Born in 1928 into a family of pagan parents, of Late Nze and Lolo Nwajagu Okereke Owo of UMUANUBALU Kindred in Ugwu Community Awgbu. Godfrey Obidigbo Nwajagu was the fifth child and first son of his parents. He started his formal education at St. Michael’s Catholic mission school, Awgbu advancing to St Matthew’s Amawbia for his Standard Six, which he completed in 1947.
With his Standard six diploma, he joined the police force in Enugu in 1948, as faith would have it, Godfrey swapped his baton for a trade apprenticeship. He moved to Onitsha and began learning how to trade. There, he was introduced to Dr. Uduaro Okeke, a principal who helped him register for the G.C.E. London Examination. By 1959, Sir Godfrey had earned his G.C.E. Certificate.
Godfrey was a devout Catholic, deeply committed to his faith. Baptized at the age of eleven, he embraced Catholicism with remarkable zeal. By the age of eighteen, his devotion to the Blessed Virgin, particularly through his active involvement in the Legion of Mary, was widely recognized that he became a leader of the Junior praesidium. As a young member of Sacred Heart Parish in Odokpu, Onitsha, his unwavering dedication quickly became evident. By the age of twenty-six, he had already risen to the position of Chairman of the Parish Youth League. When the Eastern Nigeria Catholic Council was formed, Godfrey stepped up as chairman. Under his leadership, the ENCC ensured that Catholics could not only participate in politics but thrive in it.
Godfrey, a devout man of faith, was determined to defend the Catholic Church from a young age. As a young vibrant Legionary, after the death of his father, Okerekeowo, who was preparing for baptism as a catechumen, Godfrey stood alone against the pagan community that sought to perform their traditional rites during the
burial. Despite being pressured and physically confronted by three men who attempted to involve him in the ritual of smearing ram’s blood into the eyes of his dead father before internment a practice meant to honor his father’s former ties to paganism Godfrey resolutely pushed them aside. He insisted that his father had renounced paganism and embraced Christianity, and he refused to allow any pagan rituals to tarnish his father’s commitment to the Catholic faith.
In another instance in the early seventies, Godfrey once again demonstrated his steadfastness in upholding his Catholic faith. The challenge this time centered around an ancient ‘añashi-ebe’ tree located beside his house, which the local community believed to be sacred and the dwelling place of spirits. Godfrey, however, saw the tree as a potential danger as its old and decaying branches posed a serious risk to the safety of anyone passing by, and its hollow trunk had become a habitat for dangerous snakes.
Despite strong resistance from majority of his kindred and other villagers who revered the tree and feared the wrath of the gods, Godfrey remained resolute and took steps to have it cut down. With the help of a Dulmer man from a neighboring town of Agulu successfully cut down the tree. While the villagers awaited Godfrey’s death. nothing happened to him and the next day, Godfrey attended his usual morning Mass and returned to Onitsha, where he was based at the time.
Godfrey was married to his wife Elizabeth on August fifteen, 1964, which coincided with the Solemnity of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary in what was considered the wedding of the century. Their deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was evident from day one, and their marriage became a beacon of love and faith in the community. The marriage was blessed with seven surviving children, four sons and three daughters His third son, Reverend Father Hilary Nwajagu, was ordianed priest on the second day of September 2004.
Godfrey was elevated and initiated into the Knights of St John International in 2002 and he belong to Ekwulobia Commandery 5-0-9. His wife became Lady Auxiliary and both continued to promote mutual love while defending the catholic faith.
Sir Godfrey dedicated many years of service to the Local Church Council of St. Patrick Station and the Parish Pastoral Council of All Saints Parish, Awgbu and was elected as the inaugural vice chairman, a position he held for over twelve years. During his tenure, the foundation stone for the new church building at St. Patrick’s was laid.
Sir Godfrey Obidigbo Nwajagu lived a life deeply rooted in faith and service.
Today, his legacy lives on in his children, his community, and in the countless lives he touched through his unwavering dedication to his faith. Sir Godfrey’s story is one of humility, love, and the quiet power of a life lived in service to others that continues to inspire long after his passing.
Written by CHARLES NWAJAGU
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