NATHANIEL IKECHUKWU NDIOKWERE – A BIOGRAPHY BY
BARRISTER DECLAN CHINYERE NDIOKWERE
Our brother Rev. Father (Now Very Rev. Monsignor Nathaniel Ikechukwu Ndiokwere is the 4th of the 7 surviving children of late Udemmadu Gabriel Okereke and Ezinne Janet Ugbala Ndiokwere of Umudiato Orlu LGA Imo State. We were initially 10 boys and had no sister.
Our brother Nath as we all addressed him was actually the one that ‘took the place of the girl’ in the family from the early age and our mother in fact thought played the role of the girl in the family. As each older one took care of the younger brother as ‘baby sitter’, Nath was the only one that took care of two babies. In fact he dropped out of school each time to baby sit two younger ones. More than most of us he took care of most of the domestic chores and cooked and cleaned better. No wonder, he was always very close to our mother! and perhaps our mother had that feeling and conviction that Nath among her children would be the one to take greater care of her at her old age.
Right from his younger years our brother Nath had never hidden his desire for religious life. He was greatly influenced by the Irish Missionaries, Rev. Father and Brothers and started serving at Mass at the age of seven even before he made his first Holy Communion at the age 9. Surprisingly when he I took Entrance Exam and Interview to St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala and was given admission he rejected the offer! His reason? The seminary then was not offering science subjects in its course of studies. He didn’t want to become a priest ignorant of the basic sciences. He attended public school and graduated from B. S. C. Orlu and later joined the senior seminary at Enugu.
Our father was indifferent to our brother’s desire for the priesthood. He would have liked him to become a medical doctor. Our mother did not cherish the idea of priesthood. She loved Nath so much and wanted him to be a professor or doctor and a rich man.
Our senior brother Professor C. L. Ndiokwere then in Germany had secured an overseas scholarship from an organization called ‘Africanuum’ for Nath to study medicine in Germany, but was shocked to learn that his younger brother had ‘secretly’ entered the senior seminary without letting him know. The young man simply sent him a picture he took in his immaculate white priestly or seminarian garb called soutane . He was getting intoxicated with everything ‘priestly’. The urge for the priesthood was irresistible.
A MAN BORN TO LEAD
It seemed that our brother Nath possessed all qualities of good leadership right from infancy. From pre-school days he earned many ‘complementary nicknames’ that pointed to leadership positions. His remarks in class, in groups and among peer groups even up till date are not easily ignored or discarded.
Some of the names included ‘titles’ such as Catechist, Fada, Interpreter, Teacher, Bishop, Archbishop, and Pope. Later in high school and college where he exhibited a stubborn stance during most philosophical and moral arguments his friends and classmates called him many names, including, head-teacher, secretary, chairman, chief, politician, mayor, or president.
Because he associated with his teachers and superiors, many of his classmates didn't trust that he wouldn't share their gossip with authorities. They always believed he would secretly go to the teachers, headmasters, or principals to report them. They regarded him as a "spy." Often teachers delegated their powers to him as monitor or prefect of the class to settle small schoolboys' squabbles. Classmates often called him judge, president, adjudicator, or referee.
In most organizations, unions, or associations in which Nath belonged in school he was usually elected to the post of president, chairman or secretary. He held the post of secretary or president of many of the religious sodalities he belonged - Altar Servers Association, Legion of Mary, St. Jude's Society, Pioneer Abstinence Association, Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart League. He was for many years the secretary of Orlu students' union and the secretary of BSC branch of the Young Catholic Students - Y.C.S. This was an umbrella association that united all Catholic students in mission high schools in the old Catholic dioceses of Owerri, Nigeria.
MAN OF GOD – A REVEREND FATHER
Most of the "religious" nicknames Nath earned in school pointed to his aspirations in life. When he met former schoolmates years later, he recounted once, none was surprised to find him in clerical garb. One primary school friend he met a few years ago recalled he nicknamed him "catechist" or "interpreter" because he always saw him in company of white missionaries. Nath spoke their language and therefore could interpret for them or teach like a catechist.
Although most former classmates and teachers thought he would one day be a Reverend Father, Nath was very slow to claim God chose him from his mother's womb. Some Old Testament prophets had visions and believed God chose them to be God’s spokespersons or "Men of God" before they were born.
Our parents, brothers, cousins and other relations used to recall vividly however, that at the age of 5 or 6 our brother Nath was already showing signs of vocation to religious life. He used to gather smaller kids and taught them how to make the sign of the cross and other prayers. At 6 he could recite the Rosary and the Angelus in Igbo. He also set up "altars" decorated with flowers and candles and "celebrated mass" for the children. He mimicked most actions of the priest at mass, preached to the kids and distributed pieces of bread to them at the end of the mass. That was the "Holy Communion" There was no discrimination against anybody at his children's mass. Each person shared in the "Eucharistic meal."
Sometimes those kids who answered his questions correctly received more shares of the bread and the substitute local bean-cakes when bread was not available. Some of the bean cakes or "akara" used to be some of the leftovers from the share Nath received from our mother. It was the custom those days for mothers to buy and bring home from the market bean cakes for their kids. One of our senior brothers confirmed this story and pointed out how meticulous and conservative Nath was in the preservation of things, including perishable food items. Often he noted some of his bean cakes were eaten by ants as he hid them away to be used in the celebration of his type of "Eucharistic meal or mass." Indeed Nath behaved liked "Fada."
BOLD AND TRANSPARENT CHARACTER
Our brother, up to date is known for his boldness, outspoken and fearless character. In our twisted world of ‘political correctness’ people who feel and think like our brother may often land in trouble! No! Monsignor Ndiokwere is a character to emulate when it comes to boldness and transparency. Good is often rewarded than evil.
Our brother’s boldness and transparent character won the admiration of the white missionaries right from the time he started associating with them as these stories illustrate and there are a lot of lessons the younger generation can draw from then. Most of them stories appear in his memoir “Dilemma of the Man of God”
“How I became a Primary School Teacher”
Rev. Father C.C. Holly, one of the last white principals of BSTC Orlu did not fail to note down the rare virtues he noticed in the young student and senor altar server Nathaniel Ndiokwere before he left Biafra in 1966. This is how our brother recounted his story: :In spite of his unapproachable stance, Father C. C. Holly loved me. He never displayed enthusiasm or allowed anyone to get the impression that one was friendly with him. Only long after he left B.S.T.C. did I realize his deep affection toward me. Father C.C. Holly left Orlu without announcement, ceremony or send-off party.
