By Fr. George Adimike
As a young student, the fame of two middle-aged intellectual giants, Godfrey Igwebuike Onah and Josephat Obi Oguejiofor, reverberated. Professor Onah was renowned for his intellectual prowess as a Professor of Philosophical Anthropology, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, and Consultor to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City.
Professor Oguejiofor, another intellectual colossus nicknamed ‘deity’ for his academic exploits, excelled at both Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu and Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka. These great sons of Imilike Ani (Nsukka) and Awkuzu (Oyi), respectively, illuminated our quest for knowledge and meaning. Over time, I came to know them better and appreciate their humanity and Christianity.
The appreciation of these two students of the legendary Monsignor Prof. Theophilius Okere extended beyond their dioceses, embodying immortal ideals and noble values. Reaching out to Professor Onah for a foreword to a work I edited on the Pastoral Letter of Archbishop Valerian Okeke (Education of the Youth) was effortless.
Despite not knowing me, he obliged. We later met in Rome with Bishop Matthew Kukah. His positive response confirmed my belief that true great men celebrate their colleagues. His honour to Archbishop Valerian Okeke indirectly contributed to my self-development, boosting my confidence and reinforcing my belief in celebrating goodness.
A world-class intellectual and inspirational preacher, Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah is highly sought after across nations. It is no surprise that he serves as the Chairman of the Governing Councils and Pro-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and Veritas University of Nigeria (VUNA). By hard work and grace, this superstar deploys his intellectual, spiritual, and material resources for the Gospel.
Balancing speculative ingenuity with pastoral compassion, Bishop Onah addresses the welfare of his people. This resonates beyond the Plateaus of Nsukka, evident in his faith-informed anthropological vision.
He prioritizes ecclesiological engagement over legal stipulation, emphasizing pastoral charity and our equal belongingness to Christ (volumus Iesum videre). His ministry aims to bring people to a deeper encounter with Christ, making the Church a light to all, salt to the earth, and yeast for transformation.
From the Vatican hill to Nsukka plateau, Bishop Onah integrates knowledge and love in his pastoral engagement. He understands that Christianity is about encountering Christ, who gives life profound orientation. As Christianity is a religion of the ‘Logos’ (both a Person and knowledge), he insists that faith must be understood beyond sentiment. He prioritizes teaching the faith, believing that one’s openness to God and surrender to Christ measures one’s glory. Viewing everyone as a potential recipient of the Good News, he engages local authorities, traditional religion practitioners, and those promoting the common good to encounter the Church genuinely.
Bishop Onah embodies and promotes the intellectual, spiritual, and anthropological foundation of Nsukka identity. He encourages his people to love and nurture their gifts to enrich the human community without unnecessary self-congratulation. He nudges them to cultivate their noble cultural values and avoid duplicity of character. He offers an excellent context for the flourishing of Nsukka identity, even providing an anthem that echoes their faith and culture. He unburdens Christians from tangential burdens, emphasizing the freshness, profundity, and goodness of faith.
Investing significantly in the formation of pastoral agents and youth, Bishop Onah’s love for his priests and young people drives his efforts. He encourages ongoing learning and transformation among his priests, making PGDE a norm. His aversion to mediocrity spurs him to equip pastoral agents with sound education.
Apart from sending priests and seminarians abroad for studies, he established permanent structures for the Spiritual Year Seminary. His construction of the Cathedral and other infrastructural developments testify to his pastoral solicitude and leadership capacity. In seven years, he created seventy-seven new parishes for grassroots evangelization, established two hospitals in remote areas, and is building a Technical Institute and Social Communication Centre.
These recollections of Bishop Godfrey Onah’s ministry glorify God and encourage this great shepherd of souls. With his multitude of children, friends, and admirers, I wish His Excellency a happy 64th birthday. Ad Multos Annos, My Lord.
- Fr George Adimike, findfadachigozie@gmail.com
