- Bishop Nwobi Lauds the Iheoma Family for pledging to sponsor one of the Buildings
- Calls for greater support for Diocesan Projects, bestows Meritorious Awards of Excellence on Diocesan Icons
The 2026 feast day of the diocese recorded a resounding success, following the foundation laying of the Priests’ Retirement Home. The flag-off of this landmark project realizes the bishop’s vision towards providing a dignified place and specialized residential facility for elderly and retired clergy after selfless years of service. The facility is designed to provide a spectrum of care, from independent living for active retirees to skilled nursing for those with more complex health needs.
This year’s feast, which gathered priests, religious, and lay faithful of the diocese, took place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara. Beyond prayers of thanksgiving to God and seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the celebration featured a meaningful awards ceremony honoring those who have significantly contributed to the growth of the diocese. The living awardees included Rev. Fr. Dr. Justin Uche Anaele, Chief Vitalis Maduwuba Onyemaechi, Engr. Peter Chijoke Amaliri, Dr. Emmnuel Chukwunyere Njoku, and Chief Justus Chinyere Ogu. Others are Noble Lady Cecilia C. Emecheta, Catechist Tobias Ahamefule Oparah, Chief Gregory Odoegbulem Ekweariri, and Ezinne Agatha Oluigbo Onyekwere. The posthumous awards are Rt. Rev. Msgr. Theophilus A. Nwalo, Very Rev. Msgr. Lambert Uzoma Nwigwe, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Ignatius M. Okoroanyanwu, Very Rev. Msgr. Boniface Nwakanma Nwachukwu. Others are Rt. Rev. Msgr. Matthew Ochieze Nneji Onyemma, Very Rev. Msgr. Jacob Ekwuchauka Ibekwe, Very Rev. Msgr. Donald Sonde Okoro, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Eugene Onukagha Iheoma, as well as distinguished lay leaders like Ezinna Prince Edward Anyanwu, Mazi Elder Ignatius Ibecheozo Nwagu, Pa Alfred Ihemmadu Iroekwe and Ezeji (Sir) Benedict Ndunyiriuba Onyenacho.
However, the defining moment of the celebration was the symbolic laying of the foundation of the Priests’ Retirement Home, a project conceived to provide a serene and dignified residence for the retired priests in the diocese.
Since the beginning of his pastoral ministry, Bishop Nwobi has nurtured this vision of erecting a befitting retirement home where elderly and retired priests can receive the care, comfort, and support they deserve after decades of pastoral ministry. The vision began to take shape during the foundation-laying ceremony at the premises of Sacred Heart Parish, Nguru Centre, immediately after Mass at the Cathedral. This event was more than just the beginning of a construction project; it was the realization of a pastoral dream rooted in appreciation and concern for the welfare of the priests of the Diocese.
This milestone was made possible through the profound generosity of High Chief Dr. Jude Uzodimma Iheom. On behalf of the Iheoma family, he committed to building one of the facilities in honor of his late brother, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Eugene Onukagha Iheoma. Born on November 22, 1938, in Oboama Ezinihitte and ordained a Catholic Priest on April 25, 1965, Fr. Iheoma was a pillar of Ahiara Diocese who worked assiduously for the good of all God’s people. Until his death on October 21, 1999, he remained a shining example of priestly dedication, intellectual excellence, and selfless service, a true founding father of Ahiara Diocese, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Reflecting on his motivation during the foundation, High Chief Dr. Jude Uzodimma Iheoma, finely stated, “My brother planned for retirement. He looked forward to a time when, after years of tireless labor, he would rest, quietly serving, reflecting, and guiding. But that moment never came. As a family, we have asked ourselves, “How do we say thank you?” How do we honor a life like this? And we have found our answer. In his memory, and in recognition of the retirement he never lived to see, the Iheoma family has resolved to build one of the planned retirement homes, a place where those priests who have labored in God’s vineyard will find rest, dignity, and care. This is our gift. This is our gratitude. This is our way of giving back to the church he loved so deeply.”
This generous commitment was greeted with admiration and appreciation from the faithful of the Diocese, who viewed it as a noble contribution towards the welfare of the Diocesan Priests.
During the event, the bishop thanked God for the fulfillment of this pastoral vision. He extended words of gratitude to all who received awards and to the faithful for their steadfast support, with a special commendation for High Chief Dr. Jude Iheoma and the entire Iheoma family for their visionary initiative. Bishop Nwobi also invited the faithful for more support regarding the ongoing and upcoming projects, including the Retirement Home, Mater Media Village, College of Nursing Sciences, and the new Diagnostic Center. He spoke on the need to revamp moribund projects like the fuel stations and bakery, and looked forward to the dedication of the Cathedral.
The award recipients expressed gratitude to God and to the diocese for the recognition, pledging their continued commitment. The celebration ended with a shared promise from the faithful to seek more faith-filled initiatives and pursue robust landmark projects that will keep the diocese flourishing.
