LATE Chief Chukwuneke Ofodile, who brought the Catholic fate to Awka in 1916, is one of
43 persons to be honoured by the Church during its
centenary celebration tomorrow.
The award would be one of the highlights of the
week-long celebration which started last Sunday in
all the parishes in the town, with Rosary procession
from the parishes, which terminated at the famous
St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a benediction.

Chairman of the centenary celebration committee,
Professor Austin Nonyelu, went down memory lane
on how Chief Ofodile attracted the church to the
area despite initial challenges.
Nonyelu said: “Chief Ofodile went to Igbariam to
invite the white Reverend Fathers. They were
referred to Nteje to discuss with Father Bubendorff,
who accepted to meet them later in Awka.
“As agreed, Father Bubendorff, who was
accompanied by Brother Joseph, later arrived in
Awka and requested Chief Offodile to gather other
chiefs and elders to meet him. The meeting
became a watershed, as it mid-wifed the birth of
the new school and church in Awka.
“As part of his personal contribution, Chief Offodile
donated a piece of land at the extreme part of Awka
to the new church and requested his colleagues to
clear the land. A new school was therefore erected
there: a mud house thatched with raffia mats. The
school became operational same year (1916), and
one Felix Udeme, from Osomala in the present day
Ogbaru, was posted to be in charge.”

Challenges:
Nonyelu said the school encountered a number of
challenges including lack of pupils and stiff
competition from the government school, which was
better located and was also better equipped and
staffed, adding that it was for that reason that Fr.
Bubendorff requested for a change of site for the
school which was accepted in 1923.
The school was later moved to the present site:
349, Zik Avenue, Awka, near Nkwo Market, and also
doubled as St. Cyprian Catholic Church.
Nonyelu said the centenary celebration will come to
a climax with a Concelebrated Mass to be officiated
by the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend
Paulinus Ezeokafor, to be assisted by many Bishops
and over 100 priests from the various parts of the
country on April 16 at the Cathedral.
According to the chairman, prominent Nigerians,
including Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State,
minister of employment, Senator Chris Ngige,
former Governor Peter Obi, former national Chairman
of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief
Victor Umeh, among many others, are expected to
grace the week-long event.
Nonyelu, who described 2016 as a special year for
Awka people and those residing in the city,
observed that the Catholic Church had grown
substantially over the years with notable
infrastructure, accompanied with spiritual and
human development.
He said at the beginning of this year, there were 27
indigenous priests of Awka, in addition to many
educational and health institutions, adding that
despite some challenges, the church was still
growing at a tremendous rate.
Secretary of the committee, Mr. Uba Anene,
explained that 43 persons would receive awards as
part of the activities during the celebration, adding
that among the awardees would be Chief Ofodile
who would be honoured posthumously for bringing
the Catholic Church to Awka.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/honour-man-brought-catholic-faith-awka-1916/