Archbishop Val Okeke, Sullivan Nwankpo, Prof Fidelis Okafor, others grace the event
By Nna Anulumadu
It was a celebration galore at All Hollows Seminary Onitsha on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 when the old boys of seminary, parents of the students and friends of the seminary gathered for the kick off of the centenary celebration of the existence of the Seminary.
The spectacular event attracted the presence of the proprietor of the Seminary His Grace Most Rev Valerian Okeke, the AHOBA national president Nze Sullivan Nwankpo, former AHOBA president Prof Fidelis Okafor, Priests and others.
High point of the event was official inauguration of Sir Anthony Obinabo and wife Cecilia Obinabo scholarship foundation for All Hollows Seminary Onitsha.
Speaking at the occasion , Archbishop Val Okeke narrated the history of the Seminary, recalling that the Seminary was earlier established at Igbariam with the name St Paul’s Seminary in 1924 and was later relocated to Onitsha and later it was moved to Owerri. ” At another time it was moved to Calaba and finally it was returned to Onitsha at the present location sixty years ago with a new name All Hollows” The Seminary he said has witnessed challenges especially during the civil war, revealing that after the said war ended, it was only the chapel was standing without a roof. He stated that it was Bishop Otteh of the blessed memory and others that assisted greatly in rebuilding the Seminary.
The Archbishop appreciated Bishop Shanahan who started the Seminary in 1924, Archbishop Heerey, Bishop Okoye, Bishop Otteh , Archbishop Ezeanya, Archbishop Obiefuna all of the blessed memory for their contributions to the existence and growth of the Seminary. Others he commended are the former rectors including late Msgr O.P. Achebe, Msgr H Adigwe, Msgr Godwin Okolo Very Rev Fr Leo Muozie , Fr Aghadinuno, Fr Onwumelu for their significant contributions to the development of the Seminary. The Prelate also extolled Barr Anyaegbunam family for donating the land where the Seminary situated now. In a special way, he commended the current rector Fr Paschal Okonkwo for the ongoing transformation at the Seminary, disclosing that recently students of the Seminary won a laurel in Malaysia and debate trophies . All Hallows seminary he said has produced quality priests working in not less than nineteen countries of the world.
The Archbishop also extolled Sir Obinabo who established scholarship foundation for indigent students in the Seminary and donated 10 million naira for commencement, calling on other old boys of the Seminary to imitate Sir Obinabo and contribute more for the smooth running of the Seminary. The Prelate further thanked the 1993/ 2009 set for donating laptop computers to the Seminary, charging other sets to cue in.
The rector of the Seminary Fr Paschal Okonkwo in his speech eulogized the Archbishop for his usual magnanimity to the Seminary, testifying that his spiritual and physical support is taking the Seminary to an enviable height. He thanked the AHOBA members for their generosity. He also extended his accolades to the parents of the wards led the PTD chairman Mr Okudo for gifting the Seminary with a new van.
In a separate interview with Trinitas Newspaper the rector disclosed that the Seminary has produced Seven Bishops, including Francis Cardinal Arinze, many priests and so many successful men in our society.
The former AHOBA president Prof Fidelis Okafor who spoke to Trinitas Newspaper congratulated the Seminary at 100. He advised the current students to remain focused and aspire to become good ambassadors of the Seminary whether as a priest or personalities in the society.
The president AHOBA 1993 set Fr Evaristus Mbanusi and the financial secretary Mr John Paul Ukaehi in their separate contributions expressed happiness over the centenary celebration of their alma mater, urging current students to follow the foot steps of their predecessors.
A parent Mr Emeka Egbue in his remarks praised the giant strides of the Seminary, positing that it is now a house hold name in our society.
Earlier in his Homily, Archbishop Okeke described centenary as a time of renewal, a time of starting afresh, a time of spiritual empowerment. Reflecting on the feast of ascension of Christ, he charged faithful to become witnesses of Christ by living Christ like life embedded in humility, kindness , charity, compassion etc.