Then one Monday morning the Headmaster of Holy Trinity Practicing School Mr. Hyacinth Otika came to our house and told me I had a message from Father Holly. I asked if the Father had returned to Nigeria. Wasn't he in Ireland or the United States? The headmaster explained Father Holly wrote his message in his diary, which he left with the fathers at B.S.T.C. In his diary, Father Holly had written notes directing that any available teaching position in the Primary School should be offered to Nathaniel Ndiokwere if Nathaniel wished to be a teacher after his Secondary School.
I was truly surprised because I had never asked Father Holly for any teaching appointment. The offer tempted me and might prove an obstacle on my way to becoming a priest. But the headmaster gave me several days to consider. The following Monday I reported for classes. I became the teacher of Standard Four A in the Senior Primary. My monthly pay was seventeen pounds ten shillings. I opened my first bank account. Although I had already taught, the new experience of being a salaried teacher excited me. I loved it.
Father Holly's unexpected and unsolicited gesture added more flesh to my story about favors I received from the missionaries and had remained fresh in my memory even today. Why did Father Holly offer me a teaching appointment in his school?
He hadn't offered the job to trained teachers fresh from college. Why should an untrained student be preferred to them?”
“Conspiracy to discredit me - Blessing that changed my life.”
“My honesty as well as my outspoken character for which I was known since childhood had often brought me ill luck as well as countless blessings. I am an obedient servant and have never been known to be rebellious. But I lack many other virtues. I am not prudent and never believe in caution. I sometimes look down on people who are less gifted than I in academics. But despite my weaknesses superiors and friends always trusted me. I kept secrets. Companions admired me for my honesty and hated me for my outspokenness.
If Nathaniel was a good student, obedient, law-abiding, and honest, how could it be true that he was nearly expelled from the college? I was accused of instigating a rebellion among my classmates? Bishop Shanahan College like its counterparts elsewhere in Nigeria was known for its discipline and academic excellence. Unlike students of other public schools, Shanahan boys were not known for riots and unruly behavior at sports or other public gatherings. Students who were unruly at games and sports were often expelled from college. Manual labor was part of the college curriculum and any student who dodged labor could be expelled from college.
I was almost expelled from college at the end of my third year because a report was brought against me by the class prefect that I dodged labor and conspired with other members of our class to mass-boycott a Saturday manual labor! I was summoned before the Principal – Rev. Brother Justin - on Monday morning as I entered the class. The dialog:
Principal: I heard you called a meeting of your classmates and urged them to disregard the orders of the labor master. That you were complaining that the labor master hated Class 3A and always assigned the class the worst labor. You refused to wash the "cells" (pit toilets) assigned to you and instructed others not to wash theirs…
Nathaniel: (dumbfounded and terrified) No Brother…
Principal: (furious) If it is not because of your brother and family I would have expelled you!
Nathaniel: (weeping) No Brother. It is not true. No. It didn't happen.
Principal: Keep quiet. You have to do 3-day manual labor. After that you come to the office and tell your side of the story.
Nathaniel: Oh! Brother…
Principal: Get out of my office. Go and meet the labor master.
Honesty is the best policy
I went out of the office crestfallen. According to the rule we were taught, you must "obey before you complain." In other words I must complete my punishment before approaching the principal to tell my own side of the story. Most of my friends and classmates in the boarding school had told me what happened behind my back. So having been forewarned I was forearmed. I completed the punishment and went to the office to see the principal on the fourth day.
Principal: Okay tell your story. (As he closed the door of the office and carefully listened to me.)
Nathaniel: Brother, the whole story was a fabrication by the prefect, Augustine Obiajulu. He was the one who called out the entire class to a secret place in the Biology hall for a meeting against the labor master. He told us the labor master hated our class and always assigned the class the worst labor on Saturdays. (The college operated pit-toilets. Boys didn't usually like washing the toilets, since most of the users mess them up. Often there was no water on the compound and each student had to fetch water from a near-by stream to wash the toilets. This usually took a lot of time to complete.)
Principal: Did you say that the class prefect called a meeting?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother. He told us that no member of our class - 3A should wash the toilets, damn the consequences.
Principal: (full of disbelief) Yes. Continue!
Nathaniel: I was the only person who raised a voice against his instruction. I spoke and everyone was there. I told the prefect I would not disobey the labor master. I would select four toilets and wash. Period! And I did my labor. Surely the prefect was angry with me. So he concocted his story to harm me. This is all, Brother.
Recipient of college scholarship
Satisfied, the Principal dismissed me and never questioned me further about the case. Then before the promotion exams only a month to the end of the academic year, I was told that the principal wanted to see me in the office.
Principal: What class are you doing?
Nathaniel: Three
Principal: You are a day student?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother?
Principal: You are supposed to pack into the boarding school in the fifth year?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother.
Principal: Okay, you should come into the boarding school at the beginning of your fourth year.
Nathaniel: How, Brother?
Principal: You have been awarded the college scholarship until you finish your course in B.S.C.
I could not believe my ears. I went home and told my parents. They were overjoyed that my honesty had brought fortune to our family. It was a big relief to my father who alone was paying our school fees.
From day-student to high school prefect
The following year I packed my belongings to the college like any boarding student. News circulated that Nathaniel was the new class prefect of 4A, replacing Augustine Obiajulu. While the principal told me about the scholarship he never mentioned anything about the prefectship. I never expected it. When I checked the notice board, my name was listed as the Prefect of Class 4A.
In those days, the best students were listed in 'A' classes while the rest were in 'B'. 'A' prefects were more powerful and respected than their B counterparts. As class 4 A prefect, I was destined the following year to become Class 5A prefect, the most powerful figure in the college outside the principal.
Augustine Obiajulu, the demoted prefect, was the biggest and oldest student in our class. He was about 19 when the youngest among us was 13. Classmates teased him. They brought old razor blades to class and asked him to shave his beard! He often beat up his taunters and bullied smaller kids. After his demotion, he had to obey my orders for the remaining 2 years of secondary school. Despite his earlier treachery I never revenged his lies against me.
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL'S CONFIDANTE
“The Principal's affection toward me grew. He and his co-Marist Brothers bestowed trust and admiration on me. I felt like a king among my classmates and co-prefects.
The principal had faith I would never betray his trust nor share our secrets with anybody. So he appointed me his special "clerk" (similar to a confidential secretary). "This is like "confessional secret. Never abuse these privileges," he warned me, staring into my eyes! "Do you understand"? "Yes, Brother," I answered, frightened. What "special assignments" did he plan for me? Could I live up to expectations?
