UGOCHI NWAGBO reports for www.odogwublog.com that though so many students numbering over 5,000 have benefited from the scholarship scheme of his Communio Sanctorum Prayer Ministry where he is the Director and Founder, Rev Fr. Bonachristus Uchenna Umeogu’s sponsorship of the 2017 National Youth Oratory battle even with a star prize of N1 Million was an eye opener to many on his level of charity and interest on youth empowerment and development.
Ugo Ijeoma Ndianiefo, a Nigerian Youth from Otolo Nnewi in Nnewi Local Government area of Anambra state was the winner of the coveted one million naira price, mapped out for the competition. He is a law student of University of Abuja.
He also proceeded to one week leadership training in South Africa for his ingenuity and prowess in oratory.
The oratory battle which is fast becoming the Nigeria’s biggest platform for youth interactions and constructive argument, held at Chicotel hotel and suit, Awka saw over 1000 Nigerian youths drawn from more than forty Nigerian tertiary institutions in attendance. The participants spoke on Nigeria’s qualification as entrepreneurial hub of Africa. Already the second edition is in the offing.
Fr. Umeogu said he desires to see youths with constructive thinking who can take their destinies in their hands.
“We are seriously looking forward to seeing the future belonging to the youths, we also need youth who can wait and not be tired of waiting and youths with critical thinking who can solve the problems of Nigeria , thereby creating standards of values.
“Some people, especially the youth move with crowd and hence, lose their vision, identity and point of view in life. We are seriously looking for a civilized future.
“If one is a leader and doesn’t care about the person he is leading, it is a doom and that is why we must all strive to build a civilized society” he said.
The Oratory battle programme was a brain child of the Rev Fr Prof Bona and the triplets who founded VIP-Hub Media anchors, Ekene, Chiagozie and Elochukwu Ezeumeanya who developed the idea to become the darling of the undergraduate students of tertiary institutions.
The VIP’s hub reality Television show, according to Ekene, one of the organizers, was established in 2011 as a literary Insight Network (LIN). It was a university based club that frequently organized book and poetry reading sessions and review for her student members.
Ekene said they visited so many illustrious men and women and even Church leaders and Government officials in Anambra state and beyond but met a brick wall before the prying eye of a youth friendly catholic priest and former Head, department of Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, now the Director of Igbo Village and Center for African Civilization , UNIZIK Rev. Father Prof. Bonachristus Uchenna Umeogu caught them and he volunteered to give future to Nigerian youths by sponsoring the National Youth Oratory Battle with all the prizes involved including the One Million naira prize and the trip to south Africa.
The triplets prayed Fr Bona be supported by the Churches, the government and people of goodwill to ensure he continues his charity work in philanthropy as well as prayers and healing for the good of humanity? His good works of God should continue for Go and Humanity.
‘’His mission is beyond reproach and he has been so dutiful in assisting the people especially the downtrodden, the sick and the deprived in the society at little or no cost with his nature’s drugs specially prepared by him.
‘’ we implore the Church of God to support this their own in actualizing his dream for the down trodden , less privileged and challenged. Have you seen the kind of people that visit him his Sanctorium in Awka? The Sanctorium at Umunya ground but the entire population now comes to Awka? We pray the place opens again for the service of God and humanity.
The event was a success and full of praises for Fr Bona a.k.a Muo na Mmadu as he is fondly called and it attracted staff and students of various tertiary institutions, parents and other stakeholders including the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof, Chinyere Stella Okunna, Commissioner for Education, Anambra state, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Primary education, Lady Pat Offia. They all came to witness the intellectual battle.
Other dignitaries at the event include the NDLEA Commander in Anambra state, Mr. Sule Momodu, Deputy Registrar, GSS, UNIZIK, Ngozi Bekky Adirika, Prof Ike Odumegwu, Prof Ngozi Ezeadi, Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission, Prof. Chika Muo, Prof Ogo Ibeneme, state secretary, NBA, Barr. Nnamdi Anagor, Nollywood star, Dike Obi among others.
One of the foresighted and multi talented triplets, Mr. Ekene Ezeumeanya advised Nigerian youths to insist on hard work, resilience and integrity as a brand that will always guide their conduct, stating that they decided to go into the oratory battle for human formation.
He regretted that Nigerian government and individuals have not created a conducive environment for youth entrepreneurship to thrive in the country, even as he described such as no barrier to human development for anyone that wants to succeed and survive in life.
On her part, Prof Okunna frowned at the slow pace of development in Nigeria but expressed optimism that the future will be better for Nigerian youth while thanking Prof Umeogu for his charity in philanthropy.
“I am optimistic that there is hope for Nigeria. Nigeria has great potentials but we are not utilizing it, We need SMEs to grow but my worry is that the SMEs may not thrive unless the power sector improves”
The following participants were the finalists of the National youth Oratory battle: Akwue Chisom, Ugwu simeon, Anidebe Collins, Nwenyi Ogechi, Nweke Chioma, Nwogo Hillary, Eze Nwakuba and Akpalankwu Alexander.
