Most Rev. Bishop Godfrey Onah inaugurates 2014/2015 Academic/Formation Year

The harvest time is often the time to make plans for a new season and the time for the gradual kicking-off of the new season. It is on this note and with such a spirit of a good farmer who has labored well, expectant of a good harvest and strategizing for the next season that the whole Bigard family hosted one of her illustrious sons, Most Rev Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, who inaugurated the 2014/2015 academic/formation year.

The 2-day event started on the eve of Sunday 26th October, 2014, with an interesting football match encounter between the Bigard main football team and Amen football club of Enugu.

After the vespers there was a warm reception organized in honor of the inaugurating prelate. Our special guest was ushered into the auditorium by Igbaumuogaranya cultural dance of Onitsha and Nnewi Dioceses. The opening prayer was said by Rev. Fr. Cyprian Ezeakunne. The breaking and blessing of the Kola-nut was masterfully done by the Bishop, who in the process proposed a cultural anthropological thesis.

According to him, the saying that ‘Kola-nut does not hear English language’ is wrong. “This is because when we bless the Kola, we pray to God and we can pray to him in any language we and God can understand.” Having said this he blessed the Kola praying in Igbo-Nsukka dialect.

The Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. T. Ukoro Igwe, in an address of welcome, appreciated the highly dignifying episcopal presence of the inaugurating prelate, congratulating him on his elevation to the episcopal state. He then gave him the title: Dike E ji Eje Mba 1 of Bigard. At this juncture the Bishop was clothed in a befitting cultural attire by the cultural crew of Bigard Art and Culture Club, ably led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Igboanugo, Ichie Ozioma 1 of Bigard.

The address was followed by music entertainment. Ikorodo cultural dancers of Nsukka diocese were at their best in welcoming their Bishop to Bigard.

The Bishop while responding to the reception organized in his honor, appreciated immensely the large heart and hospitality of the Bigard family. In his words: “It is a joy to be here because it reminds me of my days in the seminary. Our years in the seminary should be happy years. Any sad seminarian will be a sad priest. The Gospel message is a message of joy.” He then promised earnestly to be as close as possible to the Bigard family.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Umezinwa gave the vote of thanks. The day was brought to a close by the closing prayer said by Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Eze and an episcopal blessing by the Bishop.

The inauguration day being Sunday, 27th October, 2014 kicked off with an inaugural votive mass of the Holy Spirit presided over by the inaugurating prelate, Most Rev. Godfrey I. Onah. After the mass the rest of the inauguration activities continued in the seminary auditorium.

The opening prayer was followed by the Bishop’s speech to the Bigard family. According to him, we are called to be servants and that was why the Popes answer to the title, servant of the servants of God. Using the Aristotelian principle of the soul, he emphasized the centrality of the diaconal role of the priesthood without which the priesthood will be meaningless. He encouraged the formators as they labor in the Lord’s vineyard not to lose hope even when it seems the students are not imbibing the training. He then admonished the students to utilize optimally the opportunities offered by the seminary.

After the Bishop’s remark, the Rector beckoned on the Bishop to officially declare the academic year open. After the official declaration of the academic year, the seminary main choir melodiously praised God for his blessings on the Bigard family. This was followed by an inaugural lecture given by Rev. Fr. Damian Udechukwu, titled: THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN.

Furthermore, the high point of the occasion was the awarding of prizes and the recognition of the outstanding students both in character and learning from the previous academic year.

The HOD of the philosophy department, Fr. Vitalis Ukwuaba presented the philosophers who distinguished themselves in academics the previous year. Rev. Fr. Dr. Clement Obasi the HOD, theology department did the same for the theology department. The dean of student affairs, Rev. Fr. Anthony Attah, presented the best behaved seminarians.

2013/2014 Prize Winners List For Philosophers

S/No. Name Class Position
1 Ogbu Paschal Phil. 1 3rd
2 Nweke Daniel Phil.1 3rd
3 Ugwu Kenneth Phil. 1 2nd
4 Ihediwa Felix Phil. 1 1st
5 Ike Maximilian Phil. 2 3rd
6 Muogbo Clement Phil. 2 2nd
7 Okwunwanne Charles  

Phil. 2

1st
8 Omenye Peter Phil.3 3rd
9 Ugwu Henry Phil.3 2nd
10 Ezeaniekwe Kizito Phil.3 1st

 

2013/2014 Prize Winners List

Theology One

  OVERALL
Name Overall

Total

Overall

Average

Overall

Position

Anyanwu Anthony C. 2719 90.63 3rd
Okoye Polycarp 2775 92.5 2nd
Nnabugwu Chidiebere O. 2843 94.77 1st

                                                                                                                                                                                          

2013/2014 Prize Winners List

Theology Two

Name Overall

Total

Overall

Average

Overall

Position

Onyenekwe Gerald 2627 93.82 2nd
Adike Godwin 2627 93.82 2nd
Anyanwu Ugochukwu S. 2731 97.54 1st

 

2013/2014 Prize Winners List

Theology Three

Name Overall

Total

Overall

Average

Overall

Position

Okon Anthony C. 3001 93.83 3rd
Okwuosa Zikodi 3007 94 2nd
Iziga Osita U. 3030 94.73 1st

 

 Francis Cardinal Arinze’s Award Winner

2013/2014 Academic Year

 

Name

 

 

Aggregate

 

Average

Okon Anthony 7950.5 94.73

Mr. Christopher Agbo, emerged as the best behaved Bigard seminarian. The report of their presentation and the general assessment of the last academic year are attached to this report.

The vote of thanks was given by Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Umezinwa. After the closing prayer the rest of the day was declared free for the seminarians.

Inaugural lecture by Rev. Fr. Damian Udechukwu titled: The Woman Clothed with the Sun

A Keynote Address presented by the Rector, Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, on the occasion of the Solemn Inauguration of the 2014/2015 Academic/Formation Year On 27th October, 2014.

Address and presentation of Candidates for Prize Giving at the Solemn Inauguration of the 2014/2015 Academic/Formation Year by Rev. Fr. Dr. Clement Obasi, HOD Theology Dept.

The presentation of the Bigard Best Behaved Seminarians on the occasion of the Inauguration of the 2014/2015 Academic/Formation Year by Rev. Fr. Anthony Jideofo Attah, Administrative Dean.

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