The college had a clerk. He was from the town. We all knew him and he always typed documents and perhaps compiled the students' results and so on. He worked in the inner part of the Principal's office. He rarely talked to students and we were told that his small office was out of bounds to students. That rule was obvious to most of us. There were secret documents there and the small office looked like a KGB or CIA secret office. The cupboards contained thousands of files and documents, which had been accumulating since the college was founded in 1949.
We believed that the college clerk never held the key to the principal's office, which led into the smaller one - the clerk's office. When he came to work in the morning the college clerk waited outside the office until the principal or the senior prefect came and opened the office to let in. As the principal and the "office boys" guarded this part of the college building, it was clear that the principal's office was not for everyone. But why I was made the principal's special assistant when the clerk as well as the other Brothers were there really baffled me.
During siesta, games, and manual labor the principal would lock me inside the clerk's office. The clerk usually went home at 2 PM. I never worked together with him. "Sit down there. Listen to what I want you to do," introduced each day's special task. I compiled exam results and grades, even for students in grades ahead of me. I knew who would be expelled at the end of the year. No one, not even my closest friends had any idea of the scope of my knowledge. I kept the secret. Nobody saw when I entered or left the office. Sometimes the principal came in unexpectedly startling me. "Have you finished, Ah?" "Yes Brother." Then he let me out.
Once, the principal was delayed and I had to wait a long time, locked inside the office. I was hungry, thirsty, and bored. I could not even look out of the window because if someone saw me inside the clerk's office, they would raise alarm. But overall, the principal treated me well, giving me money and rewards for my extra work. I lacked nothing.
My special relationship with the principal as his special clerk enhanced my influence as class 5A prefect over the boys. Even the Upper Six prefect (the most senior at the college) delegated most of his powers to me because he admired my efficiency. I often made decisions or punished offending students without consulting my superiors.”
SPECIAL RECTOR’S CONFIDANT IN ROME
“God's goodness followed me to Rome when I arrived in Rome in 1973 to continue my priestly studies and where the rector of Collegio De Propaganda Fide Father Pellegrino Ronchi favored me with his friendship and guidance. He took great interest in me. I struggled to speak good Italian whenever I visited him in his office. He understood and spoke good English since he worked for many years in India. He didn't worry if students spoke to him in English, but he encouraged students to speak the official language. I attended daily morning masses. After our ordination I always concelebrated with fellow priests at the community mass. I attended all rectors' conferences.
Although I was not one of the college 'Incaricati' (hostel prefects) I helped in many areas of college life. I was the first to accept the challenge to preach during one of the evening devotions. I typed my "sermon" which I titled "Indifferentismo nella vita christiana." In my elementary and unpolished Italian I addressed the issue which worried me most as a new arrival in Rome: the indifferent or uncommitted type of life Christians of all walks of life showed. For example, people did not try to stop fights or quarrels. If the police were not around, thieves robbed you and fled. Few people bothered to stop a thief. It was none of their business.
Students and vice-rectors who had not attended the evening service later heard about the sermon I gave, and asked for copies. The rector took note of my courage. He subsequently invited me to preach often at some of college masses.
THE RECTOR AND HIS NEW SPECIAL AIDE
After those incidents my good relationship with our rector increased by leaps and bounds. He often visited me in my room and we chatted like equals. He was pleased whenever I visited him in his office. He would quietly close the door and place a notice outside the office door: "Non disturbare" (Don't disturb).
During my visits with the rector, we often engaged in causal and serious theological debates. The rector was often amused by what he called my extremist views on certain theological issues. I purposely used to "invent" some to tease him.
During most of our debates he assumed the extreme orthodox position while I remained on the extreme left. I could have been a communist in clerical garb, he thought!
Once he predicted that I would never become a bishop. The topic of our 'disputation' was "the covetous office of the bishop." Most of my views made him, as well as some professors, uncomfortable. I made it categorically clear to him that I was never interested in such offices. I believed bishops spent more time quarreling with priests and attending meetings and conferences than in discharging duties as credible pastors of souls. To be made bishop, one should be ultra orthodox in manners and doctrines. Keeping up such pretense would be too much of a burden for me, more than I was willing to bear to achieve that exalted position of honor in church hierarchy.
In Africa, and Nigeria in particular to become a bishop, the candidate has to forego much of his freedom - freedom of speech - freedom to engage in some hobbies - freedom to play games and engage in recreational activities - eat publicly - dress casually, or engage in some other activities seen by some African bishopric candidates as "mundane" practices. In the West these activities are "normal" and are open to the clerics as well as lay people. I told the rector I would not like to be isolated from my community and people and the world around me and be imprisoned in a mansion. By nature I am outspoken and therefore would not like to be investigated by the Holy Office if I were to occupy an exalted and highly contested office of the bishop. It would be a miserable life for me as a cleric.
On his own part I told my rector that he had all the qualities required of the office of the bishop. Although not conservative in his theological views, the rector agreed with me in most of the things I said, but he was always cautious when discussing serious church issues with me. I was not surprised that after a few years I left Rome he was made bishop. In a congratulatory message I sent him, I told him to wait for a bigger office, more than that of the Archbishop. I had no illusions that one day my former rector and great friend could become the pope or at least a cardinal.
Most of other discussions I used to have with the rector centered on more serious and delicate issues. He decided that I should become his close adviser or aide. I had already carried out similar office when I was in high school in Nigeria. In Rome I helped the rector in the screening of students - priests and seminarians coming from Nigeria.
HOW I GOT BIG MONEY AND SWISS BENEFACTOR
A group of German and Swiss benefactors and pilgrims visited the Propaganda Fide for a serious discussion with the rector and officials.
The Germans did not speak Italian or English. The rector summoned me to interpret and translate. He had seen me with German theology books and magazines. I could not have performed like professional translators at the United Nations. But the rector and German and Swiss visitors were impressed by my efforts as I went from German to Italian and English.
One evening about two months after that translation exercise the rector summoned me to his office. He said I had good news from a priest in Switzerland. One Swiss Lady named Anne Langholt had lost her husband in a tragic accident. For a long time she grieved over the death of her sweetheart and could not be consoled. Then an idea came to her. Both husband and wife were good Catholics.
Lady Langholt wanted a priest to celebrate masses for her husband to keep good memories in her mind. She related her intention to her parish priest who wrote the rector requesting a priest preferably African who could help Lady Langholt. The African priest should speak German and must promise to visit Lady Langholt in Bazenheid, near Saint Gallen, in the German-speaking Swiss province. She and the African priest would visit the grave of Herr Langholt and pray for him in the cemetery. The lucky priest would receive 10,000 Swiss francs (equivalent of $6,500 those days).