Others were Okou-Akirika Ginika, Mgbeoji Chikwelite, Ezennaya Faith, Placid Martins, Ozoani Chukwuebuka, Ugo Ijeoma Ndianiefo and Adierem Jennifer.
Proponents of the verbal battle argued that Nigeria has groomed and nurtured young entrepreneurs and have advanced the economy of Africa through its rich culture, business ideas and orientation as well as its population.
But the visibly angry opponents wondered why Nigeria should be regarded as the entrepreneurial hub of Africa while only few individuals in the country are entrepreneurs and a country characterized by lack of power supply, multiple taxation among others.
At the end of the competition, Ugo Ijeoma Ndianiefo came first with 83.3 points, followed by Nwenyi Ogechi, Placid Martins, Eze nwakuba and Anidebe Collins.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Umeogu a.k.a (Mmuo na Mmadu) is an educationist of note and a worthy trailblazer for Nigerian and African clergymen. He has proved with his life that being a clergyman is no barrier to success through hard work and planning; for remaining a powerful flame of inspiration for a new Nigeria anchored on enlightenment.
He is, indeed, one of the few Nigerian clergies in the academic world, who know their onus in the teaching profession.
Born in Unubi, Anambra State, on the 10th day of June, 1967, he attended St. Paul’s Seminary, Onitsha (1980-1984); Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri (1986-1989), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1991-1993). He bagged Diploma in Latin 1983, Bachelor in Philosophy in 1989, M.A Western Metaphysics in 1993 in first class honours and Ph D African Metaphysics in 1999. Prior to his call and ordination, he made his BA in Theology in Rome at the Pontifical University of Holy Cross (Santa Croce) Rome in 2010. He has also numerous certificates and Diplomas in various Languages such as Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Italian, German, French, and on various sacred and international discipline.
His teaching career started at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. He was Lecturer I between 1999 and 2002; Lecturer II between 2002 and 2005, and Senior Lecturer from 2005 till date; and was later appointed a professor of Philosophy in the university in 2002. He is the former Head of Department (HOD), Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and currently ,the Director , Igbo Village and Center for African Civilization , Nnamdi Azikiwe Univeristy Awka.
Prof. Umeogu had made useful contributions in the development of education in Nigeria. He sole-authored eleven books including: Systematic Philosophy, Systematic Universe, Principia Logical, Summa Metaphysica, The People of Unubi, Per Christum Dominium Nostrum, AZ Simplified English Language, Afo Philosophy, Oji, Igbo Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Igbo Philosophy of Education and Mass Communication. He also has 45 monographs and 22 Journal Articles to his credit.
Sixteen Musical Productions and Poetry authored by Rev. Fr. Prof. Bonaventure Umeogu is a clear attestation that he is blessed with the gift of poetry and music. Among his music are: Ezudo, Ezenwanyi, Ozo Amuma, Egbeigwe, Eze-Ebube Kunie, Communion Praise and Communion Worship. Among his collection of poems are: Logic of Obiefuna, Echoes fron the Mask, Fears of the tongues, Race of Antelopes, Don’t say I told you, Slaps upon the thigh, Throne of Idleness, Metaphysics of Ujamaa and Head of the Masquerade.
. Umeogu is a member of many professional associations including, Nigeria Philosophical Association (NPA), International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISAPS), Society for the Development of African Philosophy, Science and Technology (SODAPSAT), as well as Health and Metaphysical Society (HALMAS).
. He is the founding Editor of OGIRISI: A New Journal of African Studies. He was the Editor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of Philosophy (2010-2012). He is also the Editor-In-Chief of the Sacred Communion.
Among Prof. Umeogu’s administrative experiences are: Head of Department of Philosophy (2001-2005), Head of Department of Philosophy (2012 –date), Member of University Examination Misconduct Committee (2004-2005) and Member of the University Academic Planning and Strategic Committee (2004-2005).
. He bagged many awards and distinctions, including: A Vocational Service Award from the Rotaract Club of Onitsha East (2001); Leadership per Excellence Award from the Department of Philosophy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (2006); Merit Award from Deanery Laity Council (2003); Merit Award from the National Union of Anambra State Students (2006); Merit Award from the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (2006); and Vocational Service Excellence Award of the Rotaract Club of UNIZIK, Awka (2012), among many others.
He is a polyglot, pedagogue , Radio and Tv star and imbued with rare academic stamina and super intelligence, hence he could be passed as an avatar and has completed supervision of more than seventy post graduate students M.A and PhD.
Fr Bona insisted that his mission is to empower youths spiritually, intellectually, and morally asking the youths to ensure they are in the world but without losing their virtues. He lamented the lack of synergy between the youths and adults in the society as well as lack of mentorship which the youths needed most. He encouraged youths to have character and knowledge that are pure and not laced in immorality because knowledge with character would resolve problems of mankind.
He concluded that his zeal to serve God through charity in philanthropy motivates him into assisting youths. He does more of charity because it is without attachment for what one would benefit.
Charity works of Rev Fr. Prof Bonachristus Uchenna Umeogu and N1 Million Oratory Battle Price
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