The entire Nise Catholic Community on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at St. Felix Catholic Church, Nise, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, trooped out en masse to celebrate 100 years of Catholicism in the community.
The sumptuous ceremony, preceded by a Concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration, had people from all walks of life in attendance, including the indigenous priests and religious, lay faithful, community leaders as well as the first indigenous priest from Nise, Very Rev. Msgr. Dr. Simon Uchenna Amateze.
In his homily during the Holy Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, congratulated the Nise Catholic Community on the Centenary Celebration of the seed of Catholic Faith in the town, even as he commended all the priests working in the three parishes in Nise: St. Felix Parish; SS Peter and Paul Parish and St. Stephen’s Parish; for their coordination and commitment towards the propagation of the gospel, evangelism, and the teaching of Catholic doctrines to the lay faithful.
Bishop Ezeokafor, who was visibly joyful, noted that the Centenary celebration should not go without adequate funfair and ceremonies, emphasizing that it was not easy to attain such a level and height in the life of the Church. The Catholic prelate exhorted them to sustain the momentum and ensure that more souls were won and converted.
In an address from the Nise Catholic Community Central Parish Council, jointly signed by Rev. Fr. Clement Ufearo, Parish Priest of St. Stephen’s, Nise; Rev. Fr. Lawrence Onwuaso, Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul, Nise; Dr. Joseph Amata, Secretary Central Council and Reverend Father Dr. Joel Okechukwu, Chairman/Parish Priest of St. Felix, Nise, stated that one hundred years (five scores) were not one hundred days, weeks or months.
‘Even at that, it takes God’s grace to endure and get it achieved. In the political realm and its identical hemisphere, one hundred and other numerable days in office are usually celebrated. But a celebration of 100 years in office has remained unheard of. By dint of divine providence, many had attained and celebrated one hundred years and even more in this planet, imitating the longevity and age of Methuselah of the ancient Biblical records.
‘All we are asserting by implication is that the issue of 100 years, since the advent and episode of the Catholic faith in this Ancient Nise Kingdom, is not one to be swept under the carpet. Hence, this elaborate celebration. We thank all and sundry for our collective and individual inputs towards the realization and materialization of this calibre of celebration.
We pray that our successors (the incoming generation) will endeavour to toe the path of sustenance and perpetuation of this gesture, with due progressive connotations, as we continue to water and nurture the centenary trees momentarily put in the place in order to keep the flag flying.
‘May the Almighty God grant that the much expected spirit of growth be equally implanted in our successors and all future partakers in the joint race for His Kingdom. We sincerely and extensively celebrate along with various recipients of the heartwarming award of Centenary Star (s) and we also extol the posthumous awardees for their forthrightness and latent dedication,’ he prayed.
They equally commended the various survivors, for holding forth and persevering, even as he urged the youths to emulate what he described as the illuminating and exemplary lifestyle of all the awardees.
‘Our amiable Bishop, we are magnifying God, while also glorifying His name for all the blessings and sustenance towards you. Our Bishop is indefatigable in his perfect shepherding and ceaseless pastoral care of his flock.
‘Hence, we ascribe all the glory to God the Almighty. We commend our departed Bishops; Most Rev. A.K. Obiefuna and Most Rev. Dr. Simon A. Okafor of blessed memory, for laying a strong foundation of faith which are upheld and sustained till date.
We earnestly pray that He (God) continues to bless, guide, and sustain our spiritual father and mentor (Our present Bishop), in all his innovations and endeavours. We hereby reaffirm our loyalty and assure you of our collective sound followership. For we are relying very much on your paternal care and regards,’ they concluded.
The Central Parish Council Leaders thanked the Dean, Amawbia Deanery, Rev. Fr. Donatus Oragwam; Governor Soludo; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, the traditional ruler of Nise Igwe RN Iloh (Ise Nise), and Hon. Princess Chi Eze, the mother of the day.
‘We thank our legislators in the Senate , House of Representatives, and House of Assembly in the persons of Chief Sir Victor Umeh (Ohamadike); Prof Oby Lillian Orogbu and Hon. Chukwuma Okoye.
High table functionaries included Governor Soludo; Igwe R.N. Iloh, the Chairman of the occasion; Chief Basil I. Chidebelu; Chief Boniface Egbutu, Co-Chairman; Hon. Princess Chy Eze, Mother of the Day; Surv. Cyprian Chidi Agha, Co-Chairman; Chief Boniface Okafor, Co-Chairman and Chief Sir Emmanuel Ugochukwu Enekwechi.
Planting of Jubilee tree by the Bishop, Chairman’s opening remarks, group photographs, presentation of Centenary address, cutting of Centenary cake, cultural dance, entertainment, presentation of awards, vote of thanks and closing prayers by the Bishop formed the highpoints of the occasion.