The rector soon figured out who qualified for the offer. When I went to his office, he gave me the letter from Lady Langholt's parish priest, who would be visiting Rome that summer, giving wonderful opportunity to meet the priest and arrange how to visit lady Langholt.
I enjoyed visiting the mountainous region of Switzerland. They grazed a lot of cattle there and the people claimed I was the first black person they had seen in their area. Unfortunately I did not like their food. It contained a lot of dairy products. The lady who cooked for the pastor was not a kind fellow. She could not understand why I rejected most of the food she cooked.
Generally the people were very friendly. Some families invited me for dinner. Others took me to various places of interest, including old churches, museums, and parks. I received gifts from the people. But the biggest was the money from Lady Langholt. That large sum of money helped meet most of my needs as a student for a good length of time.
“FAITH WIHOUT GOOD WORKS …….”
Our brother Msgr. N. I. Ndiokwere is a man of faith and believes firmly that faith and good works go together. As an ordinary layman he is a philanthropist at the service of the poor and community.
Those he has helped with whatever resources he has possessed can better give the testimony, for truly in this area he has shown more interest to ‘outsiders’ than to those nearest to him. Our brother does not blow his trumpet. He believes in the gospel injunction that the right hand should not know what the left gives and that the Lord who sees in secret should reward the cheerful giver. He privately and publicly criticizes and cajoles the rich among us who fails to practice charity. Rhetorically he joins the gospel questioner ‘what will it profit a man if he enjoys all the wealth and suffers the loss of his soul?
PUTTING THOUGHTS INTO WRITING
Our brother Msgr Ndiokwere is no doubt a writer. He believes in putting thoughts into writing and started developing this talent during the Biafra War when he bought an 80-leave page note book and gave it a title: Biafra War Story – A Documentary. In it he recorded as much as he could all the war events that came across him. Unfortunately the note book he neatly preserved in a wooden box before leaving for Rome in 1973 was eaten by ants. He was prepared to publish the precious stories he had recorded when he returned from Europe in 1979. What a disappointment!
The successful publication of my first book - Prophecy and Revolution - increased my urge to respond to the challenges of our professors while I studied in Rome. That urge was behind my efforts expressed in the two volumes of The African Church, Today and Tomorrow which examined the prospects of the Christian Church and challenges facing the Church in Africa. Prophecy and Revolution looked like a success story and he was encouraged to continue the adventure, namely to write more.
Since then Msgr Ndiokwere, the writer has published many other books and articles in renowned newspapers and magazines. Topics he treats in his books and articles are read and appreciated within and outside Nigeria. Most of his books, including Prophecy and Revolution, Search for Greener Pastures, Gateway to Success in English Language, Comprehensive Latin Course for Schools and Colleges and Only in Nigeria have been reprinted several times and are actually secondary and college textbooks.
ANTI CORRUPTION – ANTI NIGERIAN CRITIC
Monsignor Ndiokwere does not tolerate any type of crooked attitude in his dealings with anyone, junior or superior. Even though he admits that not all white people are ‘godly’ or without flaws he maintains that the worst among them may after all be better than black people. He proudly claims among his
students that he is “white man in black skin”, another nickname after “Allora!”
“Allora” cherishes honesty, straightforward answer to a straightforward question. He abhors lies and stands by the truth no matter whose horse is gored. He is an anti-corruption campaigner. As he believes that Nigerians are corrupt to the core he always tries to disassociate himself from anything ‘Nigerian’, hence his well-known write-ups “Only in Nigeria”, where he consistently and publicly exposes and criticizes Nigeria’s nauseating incurable malaise, bribery and corruption, including fallen standard of education even in high institutions of learning in the country.
His “Anti-Nigerian stance” manifests in the way he shuns flamboyancy, celebrations in Nigerian style, rush for honor and titles. That was his reason (or protest) for refusing to announce and celebrate publicly the 25th Anniversary of his priesthood when it was due. Only few of his friends and parishioners were there for the mass. None of his brothers or relations knew what happened.
GENERAL
It would be interesting to read some extracts from some direct questions put to our brother towards the end of this write up. His reactions on:
“Job” Satisfaction: “ I am a happy Man of God and have no regrets taking up the Vocation. In spite of certain failures and contradictions in personal lives of Clergy and Church in general, I am not scared. I know who the Lord is and what the Vocation is all about.
Greatest Challenge that has faced you as a Priest: I have spent nearly 19 years as Seminary Formator. There have been ups and downs but I believe I have had more successes than failures. The majority of young Priests in the Diocese are my ‘Boys” and we interact well. Many ex-seminarians who did not make it remain good Christians in various professions .
Highest Points: I have had the ability, energy and scotching zeal to work for the Diocese in this area of forming the young seminarians. I had the opportunity to study abroad and that was a great advantage. I have had the right exposure. For many years in the Lord’s vineyard, I have been able to combine ‘Rectorship’, ‘Classroom teaching’, ‘Pastoral work’, ‘Contract Work’, and ‘Writing’. It has not been easy, but fulfilling anyway.
Lowest Moments: Being sent back to the seminary after serving in the same institution for 16 years was “humiliating” ! But others saw it as a “challenge” and well-conceived by the competent authorities.
Vocation Boom or doom? Vocation “boom”: Never “doom”.
It is always possible to separate wheat from cockle. The world is like this and the Church is not exempt. We desperately need more priests and we must encourage the young ones to embrace the vocation and help to form them well. They have to replace us, no doubt. The younger Churches should continue to train priests to help Europe and America as they helped us, no matter prejudices and insincerity on the part of the West.
Fears about the future: The Nigerian Church is still a ‘foreign’ institution, hence the embarrassing interests in ‘Status quo’, titles, offices, structures. Nothing to worry about, “Pentecostalism” is part of the “signs of the times”. Quest for money or material wealth is worrisome. Little love for the flock. Everyone is chasing money, titles and cheap popularity. The ‘Pastoral” has been relegated to the background. But our people still love us. They are the same Igbo people who value “Umunna”, and don’t throw away the “handicapped” or the aged. If you are honest, humble, hardworking, charitable, self-sacrificing and less a “Nigerian” and “Igbo”, you will succeed and you will win the hearts of our people, though some people are messing the ‘profession’ up. It is just like asking “Do you love Nigeria”. Personally, I love the profession and have no regrets. The young priests must curtail appetite for wealth and flamboyancy. The present style of formation is poor. Few role models! Nothing to write home about! Must be re-examined and overhauled. There is need to take note of the “signs of the times”
BARRISTER DECLAN CHINYERE NDIOKWERE
Our brother Rev. Father (Now Very Rev. Monsignor Nathaniel Ikechukwu Ndiokwere is the 4th of the 7 surviving children of late Udemmadu Gabriel Okereke and Ezinne Janet Ugbala Ndiokwere of Umudiato Orlu LGA Imo State. We were initially 10 boys and had no sister.
