CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ABA, ECHEMA CELEBRATES 40TH PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY

CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ABA, ECHEMA CELEBRATES 40TH PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY

“Gov. Alex Otti pledges ultra-modern Retirement Home for Priests, Sisters *Archbishop Lucius Ugorji hails Echema’s four decades of sacrificial service

The Christ the King Cathedral (CKC), Aba, was agog on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as the Catholic Diocese of Aba celebrated the 40th priestly ordination anniversary of its Bishop, His Lordship, Most Rev. Prof. Augustine Ndubueze Echema.

The celebration attracted the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR; Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Catholic bishops from across the country; priests and religious; members of the Catholic faithful; Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM); Knights of the Order of St. John International (KSJI); top government officials; captains of industry; politicians; friends, associates and well-wishers of the celebrant, among other dignitaries from within and outside Abia State.

The ceremony, chaired by Chief Dr. Ikenna Okafor, popularly known as Ide Akweze, and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Esther Okafor, witnessed a massive turnout, with the expansive Cathedral filled to capacity.

So large was the crowd that many worshippers stood outside the Cathedral despite the heavy rainfall, underscoring the goodwill enjoyed by Bishop Echema across religious, professional, political and social divides.

The celebration commenced with a colourful procession of bishops, priests and religious, after which the anniversary Mass began with Bishop Echema as the chief celebrant.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Ikenna Okafor, congratulated Bishop Echema on attaining the remarkable milestone, describing his 40 years of priestly service as evidence of enduring commitment to God and humanity.

Okafor, who described the celebrant as a very close friend, extolled his humility, dedication, love and selfless service, and prayed that God would continue to preserve and strengthen him while granting him the grace to discharge his episcopal responsibilities with renewed vigour.

In his goodwill message, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji expressed profound joy and gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate Bishop Echema’s four decades in the priesthood.

He appreciated Governor Otti, the participating bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful for honouring the celebrant, describing the anniversary as a monumental milestone in a life defined by humility, selflessness, unwavering faith and service.

Ugorji portrayed Bishop Echema as a shepherd after the heart of Christ whose priestly and episcopal ministry had touched numerous lives and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Catholic Church.

He recalled Echema’s distinguished academic and pastoral career, particularly his service as Professor of Sacred Liturgy at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, and the Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, where he helped shape generations of priests and pastoral agents through sound liturgical formation.

The Archbishop also highlighted Echema’s contribution to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), particularly as immediate past Chairman of its Pastoral Affairs Department, where he contributed to the Church’s pastoral vision and missionary outreach.

He further noted Echema’s continuing responsibilities as Chairman of the Seminary Commission and Secretary to the Bishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, as well as his position as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Veritas University, Abuja.

According to him, the responsibilities entrusted to Echema reflected the confidence reposed in his intellectual capacity, pastoral experience, administrative ability and commitment to the Catholic faith.

Ugorji prayed that God would continue to strengthen the celebrant, grant him good health and fill his heart with peace, while asking the Holy Spirit to guide his episcopal ministry and the Blessed Virgin Mary to continue to intercede for him.

Governor Alex Otti, who joined the Catholic community in celebrating the Bishop, described Echema’s 40 years of priestly service as a rare privilege and evidence of God’s grace.

The Governor expressed gratitude to God for sustaining Bishop Echema in good health and enabling him to continue serving the Church and humanity decades after he would ordinarily have retired from conventional public service.

Otti described Echema as a good man and a rare gift to Nigeria, particularly Abia State, stressing that his life and ministry had demonstrated unwavering commitment to his calling.

He disclosed that Bishop Echema had earlier discussed with him the need for an ultra-modern retirement home for Catholic priests, bishops and religious, and announced that work on the project would soon commence.

The Governor clarified that the project would not be financed with government funds, explaining that he, through the Alex Otti Foundation, in collaboration with the Unubiko Foundation, Ide John Udeagbala Foundation and other private individuals and organizations, had resolved to fund it.

He said the proposed facility would be built to a standard befitting men and women who had devoted their lives to the service of God and humanity.

Otti also noted that the project would take into consideration the needs of reverend sisters, stressing that women deserved equal consideration and support.

The Governor used the occasion to disclose that work at the Abia Airport, Nsulu, had progressed significantly, particularly on the runway, which he said was nearing completion.

Responding to the goodwill messages and tributes, Bishop Echema expressed appreciation to Governor Otti, Chief Ikenna Okafor and his wife, Archbishop Ugorji, the other bishops, priests, religious, the Laity Council, Catholic men, women, youths and the entire faithful of Aba Diocese.

He particularly commended the President General of the Aba Diocesan Catholic Women Organization, Nneoma Chief Lady Florita Ngozi Anwuacha, popularly known as the Mother General (aka Chief Echiri Echi) for her service to the Catholic Church and the Diocese.

