By Juliana Nwachukwu
All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, Anambra State, has recorded a 100 per cent distinction rate in the recent Latin Diploma examination, emerging top among nine minor seminaries in the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province.
The Rector, Rev. Fr. Pascal Okonkwo, disclosed this during the seminary’s celebration of the Feast of All Saints on Nov. 1.
He said all 64 candidates who sat for the examination obtained distinctions, with 37 scoring A1 and 27 recording B2.
Okonkwo attributed the performance to the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and the proper formation of seminarians.
He also highlighted some achievements of his administration, including the renovation of the students’ laundry facility and installation of additional water taps.
The rector, however, appealed to benefactors and well meaning individuals to support the renovation of the seminary’s kitchen and procuratory stores.
He appreciated the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, friends of the institution, the Parents Teachers Dialogue (PTD), Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and other supporters for their contributions to the seminary’s development and students’ welfare.
He particularly acknowledged the Archbishop’s donation of a live cow for the celebration and continued subsidy of students’ school fees.
The celebration featured a Holy Mass at the seminary playground, presided over by the Vicar-General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor, who represented the Archbishop.
The Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Prudentius Emeka Aroh, concelebrated the Mass.
In his homily, Aroh urged Christians and seminarians to emulate the virtues of the saints, including humility, holiness, compassion, forgiveness, self control and righteousness.
He stressed that the ultimate purpose of human existence was to live with God in eternity.
Speaking on behalf of the Archbishop, Okafor commended the rector for his dedication to the institution.
Also speaking, Prof. Fidelis Okafor a distinguished alumnus and former president-Generral of the All Hallows Old Boys Association (AHOBA), urged the seminarians to take their academic and spiritual formation seriously, describing the minor seminary as the foundation of priestly formation.
A Hungarian neurosurgeon, Dr Reka Foda, expressed admiration for the number of seminarians in Nigeria and the hospitality of the Igbo people, describing her experience in the country as remarkable.
The newly elected President of the All Hallows Old Boys Association (AHOBA), Mr Joseph Chukwuemeka Ejezie, pledged the association’s support for the welfare of teachers and formators.
He also said the association would support seminarians who might choose career paths outside the priesthood.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Rector of Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, representatives of other seminaries, management and staff of St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital and College of Nursing Sciences, members of St. Stephen’s Press Community and Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe.
The celebration ended with cultural dance performances by the seminarians.
Juliana Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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