Our brother Nath as we all addressed him was actually the one that ‘took the place of the girl’ in the family from the early age and our mother in fact thought played the role of the girl in the family. As each older one took care of the younger brother as ‘baby sitter’, Nath was the only one that took care of two babies. In fact he dropped out of school each time to baby sit two younger ones. More than most of us he took care of most of the domestic chores and cooked and cleaned better. No wonder, he was always very close to our mother! and perhaps our mother had that feeling and conviction that Nath among her children would be the one to take greater care of her at her old age.
Right from his younger years our brother Nath had never hidden his desire for religious life. He was greatly influenced by the Irish Missionaries, Rev. Father and Brothers and started serving at Mass at the age of seven even before he made his first Holy Communion at the age 9. Surprisingly when he I took Entrance Exam and Interview to St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala and was given admission he rejected the offer! His reason? The seminary then was not offering science subjects in its course of studies. He didn’t want to become a priest ignorant of the basic sciences. He attended public school and graduated from B. S. C. Orlu and later joined the senior seminary at Enugu.
Our father was indifferent to our brother’s desire for the priesthood. He would have liked him to become a medical doctor. Our mother did not cherish the idea of priesthood. She loved Nath so much and wanted him to be a professor or doctor and a rich man.
Our senior brother Professor C. L. Ndiokwere then in Germany had secured an overseas scholarship from an organization called ‘Africanuum’ for Nath to study medicine in Germany, but was shocked to learn that his younger brother had ‘secretly’ entered the senior seminary without letting him know. The young man simply sent him a picture he took in his immaculate white priestly or seminarian garb called soutane . He was getting intoxicated with everything ‘priestly’. The urge for the priesthood was irresistible.
A MAN BORN TO LEAD
It seemed that our brother Nath possessed all qualities of good leadership right from infancy. From pre-school days he earned many ‘complementary nicknames’ that pointed to leadership positions. His remarks in class, in groups and among peer groups even up till date are not easily ignored or discarded.
Some of the names included ‘titles’ such as Catechist, Fada, Interpreter, Teacher, Bishop, Archbishop, and Pope. Later in high school and college where he exhibited a stubborn stance during most philosophical and moral arguments his friends and classmates called him many names, including, head-teacher, secretary, chairman, chief, politician, mayor, or president.
Because he associated with his teachers and superiors, many of his classmates didn't trust that he wouldn't share their gossip with authorities. They always believed he would secretly go to the teachers, headmasters, or principals to report them. They regarded him as a "spy." Often teachers delegated their powers to him as monitor or prefect of the class to settle small schoolboys' squabbles. Classmates often called him judge, president, adjudicator, or referee.
In most organizations, unions, or associations in which Nath belonged in school he was usually elected to the post of president, chairman or secretary. He held the post of secretary or president of many of the religious sodalities he belonged - Altar Servers Association, Legion of Mary, St. Jude's Society, Pioneer Abstinence Association, Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart League. He was for many years the secretary of Orlu students' union and the secretary of BSC branch of the Young Catholic Students - Y.C.S. This was an umbrella association that united all Catholic students in mission high schools in the old Catholic dioceses of Owerri, Nigeria.
MAN OF GOD – A REVEREND FATHER
Most of the "religious" nicknames Nath earned in school pointed to his aspirations in life. When he met former schoolmates years later, he recounted once, none was surprised to find him in clerical garb. One primary school friend he met a few years ago recalled he nicknamed him "catechist" or "interpreter" because he always saw him in company of white missionaries. Nath spoke their language and therefore could interpret for them or teach like a catechist.
Although most former classmates and teachers thought he would one day be a Reverend Father, Nath was very slow to claim God chose him from his mother's womb. Some Old Testament prophets had visions and believed God chose them to be God’s spokespersons or "Men of God" before they were born.
Our parents, brothers, cousins and other relations used to recall vividly however, that at the age of 5 or 6 our brother Nath was already showing signs of vocation to religious life. He used to gather smaller kids and taught them how to make the sign of the cross and other prayers. At 6 he could recite the Rosary and the Angelus in Igbo. He also set up "altars" decorated with flowers and candles and "celebrated mass" for the children. He mimicked most actions of the priest at mass, preached to the kids and distributed pieces of bread to them at the end of the mass. That was the "Holy Communion" There was no discrimination against anybody at his children's mass. Each person shared in the "Eucharistic meal."
Sometimes those kids who answered his questions correctly received more shares of the bread and the substitute local bean-cakes when bread was not available. Some of the bean cakes or "akara" used to be some of the leftovers from the share Nath received from our mother. It was the custom those days for mothers to buy and bring home from the market bean cakes for their kids. One of our senior brothers confirmed this story and pointed out how meticulous and conservative Nath was in the preservation of things, including perishable food items. Often he noted some of his bean cakes were eaten by ants as he hid them away to be used in the celebration of his type of "Eucharistic meal or mass." Indeed Nath behaved liked "Fada."
BOLD AND TRANSPARENT CHARACTER
Our brother, up to date is known for his boldness, outspoken and fearless character. In our twisted world of ‘political correctness’ people who feel and think like our brother may often land in trouble! No! Monsignor Ndiokwere is a character to emulate when it comes to boldness and transparency. Good is often rewarded than evil.
Our brother’s boldness and transparent character won the admiration of the white missionaries right from the time he started associating with them as these stories illustrate and there are a lot of lessons the younger generation can draw from then. Most of them stories appear in his memoir “Dilemma of the Man of God”
“How I became a Primary School Teacher”
Rev. Father C.C. Holly, one of the last white principals of BSTC Orlu did not fail to note down the rare virtues he noticed in the young student and senor altar server Nathaniel Ndiokwere before he left Biafra in 1966. This is how our brother recounted his story: :In spite of his unapproachable stance, Father C. C. Holly loved me. He never displayed enthusiasm or allowed anyone to get the impression that one was friendly with him. Only long after he left B.S.T.C. did I realize his deep affection toward me. Father C.C. Holly left Orlu without announcement, ceremony or send-off party.