The Bishop described the lay faithful of Aba Diocese as exceptionally dynamic, dedicated and generous, expressing gratitude for their overwhelming support.

He singled out SS. Anthony and Jude Parish, Umungasi, Aba, for special commendation for organizing a memorable reception for members of the 1986 Bigard Memorial Seminary set and himself as part of the anniversary activities.

Echema also acknowledged the choirs and other groups that enriched the liturgy and anniversary activities, as well as individuals and organizations that contributed financially and materially to the success of the celebration.

On Governor Otti’s retirement-home pledge, Bishop Echema recalled that he had presented the request to the Governor less than three months earlier and expressed gratitude for the Governor’s positive response.

He described Otti as a Governor of integrity, saying his confidence in the Governor’s commitment to the project was based on his personal interactions with him and his record of keeping commitments.

The Bishop also said the Governor’s developmental works in Abia would speak for him as he seeks another term in office in 2027, adding that Otti did not need him to campaign for him because his achievements would speak for themselves.

Echema said the Governor’s intervention had lifted a major burden from the Diocese, noting that the Church had several responsibilities and projects competing for attention.

He recalled that his predecessor had secured land for some of the Diocese’s major projects, adding that the responsibility before his administration was to develop and improve the available properties.

The Bishop further disclosed that one of his major priorities upon assuming office was the construction of a Pastoral Centre, which he said was already at an advanced stage.

He expressed gratitude to God for the grace that had sustained his ministry for four decades and prayed that God would bring to completion the good works He had begun in the Diocese and in the lives of all those contributing to its growth.

Also speaking on the significance of the anniversary, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba, Comrade Emeka Okeke, popularly known as MECON Global, described Bishop Echema as a rare gem, an exceptional servant of God and a special gift to Nigeria, particularly Abia State.

Okeke, an ardent Catholic and the Igwe of the Catholic Men Organization of Christ the King Catholic Church, Aba, said Echema’s 40-year journey in the priesthood represented four decades of humility, sacrifice, perseverance, endurance, intellectual excellence and diligent service to God and humanity.

According to him, Echema’s priesthood had gone beyond the routine exercise of ecclesiastical responsibilities, as the Bishop had consistently demonstrated the qualities of a good shepherd deeply concerned about the spiritual, physical and material wellbeing of the people entrusted to his care.

The Ekeoha chairman described the Bishop as a prayer answered to the Catholic Church and the people of Aba, noting that his ministry had brought together the qualities of a forthright leader, teacher, friend and compassionate shepherd.

He said what particularly distinguished Bishop Echema was his ability to combine scholarship with pastoral sensitivity, administrative responsibility with humility, and ecclesiastical authority with genuine concern for ordinary people.

Okeke noted that Echema’s years as Professor of Sacred Liturgy had equipped him with the intellectual depth required to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Church, while his pastoral assignments enabled him to translate that knowledge into practical service.

He said the Bishop’s impact could be seen not only in the spiritual development of the faithful but also in his concern for priests, the elderly, the sick, the vulnerable and other members of society in need of compassion and support.

He further praised Echema’s accessibility, describing him as a leader who had remained close to the people despite the demands and dignity of his episcopal office.

While congratulating the Bishop on the anniversary, Okeke prayed that God would continue to renew his strength, deepen his wisdom and grant him greater anointing to accomplish more fruitful works for the Catholic Church, Abia State, Nigeria and humanity.

The anniversary attracted Catholic bishops from different parts of the country, including Most Rev. Dr. John Ebube Ayah, Bishop of Uyo; Most Rev. Dr. Ochi Enuke, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Port Harcourt; Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise; Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Raymond Omeogu, Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese; and Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegwu, Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu, among others.

Also present were the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD; legal luminary, Barr. Chukwuma Chukwu Umeh, SAN; Ochiagha Regan Ufomba; Prof. John Chikezie; Hon. Tony Enwereuzo, Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency; Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; Ide John Udeagbala; Chief James Ume (Ike Abam); Dr. Ugochukwu Okoro, the medical director of King’s well Hospital, 26 Brass Street, Aba,
members of the Abia State House of Assembly; Mayors of various LGAs in the state; members of the State Executive Council; senior government appointees among others.

There were also presentations of gifts and goodwill messages from various groups and individuals, including the Bishop’s Ohuhu Nsulu kinsmen.

The celebration climaxed with a grand reception marked by music, dancing, conviviality and an abundance of food and drinks, as friends, associates, clergy and lay faithful joined the Bishop in celebrating four decades of priestly service.

Born in Ohuhu Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, Bishop Echema was ordained a Catholic priest on August 16, 1986.

Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Aba on December 28, 2019, and he was installed on February 13, 2020.

His 40th priestly anniversary celebration, held amid heavy rainfall, provided an opportunity for the Catholic Church, the people of Abia State and his friends and associates across the country to honour a journey spanning four decades of priestly, academic, pastoral and episcopal service.