Onitsha agog as Onukwuba marks birthday, silver jubilee, unveils foundation

For Rev. Fr. Martin Onukwuba, an Onitsha-born Catholic priest, eulogies do not need to come when one has passed on to the great world beyond. One’s foot prints while on earth should be celebrated, especially if the person has been touching lives positively.
Therefore, between September 6 and 7, loud noise of cymbals and drums reverberated across the city of Onitsha as people appreciated the man largely described as a good priest.
The popular Awka Road in Onitsha, which is the route to Onitsha Main Market and Ose Okwodu, the two major markets in the commercial city, bustled with unusual human and vehicular traffic.
It was the 52^nd birthday and 25 years celebration of his priesthood, but that was not all, the occasion also marked the unveiling of his legacy project known as Father Martin Soteria Mission.
Fr. Onukwuba was born on September 6, 1962 to the family of Barrister Achike and Osinigwe Onukwuba.
He was ordained a Catholic priest on July 15, 1989 and has worked in various capacities as parish priest, cathedral administrator, among other assignments given to him by the church.
He is the immediate past director, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), a non-governmental organization of the Catholic Church where he made a lot of impacts that cut across the nation and beyond.
He is presently the national president, Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association where he had earlier served as the secretary.
The double celebration started on a Saturday with a holy mass presided by the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Hillary Odili Okeke and about 60 other priests officiating.
Fr. Francis Oborji and Damian Chikeluba flew in from Rome while Fr. Peter Nwachukwu also came from America to be part of the celebration.
Bishop Okeke while lauding the life and priestly mission of Fr Martin proclaimed the title of Most Reverend Father on him even when there is no such title in the Catholic priesthood hierarchy.
The silver jubilee mass and reception on Sunday was no less different as it attracted more crowd that the imposing St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Awka road, Onitsha and Ezechima Primary School field, venue of the reception could not contain the numerous guests.
Fr. Oborji in a homily praised God for the life and ministry of the celebrant.
He said the cleric has distinguished himself in his priestly calling even among his 1989 set of ordained priests.
He said that living a righteous life gives one the freedom from unnecessary fears and protects one with a divine grace which not only elongates one’s life but makes such person ever young and fresh.
In proposing a toast for the celebrant, his younger brother, Henry Onukwuba described the cleric as an elephant which means so many things to many people.
“Fr. Martin is the fourth in a family of 10 children, five brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, 22 grand-children and three great grand-children, yet our parents are still alive and kicking. My closeness to the church today was influenced by Fr. Martin because I’m a Catechist in Lagos. Fr. Martin is enigmatic and pragmatic, humble, unassuming and charming. We celebrate the beauty of service to God,” he said.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke who gave a speech amidst songs of praise summarized his words in three forms of gratitude.
“First is gratitude to God Almighty who gave us the gift of Fr. Martin Onukwuba, second gratitude is to his parents and the immediate family who made him to grow in the service of God while the third gratitude goes to Fr. Martin too who allowed God to use him. If he abused the privileges God gave him, we will not be here today in celebration. May your future blessings be more,” Archbishop Okeke prayed.
While unveiling the Father Martin Soteria Mission, the Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Aviation Reforms, Ann Ene- Ita, described the pet project of the cleric as the answer to the yawning gap between the haves and the have-nots. She said the cleric has decided to be a bridge between those who have something to give for charity and the receivers of those charity items.
She called on all Nigerians to support the initiative because of its unique and transparent package since there are still so many underprivileged people in the society.
The celebrant and founder of the Father Martin Soteria Mission in a speech said that he was overwhelmed by the numerous support and goodwill by Nigerians on the stage of his life.
He said he was inspired to establish the Soteria Mission work based on his conviction that being charitable is a way of life while it is a fact that many people including priests are suffering today.
He lauded the former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah for not only being a blessing to him but to the church, the society and the priests.