Then one Monday morning the Headmaster of Holy Trinity Practicing School Mr. Hyacinth Otika came to our house and told me I had a message from Father Holly. I asked if the Father had returned to Nigeria. Wasn't he in Ireland or the United States? The headmaster explained Father Holly wrote his message in his diary, which he left with the fathers at B.S.T.C. In his diary, Father Holly had written notes directing that any available teaching position in the Primary School should be offered to Nathaniel Ndiokwere if Nathaniel wished to be a teacher after his Secondary School.
I was truly surprised because I had never asked Father Holly for any teaching appointment. The offer tempted me and might prove an obstacle on my way to becoming a priest. But the headmaster gave me several days to consider. The following Monday I reported for classes. I became the teacher of Standard Four A in the Senior Primary. My monthly pay was seventeen pounds ten shillings. I opened my first bank account. Although I had already taught, the new experience of being a salaried teacher excited me. I loved it.
Father Holly's unexpected and unsolicited gesture added more flesh to my story about favors I received from the missionaries and had remained fresh in my memory even today. Why did Father Holly offer me a teaching appointment in his school?
He hadn't offered the job to trained teachers fresh from college. Why should an untrained student be preferred to them?”
“Conspiracy to discredit me - Blessing that changed my life.”
“My honesty as well as my outspoken character for which I was known since childhood had often brought me ill luck as well as countless blessings. I am an obedient servant and have never been known to be rebellious. But I lack many other virtues. I am not prudent and never believe in caution. I sometimes look down on people who are less gifted than I in academics. But despite my weaknesses superiors and friends always trusted me. I kept secrets. Companions admired me for my honesty and hated me for my outspokenness.
If Nathaniel was a good student, obedient, law-abiding, and honest, how could it be true that he was nearly expelled from the college? I was accused of instigating a rebellion among my classmates? Bishop Shanahan College like its counterparts elsewhere in Nigeria was known for its discipline and academic excellence. Unlike students of other public schools, Shanahan boys were not known for riots and unruly behavior at sports or other public gatherings. Students who were unruly at games and sports were often expelled from college. Manual labor was part of the college curriculum and any student who dodged labor could be expelled from college.
I was almost expelled from college at the end of my third year because a report was brought against me by the class prefect that I dodged labor and conspired with other members of our class to mass-boycott a Saturday manual labor! I was summoned before the Principal – Rev. Brother Justin - on Monday morning as I entered the class. The dialog:
Principal: I heard you called a meeting of your classmates and urged them to disregard the orders of the labor master. That you were complaining that the labor master hated Class 3A and always assigned the class the worst labor. You refused to wash the "cells" (pit toilets) assigned to you and instructed others not to wash theirs…
Nathaniel: (dumbfounded and terrified) No Brother…
Principal: (furious) If it is not because of your brother and family I would have expelled you!
Nathaniel: (weeping) No Brother. It is not true. No. It didn't happen.
Principal: Keep quiet. You have to do 3-day manual labor. After that you come to the office and tell your side of the story.
Nathaniel: Oh! Brother…
Principal: Get out of my office. Go and meet the labor master.
Honesty is the best policy
I went out of the office crestfallen. According to the rule we were taught, you must "obey before you complain." In other words I must complete my punishment before approaching the principal to tell my own side of the story. Most of my friends and classmates in the boarding school had told me what happened behind my back. So having been forewarned I was forearmed. I completed the punishment and went to the office to see the principal on the fourth day.
Principal: Okay tell your story. (As he closed the door of the office and carefully listened to me.)
Nathaniel: Brother, the whole story was a fabrication by the prefect, Augustine Obiajulu. He was the one who called out the entire class to a secret place in the Biology hall for a meeting against the labor master. He told us the labor master hated our class and always assigned the class the worst labor on Saturdays. (The college operated pit-toilets. Boys didn't usually like washing the toilets, since most of the users mess them up. Often there was no water on the compound and each student had to fetch water from a near-by stream to wash the toilets. This usually took a lot of time to complete.)
Principal: Did you say that the class prefect called a meeting?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother. He told us that no member of our class - 3A should wash the toilets, damn the consequences.
Principal: (full of disbelief) Yes. Continue!
Nathaniel: I was the only person who raised a voice against his instruction. I spoke and everyone was there. I told the prefect I would not disobey the labor master. I would select four toilets and wash. Period! And I did my labor. Surely the prefect was angry with me. So he concocted his story to harm me. This is all, Brother.
Recipient of college scholarship
Satisfied, the Principal dismissed me and never questioned me further about the case. Then before the promotion exams only a month to the end of the academic year, I was told that the principal wanted to see me in the office.
Principal: What class are you doing?
Nathaniel: Three
Principal: You are a day student?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother?
Principal: You are supposed to pack into the boarding school in the fifth year?
Nathaniel: Yes, Brother.
Principal: Okay, you should come into the boarding school at the beginning of your fourth year.
Nathaniel: How, Brother?
Principal: You have been awarded the college scholarship until you finish your course in B.S.C.
I could not believe my ears. I went home and told my parents. They were overjoyed that my honesty had brought fortune to our family. It was a big relief to my father who alone was paying our school fees.
From day-student to high school prefect
The following year I packed my belongings to the college like any boarding student. News circulated that Nathaniel was the new class prefect of 4A, replacing Augustine Obiajulu. While the principal told me about the scholarship he never mentioned anything about the prefectship. I never expected it. When I checked the notice board, my name was listed as the Prefect of Class 4A.
In those days, the best students were listed in 'A' classes while the rest were in 'B'. 'A' prefects were more powerful and respected than their B counterparts. As class 4 A prefect, I was destined the following year to become Class 5A prefect, the most powerful figure in the college outside the principal.
Augustine Obiajulu, the demoted prefect, was the biggest and oldest student in our class. He was about 19 when the youngest among us was 13. Classmates teased him. They brought old razor blades to class and asked him to shave his beard! He often beat up his taunters and bullied smaller kids. After his demotion, he had to obey my orders for the remaining 2 years of secondary school. Despite his earlier treachery I never revenged his lies against me.
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL'S CONFIDANTE
“The Principal's affection toward me grew. He and his co-Marist Brothers bestowed trust and admiration on me. I felt like a king among my classmates and co-prefects.
The principal had faith I would never betray his trust nor share our secrets with anybody. So he appointed me his special "clerk" (similar to a confidential secretary). "This is like "confessional secret. Never abuse these privileges," he warned me, staring into my eyes! "Do you understand"? "Yes, Brother," I answered, frightened. What "special assignments" did he plan for me? Could I live up to expectations?
