…As Pa Igwemmar Goes Home
By Michael Nnebife
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, has advised Christians to use their talents for good of humanity and for a better society.
The Catholic Bishop gave the advice while delivering a homily at a burial Mass of Chief Dominic Chiejina Igwemmar, a retired Latin Language teacher at St John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha and other seminaries
Bishop Ezeokafor, who thanked God for the life and times of Pa Igwemmar whom he described as a rare gift of God to humanity, reminded Christians of the inevitability of death.
‘It is certain that one day, you must leave this world, no matter how you grab it, hold it, and do everything to succeed in it.
‘What is important is not the financial gain you made in your call, but how many lives you touched positively.
‘It is said that people who help to train others to become useful are like stars.
‘We believe Igwemmar was one of them. He imparted the knowledge of Latin Language to many seminarians and generations of priests.
‘So, he had done his part, and we are very happy. Like him, all of you should try to use every talent you have for the good of others, so as to make the world a better place,’ the Bishop advised the congregation, urging them to learn from Pa Igwemmar’s life, which, he noted, was full of dedication to service.
Ezeokafor expressed optimism that the legacy Igwemmar left would stand the test of time.
He consoled Igwemmar’s Family, urging them to take solace on the remarkable legacy their patriarch left behind, and prayed for peaceful repose of his soul.
Responding, a son of the deceased, Mr Dominic Charles Igwemmar Jnr, expressed gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor, the throngs of Catholic priests, and the dignitaries that attended the Mass, who included a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, represented by Prof Patrick Obi, for identifying with Igwemmar’s Family and for the care and concern showed to their father.
Shortly after the Mass, some individuals who drank from Pa Igwemmar’s milk of academic wealth in Latin Language spoke with Fides about the sterling qualities of Pa Igwemmar.
Among them, were the Secretary to the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rev Fr Evaristus Ifeanacho; the Rector, St John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, Rev Fr Daniel Eduzor; the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Savio Bosco Old Boys Association, Valentine Obienyem, among others.
Obienyem described Pa Igwemmar as a very great Latin Language teacher. ‘As a teacher he had a peculiar pedagogic skill; he never became tired of his class. His class was full of joy to all who was privileged to be part of it,’ he said.
For his part, the Secretary to the Awka Catholic Bishop, Rev Fr Ifeanacho, said Pa Igwemmar was very much dedicated to his duty as a teacher, with a passion for the Latin Language he was teaching.
To the Rector, St John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, Rev Fr Eduzor, ‘Pa Igwemmar was a kind of teacher that keeps his class lively; you cannot be in his class without being happy. With his high sense of humour, his class was also perfect and lively. Nobody came into his class and left the class without understanding what he taught.’
Fr Eduzor, Fr Ifeanacho and Mr Obienyem, advised today’s teachers to emulate Pa Igwemmar’s life of dedication to duty, passion and love to the teaching profession, among others.
The burial Mass which was celebrated in Latin in honour of Pa Igwemmar, took place at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Achala, in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Thursday, 20th February, amid throngs of Catholic priests; a number of pious organizations; members of Savio Bosco Old Boys Association; prominent individuals in the area, who included a former Vice-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Fidelis Okafor; among others.
