… Honours Arthur Eze with Special Award
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu and Emmanuel Chigozie
It was celebrations galore on Sunday, 2nd August, 2025, at St. Simon’s Catholic Church, Ukpo, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the community celebrated 100 years of Catholicism.
The tripartite event witnessed the priestly ordination of Rev. Somadina Simeon by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, as well as the reception of Reverend Father Paul Nwofor who was ordained a Catholic priest in faraway Gabon.
Delivering a homily during the Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration, Bishop Ezeokafor called on parents to be alive to their responsibilities, attributing the current wave of neo-paganism to lack of good parental upbringing, exhorting them to sit up and face reality. Bishop Ezeokafor commended the parishes in Ukpo for coming together to ensure the success of the centenary celebration, urging them to sustain the tempo by maintaining the synergy and peaceful co-existence.
Appreciating the Bishop for coming, the Parish Priest of St. Simon’s Catholic Church, Ukpo, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Obiekezie, paid a glowing tribute to Bishop Ezeokafor, describing him as a compassionate and loving shepherd. He thanked all who assisted in one way or the other in making sure that the event went well, especially the Episcopal Vicar Nimo Region, Rev. Fr. Shedrack Anunwa; the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ukpo, Very Rev. Fr. Joachim Ezeani; the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual, Rev. Fr. Francis Anene; the Priest in Residence, St. Simon’s Parish, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Richard Ekegbo; the Vicar, St. Joseph’s Parish, Ukpo, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Ibenegbu; and all the public spirited individuals who contributed to the success of the event.
The Parish Priest lauded the Mayor of Dunukofia Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Chijioka Ozumba, and the Traditional Ruler of Ukpo Community and the Clan head of Dunukofia Ancient Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Dr. Robert Eze (Okofia VI) for their continued support.
In an interview, the Mayor expressed joy with the coming of the Bishop, saying that his homily actually touched him and promised to practicalise the lessons inherent in the Bishop’s admonitions, calling on all to embrace Christ, as well shun acts capable of ruining their reputation and also desist from squaring up against the Supreme Deity.
Hon. Ozumba congratulated the entire Ukpo Community for the centenary celebration, describing it as a great milestone.
In their separate speeches, Reverend Fr. Chukwunonso Nwofor, ordained in Gabon and the newly ordained Priest, Reverend Father Somadina Simeon Egozoba, said they were overwhelmed with joy, especially with the turnout, and Bishop’s words of admonition. He said they could not thank him enough. The duo thanked all the priests, including the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi; the Espicopal Vicar, Rev. Fr. Shedrack Anunwa; as well as their community, for the show of love.
Planting of the centenary tree, presentation of awards to distinguished individuals; including Prince Arthur Eze, group photographs, presentation of the keys of two newly purchased cars to the two priests, formed the highpoints of the event