…Cardinal Okpaleke, Bishop Ezeokafor Lead Galaxy of Guests at St. Augustine’s, Ichida
By Rev Ezemedolu Kingsley
The quiet town of Ichida came alive on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April, 2026, as Rev. Fr. Jude Ikechukwu Nwankwo, Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida, marked 25 years of priestly ordination with a colourful Silver Jubilee celebration.
The two-day event drew the Catholic faithful, traditional rulers, political leaders, and scores of clergy and religious from Awka and neighbouring dioceses, underscoring Fr. Nwankwo’s 25 years of steady service to God and humanity since his ordination in 2001.
Activities began on Saturday, 11th April, with a novelty football match between the Awka/Ekwulobia Diocesan Priests Football Team and the Ichida All Stars. In a keenly contested encounter, the priests defeated their hosts 2–1 to the delight of cheering parishioners. The match set a festive tone and reflected the jubilarian’s well-known ability to blend pastoral work with community life.
The highpoint was the Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, 12th April, at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ichida. The Chief Host and Jubilarian, Rev. Fr. Nwankwo, was chief celebrant, joined by a large college of concelebrating priests. The sanctuary was filled with Rev. Sisters from various congregations, lay faithful, and guests.
The celebration was graced by the presence of Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, and His Eminence, Peter Ebele Cardinal Okpaleke, Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, whose attendance added a distinct pontifical weight to the jubilee. Both prelates joined the faithful in thanking God for the gift of Fr. Nwankwo’s priesthood.
Rev. Fr. Obinna Dike, a classmate of the jubilarian, preached the homily and described the priesthood as “25 years of unmerited grace”, recalling their seminary days and commending Fr. Nwankwo’s humility, accessibility, and his long-standing commitment to the sick, the elderly, and lay apostolate groups.
Also present were HRH, Igwe Charles Ezeudogu, Igwe Orazurunye II of Ichida, who led members of his royal cabinet; Chief Ernest Anyaeche, Orimili Ochendo of Aguluzigbo; Mr Valentine Ozigbo; and a host of other dignitaries from the religious, traditional, and political spheres.
Members of St. Jude’s Society; Catholic Nurses Guild; and the Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese – groups to which Fr. Nwankwo serves as Diocesan Chaplain and Assistant Diocesan Chaplain respectively – turned out in their numbers.
Immediately after Mass, guests moved to the parish podium for a grand reception. Cultural dances, testimonies, and goodwill messages highlighted Fr. Nwankwo’s impact since his transfer to Ichida in 2020. Parishioners spoke of his open-door policy and his ability to combine the demands of parish administration with his multiple diocesan assignments.
Fr. Jude Ikechukwu Nwankwo was ordained for Awka Diocese in 2001. He began at St. Mary’s Parish, Awka (2001–2003); then served as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Felix’s Parish, Nise (2003–2004), before becoming Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s, Umunze (2004–2006).
In 2006, he was appointed Diocesan Health Coordinator, a position he held until 2017. During that period, he resided as Priest in Residence at St. Joseph’s Parish, Ekwulobia (2006–2008) and Annunciation Parish, Awka (2008–2015).
From 2015 to 2017, he made history as the pioneer Director of the Awka Diocesan Priests Welfare Home, the official residence for elderly and retired priests, while still coordinating diocesan health programmes.
He returned to full parish ministry as Parish Priest of St. Vincent’s, Amesi (2017–2020), before his present posting to St. Augustine’s, Ichida in 2020.
Beyond the parish, he currently serves as Diocesan Chaplain of St. Jude’s Society; Diocesan Chaplain of Catholic Nurses Guild; and Assistant Diocesan Chaplain of the Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese.
In his vote of thanks, Fr. Nwankwo returned all glory to God, noting that priesthood was not his making.
‘These 25 years have been about service – to the sick, to my brother priests, to families, and now to the good people of Ichida. I am grateful to my Bishop, Most Rev. Ezeokafor, for his fatherly support; to His Eminence, Cardinal Okpaleke, for his presence; and to my classmate and friend, Fr. Obinna Dike, for his stirring homily. The work continues,’ he said.
As the celebration wound down, the consensus was clear: Ichida has not only a parish priest, but a bridge-builder whose silver years have been spent between altar and community, clinic and convent, palace and parish.