The appointment of Monsignor Thomas Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegu as the Auxiliary Bishop of Orlu Diocese, has yet again demonstrated God’s interest in Uli Community.
The Papal investiture on Bishop Obiatuegwu, who until now was the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish Umuna, as an Auxiliary Bishop of the same Diocese of Orlu, assigning him the titular See of Horrea Cœlia, has indeed given Uli another march to greatness.
Bishop Obiatuegwu was born on January one 1966 in Umuaku Uli, Anambra State. He attended the Minor Seminary in Umuowa, Saint Joseph’s Major Seminary Ikot-Ekpene and subsequently the Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu. He obtained a Master’s Degree in philosophy from the Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain and a Master’s Degree in Public Management and Policy from Indiana University in the United States of America He was ordained a Catholic Priest on 26 August 1995.
Before now Bishop Obiatuegwu has held the following offices:
Chaplain of the hospital of Amaigbo (1995-1997), Parish Priest of Saint Theresa’s in Amauju, Isunjaba (1997-2001), Parish Vicar of Saint Patrick’s in Kokoma, Indiana, United States of America (2004-2010), Chaplain of the United States Military (2010-2017), Parish Priest of Holy Rosary in Orlu (2017-2018), Parish Priest of Saint Michael’s in Urualla (2018-2023), Dean of the Saint Michael Pastoral Region (2018-2023), And since 2023, Parish Priest of Saint Joseph’s in Umuna, Orlu.
This appointment came at the right time when Uli his ancestral home needed to reclaim its position as the safest town in Anambra State, a position it was occupying before the spate of insecurity began in the South East.
Uli Episcopal Ordination Group has been set up to prepare and give the new Bishop a deserving grand reception. This Episcopal Ordination Committee is chaired by Dr. ABC Orjiakor, who has consistently remained a rare gift to humanity, while Publicity and outreach Subcommittee is headed by Professor Celestine Aguoru and all the necessary preparations have been drawn up towards ensuring a stellar grand reception in Uli.
The early turning point for us as a people was when the town produced the first civilian Governor of Anambra State after the return of civil rule in Nigeria’s fourth Republic in 1999. Today, Uli has produced men and women of repute for Anambra in particular and Nigeria in general, and it’s very heartening that a humbling personality of a man who after serving the US military for seven good years came back to Nigeria to continue the service of God and humanity in his home country. It takes serious courage and candour to make such weighty decision.
A remarkable reception of this nature took place on the same soil in 2007, when a papal investiture was conferred on one of our illustrious sons, Dr ABC Orjiako.
We are convinced that our son whom God has chosen for this Episcopal obligation would do us proud, because his antecedents are there for everyone to see.
Uli as a community is poised in giving him a rewarding, befitting and warm reception tomorrow, the 23rd of March, 2024 at St Theresa’s Catholic Parish Uli, after his Episcopal Ordination at Holy Trinity Cathedral Orlu, on the 20th of March, 2024.
All preparations have been perfected for the grand reception. This appointment is seen as a symbol of unity for the people of Uli because both Catholics and Non-Catholics are celebrating this Episcopal consecration and have demonstrated sincere interests in partnering to ensure the success of the Ordination and the
subsequent reception in Uli. There is no doubt therefore that the people are happy of God’s grace yet again.
Uli ranked top as one of the most peaceful towns in Anambra State before the security challenges struck two years ago in the South East. So, we hope and believe that this is the time for all the troubled waters would cease and normal coexistence begins. Everyone is therefore charged to embrace this gospel that God Almighty brought to us as a people and chart the way of uniting all fronts.
To God be the glory!
Written by COMR. KINGSLEY MBADUGHA-EZERUO
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