By Olivia Obijiaku
The Catholic Bishop of Kano, Most Rev. Dr. John Namaza Niyiring has disclosed that he deepened his knowledge of the Catholic faith and also discerned his calling into the Catholic priesthood, as a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also recalled how the worship went during his studentship in the university in the 1980’s, thanking the faith community for keeping the faith.
The bishop divulged the information during the Mass for the Wedding between George Nkom and Regina Gaiya in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, ABU, Saturday, April 18, 2026. There he told the congregation that visits to his Alma Mata remains homecoming for him and such which paint sweet memories of the past in his mind.
“Coming to ABU is always for me a homecoming.” The bishop said. “I arrived here for the first time in 1980. Much of my spiritual formation took place here, because it was here that I deepened my knowledge of the Catholic faith. Often, some of us visited KIL (Kashim Ibrahim Library). The library was like a home for us. So, we liked to be in the library every time. KIL was very important. I stayed here till 1985 and it was here I received my vocation to the priesthood. I thank God for calling me.”
“In those days, ABU was seen as a small Nigeria. There was unity in diversity. You had people from all over the world. At that time, university was a place for universal education. We had students from Cameroun, Libya, UK, and other countries. So, it was a big thing. It is a great memory always. I hope and do hope sincerely that it is still what it used to be.”
Delivering the homily at the Mass, Rev. Fr. Patrick Bako Zichyiang, who reflected on Neale Donald Wasch’s book: ‘Tomorrow’s God’ dwelt on the author’s assertion that ‘Politics is your Spirituality Demonstrated’ in adapting his reflect to ‘Marriage is your Spirituality Demonstrated.’ He maintained the people treat their spouses from the depth of their spirituality, just as priests treat their parishioners from the reservoir of their spirituality.
He continued, “The spirituality you must demonstrate to your spouse must flow from the peace you have, because if you do not have peace, your spouse will not enjoy you. If you are at peace with yourself, you will be at peace with your spouse, because you cannot give what you do not have. Prioritize your mental health because it will help you in serving God, your spouse and your neighbour.”
Fr. Zichyiang urged the intending couple to be open to learn from each other. He also discouraged them from withdrawing good deeds from each other, in the name of punishment because, “by so doing, you are not only punishing your spouse, you are also punishing yourself. You are revealing the picture of who you truly are, because your competency is not meant to punish your spouse, neighbour, children, parishioners, but to make meaningful impact.”
