By Chinenye Dike
Bigard Memorial Seminary, in affiliation with the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, celebrated its 53rd convocation ceremony of 2023 &2024 Philosophy Graduands on March 19, 2025. The event was marked by joy, gratitude, and display of academic excellence as graduands were honored for their academic achievements.
The event started with a holy mass officiated by Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki.
In his homily, his Lordship emphasized St. Joseph as a model of devotion and leadership. Reflecting on his time at the institution, he described his return as a homecoming to a source of inspiration.
Bishop Chukwu highlighted St. Joseph’s role as a devoted father to Jesus and husband to Mary. He praised Joseph’s humility, patience, and unwavering commitment, particularly during their journey to Bethlehem and their flight to Egypt to escape Herod’s threat. Joseph ensured Jesus’ religious upbringing and served as a mentor in carpentry.
Addressing formators, the Bishop urged them to guide seminarians with patience, comparing their role to Joseph’s care for Jesus. He encouraged students to grow in wisdom and obedience, emphasizing prayerful reflection before judgment.
Bishop Chukwu called for a spirit of patience and humility in leadership, citing Joseph’s example.
After the holy mass, the convocation ceremony continued at the semjnary auditorium.
In an address presented by the Rector Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ikpenwa, he warmly welcomed guests, including His Excellency, Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, who served as the Convocation Prelate. The Rector highlighted the seminary’s longstanding commitment to academic and spiritual excellence, emphasizing its century-long journey as a premier institution of priestly formation in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, he praised the partnership with the Pontifical Urbaniana University since 1970 and lauded the graduating class for their dedication and perseverance. A special mention was given to Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Ezeoba, Head of the Philosophy Department, for his leadership in maintaining high academic standards.
The Rector urged the graduands to uphold integrity, responsibility, and intellectual growth as they step into a society that often confuses freedom with unbridled choice and progress with mere movement. He encouraged them to embody discipline and self-mastery, virtues instilled through their seminary formation, and to serve as beacons of hope in a world plagued by noise, corruption, and moral decay. He also expressed gratitude to the parents and guardians of the graduands for their unwavering support.
The Bishop of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, in his Keynote Address celebrated the graduands’ achievements and the seminary’s enduring excellence. He reflected on his formative years at Bigard, emphasizing the need for continuous spiritual growth. His address focused on the theme “Wait Here and Stay Awake with Me” (Matt. 26:38), urging seminarians to develop a deep personal relationship with the Eucharistic Lord. He stressed the importance of prayer and vigilance, warning that neglecting prayer leads to spiritual decline. He encouraged seminarians to embrace daily meditation before the Blessed Sacrament, as true transformation comes through communion with Christ.
The Convocation Lecturer, Rev. Fr. Dr. Okechukwu Hilary Ocho’s in his convocation lecture, titled “Faith, Heritage, and Archives: The Nigerian Church’s Duty to Preserve its History,” highlighted the critical role of historical records in shaping identity, verifying events, and ensuring continuity. He noted a societal and ecclesiastical neglect of record-keeping, leading to the loss of valuable heritage. To address this, he proposes a two-fold approach: reorienting attitudes toward archiving and implementing practical preservation strategies. He urged the Church to recognize the past’s significance in giving authenticity to the present and safeguarding its legacy for the future.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Nnaemeka Ezeoba, Head of Philosophy Department, in his address, celebrated the achievements of philosophy graduands from 2022–2024. He expressed gratitude to Bishop Peter Chukwu, the Rector, lecturers, and students for their dedication to academic excellence. He highlighted the seminary’s recent milestones, including the success of accreditation and faculty promotions, which have strengthened research and teaching quality. He presented the candidates for the award of the Bachelors in Philosophy. He encouraged the philosophy graduands to apply their knowledge in service to the Church and society. The Best graduating student for 2022/2023 was Dunu Louismary Chidobelu while the best-graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session was Ezeode Joseph Aloysius. The school recorded 106 graduands from 2022/2023 session and 100 graduands from 2023/2024 session.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Very Rev. Fr. Kelvin Udenwagu, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to God for the successful 2025 convocation. He thanked the provincial Bishops, especially Bishop Peter Chukwu, benefactors, lecturers, seminarians, graduands, and guests for their support and presence. He acknowledged their invaluable contributions and prayed for God’s blessings and safe travels for all attendees.
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