By Valentine Obienyem
Yes, I can proudly proclaim that we belong to the same household – Anyagu Kindred in Obe Village. His father was a noted headmaster and interpreter to the early missionaries. He built one of the first storey buildings in Anambra, known in the village as “Unu Enu Ebebe.” In fact, as a young wife, my mother had her tailoring shop in that very building – so strong and enduring that it still stands today. Fr. Cosmas, like many of us, is deeply desirous of its preservation. I shall, in fact, discuss with the State Commissioner for Culture about that.
As one of the earliest headmasters in our area, and perhaps in the East, his father played a defining role in shaping the educational destiny of our people. He inspired many from our village, including my own father, to become teachers – far more than in any other village in Agulu, or perhaps even in Anambra State.
He was also my father’s godfather. We regarded him as a highly civilised man, and rightly so. He delighted in giving his children grand, saintly names such as Charles-Borromeo, Martin-Joseph, Patrick-Anthony, Mary-Dymphna, Cosmas-Bruno, Bernard-Becket — a reflection of his cultured and faith-filled mind.
Yesterday, Fr. Cosmas turned sixty-four. His message to me was characteristically profound:
“October 7, 2025 — Greetings and God’s blessings. In the mystery of God, I am 64 years old today. It is the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Our Blessed Mother received and granted the grace of my birth on her day of victory through the Rosary. Let us hold onto the Virgin Mary for our salvation. She is the Mother of our Saviour. Please, say one HAIL MARY for me. God loves you. Be assured of my prayers and good wishes.”
— Fr. Cosmas Ebebe
Fr. Ebebe is one of the rare human beings I have encountered, a man whose intellect and compassion coexist in perfect harmony. Around 2007, while he was President of the Awka Diocesan Priests in Rome, I visited Rome with Mr. Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret, we had come from London.
We stayed in Rome for about six hours before returning. When Fr. Ebebe visited our hotel room, I was sitting in the parlour with Her Excellency, while Oga was inside. He greeted her warmly and, in his characteristic humour, said, “How are you, Your Excellency? How are you managing Peter and his ideas?” One could tell instantly that he was not referring to ordinary ideas.
Interestingly, Fr. himself might not realise that his own ideas often require “management” too! He is a man brimming with vision and energy, always thinking of what to do next and how to do it. From establishing a small library in the village to engaging students during holidays, he is perpetually working for the good of others.
He founded the defunct village students’ union and other organisations devoted to the growth and progress of our community – though, sadly, many of those he seeks to inspire are too backward to understand his vision. Even now, he organises holiday lessons every long vacation in our village.
A few years ago, he dreamt of converting the land near where the Haba deity stands into a Marian Grotto – transforming a place of superstition into a site of prayer and pilgrimage. That is Fr. Cosmas for you: always visionary, always yearning to sanctify the ordinary.
As a young seminarian in Akpu Seminary, when he was serving as Auxiliary at Isuaniocha in 1985, a time without internet or mobile phones, he showed me remarkable care and encouragement, knowing I was next in line for the priesthood from our village. He would always write to me.
When we once revolted in the seminary, he was glad to hear that I was not part of it and promptly wrote to express his delight. In that letter, he said: “I hope the dust you people raised has settled? Always be yourself, and never join others in perpetuating vices.”
In another letter, after seeing my report card during the holidays, he wrote with joy and ended with this timeless counsel: “Good, better, best; I will never rest, till my good is better, and my better best.” That is Fr. Cosmas for you – ever the teacher, ever the moral guide.
Whenever we returned home on holidays, he would invite me to visit him. Even at that tender age, he would engage one in thoughtful conversations about life, success, and hard work, asking what we then considered as outlandish questions. He would give me two or three novels to read and summarise during the holidays. His room was filled with newspaper cuttings and witty sayings pasted all over the walls — a true scholar’s den.
He has authored many books, including “Let’s Go”, “Keep Moving”, “Pause and Ponder”, “Peter Obi: A Teacher of Values” among many others. Fr. Cosmas never misses an opportunity to teach, to challenge, and to inspire. He has served as Diocesan Chancellor and has spent most of his priestly life teaching and imparting knowledge. He is presently lecturing at the Catholic Institute of West Africa and on sabbatical in the United States.
Even now, he still makes time to comment on my numerous posts – always with encouragement and insight. Some of his students, especially in the seminary often tell me how deeply Fr. loves scholarship and how fond he is of those who share that same passion.
As Fr. turned sixty-four yesterday, I did exactly what he requested – one Hail Mary for him, commending him into the loving hands of the Mother of our Lord. May God continue to guard and guide him as he journeys on in wisdom and grace.
Valentine Obienyem writes from Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
