The 18th and 19th days of March 2021 were indeed memorable for Bigard Memorial Seminary as the seminary joyously celebrated the success of the class of 2021 in both departments (philosophy
and theology) and played host to the auxiliary bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese Most Rev. Patrick Eluke. These events were celebrated under the umbrella of the 50th convocation ceremony of
Bigard Memorial Semianry Enugu.
The convocation ceremony started on a victorious note for the Seminary Family as the indomitable football team of Bigard battled and marched the professionalism and experience of DOSAD football academy. This tense encounter which ended with a one goal in favour of the Bigard indomitable warriors set the tone for the rest of the ceremony and ushered all to the Mass to be led by the graduating class. The Mass which was concelebrated by the formators of the Seminary was led by Rev. Fr. Malachy Eze the president of the graduating class.
Next was the reception of the Bishop and award of prizes to students who distinguished themselves in academics in the previous academic year.
In the convocation Mass led by the convocation prelate, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke, the bishop in
his homily encouraged the students to keep pushing forward. He however, enjoined on all to take formation gradually and to remain seminarians till ordination and not jump to status higher than what that are supposed to be.
The inauguration proper was really a joyful one as it brought smiles to the faces of the class of
2021 who never imagined that such day will ever come because of the disruption in the program
by the COVID 19 pandemic. Thus, in his Rectoral address, the Rector congratulated the graduands
for their courage and resilience to push through even in the midst of the precarious situation of the pandemic. He then encouraged them to manifest in their lives all that have been taught to them and to be the light through which the world will see God.
In the same manner, the convocation prelate while trying to relate the theme: “The Formation of Seminarians; Contemporary Problems and Challenges” to his personal motto: “Bringing
Everything Together under Christ”, made the seminarians aware of the fact that time changes and as such we all are to respond to the demands of the contemporary world. This we do while
maintaining that one goal of bringing all things together under Christ. Meaning that they should
always maintain that standard of Christ in all situations.
Furthermore, in his convocation lecture, Rev. Fr. Dr. Kevin Udenwagu outlined the need of value
clarification when speaking on the theme “External Goods in Aristotle: the Dilemma of Nigerian Politics”. For him external goods though necessary for the wellbeing of man in the political scene should not be the goal of anybody. Thus, our goals should be able to transcend external goods.
Finally, the academic reports for the two graduating classes were given. In his Academic report of the philosophy department, Rev. Fr. Dr. Humphry Ani expressed his gratitude to God and the graduating class for the journey so far and reported that 90 students sat for the B. Phil examination, 1 made probatus, 03 made Bene probatus, 28 made cum laude probatus, 51 made magna cum laude probatus while 7 made summa cum laude probatus. On the other hand, the H.O.D. Rev. Fr. Dr. Clement Obasi reporting on behalf of the theology department, outlined that 90 students sat for the B. Th. Examination: 2 made probatus, 13 made Bene probatus, 30 made cum laude probatus, 39 made magna cum laude probatus while 6 made summa cum laude probatus.
In all, the seminary through the instrumentality of Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Obiwulu thanked all
present especially the convocation prelate and prayed that the fruit of the convocation will lead us all to our ultimate destination.