, widely respected for his profound contributions to the academia; Emeritus Prof. Paul Akubue, former Vice Chancellor, Madonna University, Elele, a seasoned academic with a remarkable teaching and research career in pharmaceutical sciences.

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Also in the list are Prof. Fidelis U. Okafor, former Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, a moral philosopher and educationist; Prof. Vincent Okore, former Vice Chancellor of Caritas University, Enugu, known for his unflinching adherence to academic ethics and mentorship. These academic leaders were applauded for promoting the values of justice, excellence, and truth in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, while also being firm pillars of the Catholic faith.

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The CMO also recognized six distinguished men who have served as Registrars, the chief administrative stewards of various universities. Their efficiency, dedication, and support for academic growth were acknowledged as invaluable to the higher education sector. They included Mr. Ike Ikeme, current Registrar, Madonna University, Elele; Sir Anselm Onah, Registrar, SUMAS, Igbo-Eno, Enugu State; Mr. Morris Onwuka, Registrar, Caritas University, Enugu; Mr. Charles Njoku, former Registrar, Madonna University, Elele; Sir (Ichie) Sam Ofoegbu, former Registrar, Anambra State University, Igbariam; and Ogbueshi A. I. Okonta, former Registrar, UNN, who is held in high esteem for his decades-long service to the university community. Their commendation stemmed from their devotion to ensuring efficient university governance and adherence to principles of fairness and order, often in difficult environments.

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In the sphere of governance and public policy, five men were recognized for their contributions as Honourable Commissioners in various state governments. These men have brought their Catholic faith and values into the policy arena, shaping decisions that affect millions – Dr. Anthony Mgbeahuruike, Commissioner for Livestock Development, Imo State; Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, Commissioner for Higher Education, Imo State; Prof. Uche Eze, Commissioner for Education, Enugu State; Prof. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Enugu State; and Prof. I.T.K. Gearge Egeonu, Commissioner for Lands, Survey, Urban Development, and formerly of Education and Health, Imo State, marked out by his multidisciplinary governance expertise. Their roles in crafting people-centered policies and implementing reforms with a sense of justice and service were praised as worthy of emulation. Each of the 25 honourees received a Certificate of Recognition, presented in deep appreciation of their selfless service to academia, university administration, and public governance, all rooted in unwavering Catholic faith.

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This was preceded by a special Thanksgiving Mass, officiated by the chief celebrant, Rev. Fr. Solomon Onuh (Ocean), Parish Priest of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Mkpologwu Ukehe. In his homily, Fr. Onuh charged Catholic fathers to live out the true essence of fatherhood as patterned by God. He emphasized that fathers should not swim against the divine current but must seek wisdom in God’s design for the family. “Count God first in all you do,” he advised. “Devote time to what matters most – your family, your faith, and your service to others and everything else will fall in place.” The cleric enjoined Catholic fathers to return to the original purpose of fatherhood as divinely ordained including being spiritual leaders in their homes, courageous witnesses in their professions, and defenders of justice in society.

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The Chaplain 1 of St. Peter’s Catholic Chaplaincy and Vicar-General of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Amuluche Greg Nnamani, while presenting the certificates, congratulated the recipients on their well-deserved recognition. He also lauded the CMO President, Prof. Daniel Obiora, and his executive for conceiving and executing such an innovative honouring ceremony, the first of its kind in the history of the Chaplaincy. In their individual responses, the honourees expressed deep appreciation to the CMO and the Chaplaincy for finding them worthy of such recognition. Many of them made voluntary donations to support the work and activities of the CMO, pledging continued support to the Church and its outreach programmes.

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In a particularly moving vote of thanks, CMO President Prof. Dan Obiora thanked the Chaplain for his unwavering support and spiritual guidance. He expressed profound gratitude to Rev. Fr. Solomon Onuh for the three-day retreat he conducted for the fathers of the Chaplaincy, which was described as “soul-lifting, spiritually renewing, and deeply impactful.” Prof. Obiora also gave thanks to God for sparing the life of Fr. Onuh and a seminarian, who survived a ghastly motor accident on the last day of the retreat when their vehicle steering lost control, leading to multiple somersaults. “It’s only by divine mercy that we are not mourning today,” he said. “We thank God for snatching His faithful servants from the jaws of death.”

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The 2025 Fathering Sunday celebration of St. Peter’s Catholic Chaplaincy, UNN, was not just a recognition event; it was a deeply spiritual, communal, and emotional moment that showcased the synergy between faith, leadership, and service. It affirmed that when Catholic fathers live out their calling with integrity and dedication, they leave an indelible mark not just in the Church but in the wider society. The ceremony ended on a high note with group photographs and warm exchanges among family members, clergy, and members of the Chaplaincy. The Catholic Men Organization, through this event, has raised the bar on how to celebrate fatherhood, not as a biological function, but as a divine vocation with ripple effects in academia, governance, and society at large.

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The year’s event was a testament to the power of Catholic fatherhood in shaping destinies, societies, and institutions. It underscored the Chaplaincy’s commitment to celebrating faith-driven excellence, offering a model for how faith communities can recognize and inspire transformational leadership. In a country often challenged by poor leadership and moral decay, the celebration stood as a prophetic witness to the kind of leaders Nigeria needs – men of God, men of truth, and men of action!

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C. M. O!

Christ is our Leader!