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IT was a joyous moment at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha on October 17 as Church confers posthumous awards on the first Igbo Bishop, Most Rev. John Cross Anyaogu and celebrated the elderly — living and the dead.
Rev. Fr. Austin Oburota in his sermon during the Holy Mass that kick started the ceremony, laid emphasis on the late Bishop Anyaogwu’s life of dedication, commitment and holiness.
He testified to the fact that Bishop Anyaogwu at the time when many had yet to accept Christianity offered his life to the service of God.
Rev. Fr. Oburota said that Onitsha was a blessed land to have produced the foremost Igbo priest and first Igbo Bishop in Eastern Nigeria.
According to him, late Bishop Anyaogwu hails from Umuaroli Quarters, Onitsha, Ado N’idu.
Rev. Fr. Oburota said that late Bishop was born on March 11, 1898 in Onitsha, and was ordained a priest on Dec. 8, 1930 at the age of 32.
Fr. Oburota said he was consecrated a Bishop on June 9, 1957 and was installed as the first Bishop of Enugu Diocese on Jan. 15, 1963 and died on July 5, 1967,
The late Bishop Anyaogwu suffered and contributed so much to speedy spread of the gospel in the course of his work in 1922; he trekked some 320 kilometers from Onitsha to Ogoja to spread the gospel.
He commended the Church for the honour saying that this timely remembrance and reflections on his legacies would kick starts the hope of making him a Saint by the Mother Church.
The Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha who is also the Episcopal Vicar Onitsha Region, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor said that it was at the instance of His Holiness Pope Francis in the celebration of this year’s dedicated to Saint Joseph.
He considered it necessary to remember and honour the pillars of the Church; those who helped immensely to sow the seed of faith, nurtured and passed it to the present generation.
In an interview with newsmen, Fr. Okafor described the recipients of the Diamond Awards including notable men and women dead and alive who did excellently in building of the Church and humanity in Onitsha Kingdom.
He said those who suffered in many ways and were called names while they were trying to keep the light burning, deserved to be recognised and honoured.
Among them are, late Igwe Samuel Nwokolo Okosi 1, who stopped the killing of twins in Onitsha.
He also mentioned late Mr. Patrick H Okolo, who donated a sizeable parcel of his land to the missionaries, part of where St. Mary’s Church had been standing.
Also in the list is, Rev. Monsignor Obeleagu of the blessed memory who could not be forgotten for his hard evangelical works in Onitsha.
The award which was given to some outstanding politicians in Anambra Senatorial Zone was in recognition to their general contribution to humanity and to encourage them to do more.
Among them are the Transition Committee Chairman, Onitsha North, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba and his counterpart in Onitsha South, Mr. Emeka Asoanya, Senator Stella Odua, Ms. Linda Ikpeazu and Mrs. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
