JUBILEE STOP-OVER OF ST. JOSEPH MAJOR SEMINARY, IKOT-EKPENE AT BIGARD MEMORIAL SEMINARY, ENUGU
JUBILEE STOP-OVER OF ST. JOSEPH MAJOR SEMINARY, IKOT-EKPENE AT BIGARD MEMORIAL SEMINARY, ENUGU
History was made on the 30th of October, 2026 when the Rector, Formators, and 43 seminarians of St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene arrived at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu for their stop-over activities leading to their grand 50th anniversary celebration.
The reason for their visit to Bigard was to recognize the historic mother-daughter relationship that has existed between the two seminaries from 1976 to the present day. At a point in history, Ikot-Ekpene served as the philosophy campus of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu due to capacity and accommodation constraints experienced at the time. However, following the creation of the Calabar Ecclesiastical Province, the seminaries officially split, with Ikot-Ekpene assuming its new identity: “St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene”.
To mark this historic homecoming, a novelty football match was played between the two seminaries at the Bigard FIFA field. The engaging match ended with a 3-1 victory in favor of Bigard.
In the evening, the seminary community gathered at the Blessed Iwene Tansi Auditorium for the grand reception of the entourage from St. Joseph’s, Ikot-Ekpene. The event commenced with opening prayers said by Rev. Fr. Johnpaul Nwachukwu, followed by a welcome address delivered by the Rector of Bigard, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Ezeoba. In his address, he congratulated the visiting seminary on achieving such a significant milestone—50 years of existence. He also recalled that Bigard Memorial Seminary had previously visited St. Joseph Seminary during its own centenary stop-over activities.
Adding color and vibrancy to the evening was an energetic musical performance by the Amor Musicalis Orchestra group. This was followed by a speed painting session by Bigard seminarian Achusi Samuel, who successfully painted a portrait of the Rector of St. Joseph Major Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Abem, in just five minutes. Capping off the grand reception was a cultural performance by the Ikorodo dance troupe of Nsukka Diocese.
In his remarks and vote of thanks, the visiting Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Abem, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the seminary community for the warm reception extended to their delegation. The reception concluded with closing prayers led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Godwin Orji.
The following morning, 31st October, 2026, a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at the Seminary Main Chapel. The Mass was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Eze, Dean of the Enugu Deanery, representing the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. C.V.C. Onaga. The Mass was followed by a commemorative group photograph at the porch of the chapel.
The entourage from St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene joyfully departed the seminary at 9:00 am, filled with fond memories of a meaningful time shared with their brothers at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.
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