The college had a clerk. He was from the town. We all knew him and he always typed documents and perhaps compiled the students' results and so on. He worked in the inner part of the Principal's office. He rarely talked to students and we were told that his small office was out of bounds to students. That rule was obvious to most of us. There were secret documents there and the small office looked like a KGB or CIA secret office. The cupboards contained thousands of files and documents, which had been accumulating since the college was founded in 1949.
We believed that the college clerk never held the key to the principal's office, which led into the smaller one - the clerk's office. When he came to work in the morning the college clerk waited outside the office until the principal or the senior prefect came and opened the office to let in. As the principal and the "office boys" guarded this part of the college building, it was clear that the principal's office was not for everyone. But why I was made the principal's special assistant when the clerk as well as the other Brothers were there really baffled me.
During siesta, games, and manual labor the principal would lock me inside the clerk's office. The clerk usually went home at 2 PM. I never worked together with him. "Sit down there. Listen to what I want you to do," introduced each day's special task. I compiled exam results and grades, even for students in grades ahead of me. I knew who would be expelled at the end of the year. No one, not even my closest friends had any idea of the scope of my knowledge. I kept the secret. Nobody saw when I entered or left the office. Sometimes the principal came in unexpectedly startling me. "Have you finished, Ah?" "Yes Brother." Then he let me out.
Once, the principal was delayed and I had to wait a long time, locked inside the office. I was hungry, thirsty, and bored. I could not even look out of the window because if someone saw me inside the clerk's office, they would raise alarm. But overall, the principal treated me well, giving me money and rewards for my extra work. I lacked nothing.
My special relationship with the principal as his special clerk enhanced my influence as class 5A prefect over the boys. Even the Upper Six prefect (the most senior at the college) delegated most of his powers to me because he admired my efficiency. I often made decisions or punished offending students without consulting my superiors.”
SPECIAL RECTOR’S CONFIDANT IN ROME
“God's goodness followed me to Rome when I arrived in Rome in 1973 to continue my priestly studies and where the rector of Collegio De Propaganda Fide Father Pellegrino Ronchi favored me with his friendship and guidance. He took great interest in me. I struggled to speak good Italian whenever I visited him in his office. He understood and spoke good English since he worked for many years in India. He didn't worry if students spoke to him in English, but he encouraged students to speak the official language. I attended daily morning masses. After our ordination I always concelebrated with fellow priests at the community mass. I attended all rectors' conferences.
Although I was not one of the college 'Incaricati' (hostel prefects) I helped in many areas of college life. I was the first to accept the challenge to preach during one of the evening devotions. I typed my "sermon" which I titled "Indifferentismo nella vita christiana." In my elementary and unpolished Italian I addressed the issue which worried me most as a new arrival in Rome: the indifferent or uncommitted type of life Christians of all walks of life showed. For example, people did not try to stop fights or quarrels. If the police were not around, thieves robbed you and fled. Few people bothered to stop a thief. It was none of their business.
Students and vice-rectors who had not attended the evening service later heard about the sermon I gave, and asked for copies. The rector took note of my courage. He subsequently invited me to preach often at some of college masses.
THE RECTOR AND HIS NEW SPECIAL AIDE
After those incidents my good relationship with our rector increased by leaps and bounds. He often visited me in my room and we chatted like equals. He was pleased whenever I visited him in his office. He would quietly close the door and place a notice outside the office door: "Non disturbare" (Don't disturb).
During my visits with the rector, we often engaged in causal and serious theological debates. The rector was often amused by what he called my extremist views on certain theological issues. I purposely used to "invent" some to tease him.
During most of our debates he assumed the extreme orthodox position while I remained on the extreme left. I could have been a communist in clerical garb, he thought!
Once he predicted that I would never become a bishop. The topic of our 'disputation' was "the covetous office of the bishop." Most of my views made him, as well as some professors, uncomfortable. I made it categorically clear to him that I was never interested in such offices. I believed bishops spent more time quarreling with priests and attending meetings and conferences than in discharging duties as credible pastors of souls. To be made bishop, one should be ultra orthodox in manners and doctrines. Keeping up such pretense would be too much of a burden for me, more than I was willing to bear to achieve that exalted position of honor in church hierarchy.
In Africa, and Nigeria in particular to become a bishop, the candidate has to forego much of his freedom - freedom of speech - freedom to engage in some hobbies - freedom to play games and engage in recreational activities - eat publicly - dress casually, or engage in some other activities seen by some African bishopric candidates as "mundane" practices. In the West these activities are "normal" and are open to the clerics as well as lay people. I told the rector I would not like to be isolated from my community and people and the world around me and be imprisoned in a mansion. By nature I am outspoken and therefore would not like to be investigated by the Holy Office if I were to occupy an exalted and highly contested office of the bishop. It would be a miserable life for me as a cleric.
On his own part I told my rector that he had all the qualities required of the office of the bishop. Although not conservative in his theological views, the rector agreed with me in most of the things I said, but he was always cautious when discussing serious church issues with me. I was not surprised that after a few years I left Rome he was made bishop. In a congratulatory message I sent him, I told him to wait for a bigger office, more than that of the Archbishop. I had no illusions that one day my former rector and great friend could become the pope or at least a cardinal.
Most of other discussions I used to have with the rector centered on more serious and delicate issues. He decided that I should become his close adviser or aide. I had already carried out similar office when I was in high school in Nigeria. In Rome I helped the rector in the screening of students - priests and seminarians coming from Nigeria.
HOW I GOT BIG MONEY AND SWISS BENEFACTOR
A group of German and Swiss benefactors and pilgrims visited the Propaganda Fide for a serious discussion with the rector and officials.
The Germans did not speak Italian or English. The rector summoned me to interpret and translate. He had seen me with German theology books and magazines. I could not have performed like professional translators at the United Nations. But the rector and German and Swiss visitors were impressed by my efforts as I went from German to Italian and English.
One evening about two months after that translation exercise the rector summoned me to his office. He said I had good news from a priest in Switzerland. One Swiss Lady named Anne Langholt had lost her husband in a tragic accident. For a long time she grieved over the death of her sweetheart and could not be consoled. Then an idea came to her. Both husband and wife were good Catholics.
Lady Langholt wanted a priest to celebrate masses for her husband to keep good memories in her mind. She related her intention to her parish priest who wrote the rector requesting a priest preferably African who could help Lady Langholt. The African priest should speak German and must promise to visit Lady Langholt in Bazenheid, near Saint Gallen, in the German-speaking Swiss province. She and the African priest would visit the grave of Herr Langholt and pray for him in the cemetery. The lucky priest would receive 10,000 Swiss francs (equivalent of $6,500 those days).