He noted that Oduah has been assisting 80 priests in their diocesan union who are sick while she also provided both office and residential accommodation in Abuja for the secretariat of the Catholic Diocesan priests and home for the staff of the secretariat, among others from her.
He also appreciated the Onitsha community for their love and encouragement.
“I strongly believe that I’m alive today simply by the grace of God and because of the few works of charity I’ve done. I feel happier when I’m doing charity and if you want to live longer and enjoy life, you must learn to be charitable.  When we started the feed the poor and elderly initiative, I didn’t know it will create such a huge impact.
“I’ve also promised God that this time after 25 years in His vineyard; I will devote the rest to assisting the downtrodden, the sick priests and the welfare of others. I only have one appeal to make even now – if you see any priest or religious person, encourage him or her, because if he or she derails or fails, it is a problem. Some of our priests are amputees today while others are in so many other terrible conditions,” he lamented.
Some priests and other guests who spoke to Oriental News poured glowing encomiums on Fr. Onukuba.
Rev. Fr. Barrister Ikenga Oraegbunam described him as a straightforward person and a good sportsman who has distinguished himself in his calling as a true servant of God and lover of humanity.
The Manager, Sapientia Radio Communications, Fr. Aloy Orakwe, described Fr. Martin as a very creative person who can bring transformation in any position he is assigned to which has endeared him to many people.
The member representing Onitsha South Constituency 11 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Beverly Nkemdiche –Ikpeazu, described him as “a legend and phenomenal”.
“He is my brother, adviser, my father and much more. When I first started in politics after my return from America, he gave me candid advice. He will pray for me and I really depended on him for so many things because though he is a Catholic priest, he is very knowledgeable in many things.  I wish him many more and ask God to keep strengthening him to do more,” he said.
Fr. Martin’s father, 84-year old Achike Onukwuba told Oriental News that Fr. Martin has exhibited an inborn trait of Catholicism from his childhood.
His son, he said, has been interested in church affairs as an altar boy and when he indicated interest in going into priesthood, he decided to give him his blessings.
Dr. Bayo Aluko Olokun , a surgeon, working in collaboration with Princess Stella Oduah Foundation also told Oriental News that he was drawn into supporting Father Martin Soteria Mission because of its altruistic nature.
He said the priest has a track record of transparent help to the needy and service to humanity while his supporter, Princess Oduah has also been a dogged fighter for the up-liftment and development of the society in general.
Dr. Aisha Saliu , director, Neighbour to Neighbour Initiative, Abuja also speaking said she came to support Father Martin Soteria Project because of the involvement of Princess Oduah and also because the project is in line with the objectives of the initiative in empowering people.
The Judicial Vicar, Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Joseph Nwakoby, in a chat went down memory lane: “I was ordained the same day with Fr. Martin and I can say so far so good. We were 131 candidates admitted on 12^th September 1974 at the junior seminary, but only 15 of us made it to the priesthood in 1989.  Fr. Martin is a book to be read and what I’m seeing here today is marvelous and I think he deserves it being good priest and somebody very passionate about God and humanity. For the pet project, it is a continuation of what I used to know him for and I’m happy about that.”
Ex-seminarian and Vice Chancellor, Anambra State University, Uli, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, who incidentally is the president, All Hallows Seminary Old Boys Association described Fr. Martin as a go-getter who achieves positive result in all he undertakes.
He said that Fr. Martins has a character that endears him to others and prayed that he should continue in the same order even to celebrate 50 years of his priesthood.
Princess Oduah who quietly left the scene when Fr. Martin reeled out all she has done for him quipped to Oriental News that the event has been worthwhile.
“It is a wonderful event and very encouraging one that there is need to give back to the society. It doesn’t matter who you are because it is God that made you who you are , so you are obliged to give a portion of that back to the society, that’s what we have witnessed today,” she said.
The occasion featured presentation of gift items to the celebrant and generous support to the pet project.