The rector soon figured out who qualified for the offer. When I went to his office, he gave me the letter from Lady Langholt's parish priest, who would be visiting Rome that summer, giving wonderful opportunity to meet the priest and arrange how to visit lady Langholt.
I enjoyed visiting the mountainous region of Switzerland. They grazed a lot of cattle there and the people claimed I was the first black person they had seen in their area. Unfortunately I did not like their food. It contained a lot of dairy products. The lady who cooked for the pastor was not a kind fellow. She could not understand why I rejected most of the food she cooked.
Generally the people were very friendly. Some families invited me for dinner. Others took me to various places of interest, including old churches, museums, and parks. I received gifts from the people. But the biggest was the money from Lady Langholt. That large sum of money helped meet most of my needs as a student for a good length of time.
“FAITH WIHOUT GOOD WORKS …….”
Our brother Msgr. N. I. Ndiokwere is a man of faith and believes firmly that faith and good works go together. As an ordinary layman he is a philanthropist at the service of the poor and community.
Those he has helped with whatever resources he has possessed can better give the testimony, for truly in this area he has shown more interest to ‘outsiders’ than to those nearest to him. Our brother does not blow his trumpet. He believes in the gospel injunction that the right hand should not know what the left gives and that the Lord who sees in secret should reward the cheerful giver. He privately and publicly criticizes and cajoles the rich among us who fails to practice charity. Rhetorically he joins the gospel questioner ‘what will it profit a man if he enjoys all the wealth and suffers the loss of his soul?
PUTTING THOUGHTS INTO WRITING
Our brother Msgr Ndiokwere is no doubt a writer. He believes in putting thoughts into writing and started developing this talent during the Biafra War when he bought an 80-leave page note book and gave it a title: Biafra War Story – A Documentary. In it he recorded as much as he could all the war events that came across him. Unfortunately the note book he neatly preserved in a wooden box before leaving for Rome in 1973 was eaten by ants. He was prepared to publish the precious stories he had recorded when he returned from Europe in 1979. What a disappointment!
The successful publication of my first book - Prophecy and Revolution - increased my urge to respond to the challenges of our professors while I studied in Rome. That urge was behind my efforts expressed in the two volumes of The African Church, Today and Tomorrow which examined the prospects of the Christian Church and challenges facing the Church in Africa. Prophecy and Revolution looked like a success story and he was encouraged to continue the adventure, namely to write more.
Since then Msgr Ndiokwere, the writer has published many other books and articles in renowned newspapers and magazines. Topics he treats in his books and articles are read and appreciated within and outside Nigeria. Most of his books, including Prophecy and Revolution, Search for Greener Pastures, Gateway to Success in English Language, Comprehensive Latin Course for Schools and Colleges and Only in Nigeria have been reprinted several times and are actually secondary and college textbooks.
ANTI CORRUPTION – ANTI NIGERIAN CRITIC
Monsignor Ndiokwere does not tolerate any type of crooked attitude in his dealings with anyone, junior or superior. Even though he admits that not all white people are ‘godly’ or without flaws he maintains that the worst among them may after all be better than black people. He proudly claims among his
students that he is “white man in black skin”, another nickname after “Allora!”
“Allora” cherishes honesty, straightforward answer to a straightforward question. He abhors lies and stands by the truth no matter whose horse is gored. He is an anti-corruption campaigner. As he believes that Nigerians are corrupt to the core he always tries to disassociate himself from anything ‘Nigerian’, hence his well-known write-ups “Only in Nigeria”, where he consistently and publicly exposes and criticizes Nigeria’s nauseating incurable malaise, bribery and corruption, including fallen standard of education even in high institutions of learning in the country.
His “Anti-Nigerian stance” manifests in the way he shuns flamboyancy, celebrations in Nigerian style, rush for honor and titles. That was his reason (or protest) for refusing to announce and celebrate publicly the 25th Anniversary of his priesthood when it was due. Only few of his friends and parishioners were there for the mass. None of his brothers or relations knew what happened.
GENERAL
It would be interesting to read some extracts from some direct questions put to our brother towards the end of this write up. His reactions on:
“Job” Satisfaction: “ I am a happy Man of God and have no regrets taking up the Vocation. In spite of certain failures and contradictions in personal lives of Clergy and Church in general, I am not scared. I know who the Lord is and what the Vocation is all about.
Greatest Challenge that has faced you as a Priest: I have spent nearly 19 years as Seminary Formator. There have been ups and downs but I believe I have had more successes than failures. The majority of young Priests in the Diocese are my ‘Boys” and we interact well. Many ex-seminarians who did not make it remain good Christians in various professions .
Highest Points: I have had the ability, energy and scotching zeal to work for the Diocese in this area of forming the young seminarians. I had the opportunity to study abroad and that was a great advantage. I have had the right exposure. For many years in the Lord’s vineyard, I have been able to combine ‘Rectorship’, ‘Classroom teaching’, ‘Pastoral work’, ‘Contract Work’, and ‘Writing’. It has not been easy, but fulfilling anyway.
Lowest Moments: Being sent back to the seminary after serving in the same institution for 16 years was “humiliating” ! But others saw it as a “challenge” and well-conceived by the competent authorities.
Vocation Boom or doom? Vocation “boom”: Never “doom”.
It is always possible to separate wheat from cockle. The world is like this and the Church is not exempt. We desperately need more priests and we must encourage the young ones to embrace the vocation and help to form them well. They have to replace us, no doubt. The younger Churches should continue to train priests to help Europe and America as they helped us, no matter prejudices and insincerity on the part of the West.
Fears about the future: The Nigerian Church is still a ‘foreign’ institution, hence the embarrassing interests in ‘Status quo’, titles, offices, structures. Nothing to worry about, “Pentecostalism” is part of the “signs of the times”. Quest for money or material wealth is worrisome. Little love for the flock. Everyone is chasing money, titles and cheap popularity. The ‘Pastoral” has been relegated to the background. But our people still love us. They are the same Igbo people who value “Umunna”, and don’t throw away the “handicapped” or the aged. If you are honest, humble, hardworking, charitable, self-sacrificing and less a “Nigerian” and “Igbo”, you will succeed and you will win the hearts of our people, though some people are messing the ‘profession’ up. It is just like asking “Do you love Nigeria”. Personally, I love the profession and have no regrets. The young priests must curtail appetite for wealth and flamboyancy. The present style of formation is poor. Few role models! Nothing to write home about! Must be re-examined and overhauled. There is need to take note of the “signs of the times”
