THE CONFERMENT OF THE TITLE OF NNADIUGWU ON A MAN OF CHARACTER WITH LOVE, CHIEF IKEOHA MARCEL OGBONNA AMU BY THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NSUKKA

A man of character is loved not just for his charm but also for his integrity, strength and the safe harbour he provides for humanity. He is the one who loves you with his actions, demonstrating consistent kindness, unwavering honesty and a proactive heart that makes you feel cherished, safe and truly see.

Nothing is so matching like the proverbial square pegs in square holes. It represents a perfect fit, alignment or suitability, where an object or a person belongs exactly where they are. Thus was the justification of the St. James Catholic Parish Aku to nominate Ikeoha Marcel Amu as her candidate for the investiture of the prestigious Nnadiugwu title of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka performed by our Lord Bishop, the Most. Rev. Godfrey Igwebike Onah on April 11th, 2026 at St. Theresa's Cathedral Nsukka.

The event which started on Friday April 10th, 2026 with a retreat for the selected 200 candidates, each coming from the Constituting Parishes of the Diocese was activities packaged such as retreat, Holy procession, homily, reception and presentation of certificates of award on the final day of the event, April 11th, 2026. On that Saturday, the investiture ceremony, coordinated by the Bishop himself, provided a mood of spiritual relaxation where the souls of everyone present came in contact with God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bishop was apt in his homily during the Holy Mass as he reminded those opportuned to be selected to see their selections as act of God especially as they are the pioneer awardees of the worthy & prestigious honour of Nnadiugwu. Hear the Bishop: "I have to congratulate you for your selection for this investiture which is the first of its kind in the Diocese. You should always remember that it was by the grace of God that this honour is being done on you. You have to appreciate it by living an examplarry life of faith and action before the public as great ambassadors and militant soldiers of Christ. You can only achieve this by being close associates of Jesus Christ bearing witnesses daily to His resurrection".

The event which was climaxed with the issuing of certificates of Conferment had our man of character with love, Chief Ikeoha Marcel Amu as a worthy awardee. Nothing is so deserving like a crown on a fitted head. Chief Ikeoha Marcel Amu who came from the legendary Ezeoha Ogota family, a premier family of a premier village in Aku, Umudikwu in Nua Ohaebia had paid his price to humanity to deserve the award. An accomplished professional in the oil and gas sector with a long range of cognate experience as a manager of men, resources and materials at NNPC, and who had reached the zenith of his career, is equally an accomplished technocrat, a man with a heart ever flowing with milk and honey for humanity. One of his Philanthropic establishments is his pet project, Janet Amu Foundation, (JAF), a Foundation birthed in body, spirit and soul to improve on human existence on earth.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Prof. Ejiofor Ugah, Chief John Igwebike Agu and Echibe Okechukwu, the Foundation, established over a decade ago is living up to its foundational philosophy. According to them, Janet Amu Foundation has provided the educational opportunities for over hundred students selected across Nsukka senatorial zone, Benue and Delta States who would have found it difficult to access university education. On an annual basis, the Foundation gives out bursaries to students to pursue their different university programs and by this act, it has graduated over 50 students since its inception. Equally, the Foundation had provided health care interventions to many numerous Nigerians (especially in Aku Diewa) that had suffered different degrees of health challenges and to the glory of God most of them recovered from their ailments.

Things of faith are always telepathically driven amongst the concerned faithfuls. According to the Parish Priest of St. James Catholic Parish Aku who doubles as the Dean of the Catholic Deanery of Aku, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Ikpe, Ikeoha Marcel Amu was selected to be conferred with the title not because of his financial war chest but his contributions to the growth and development of the church. The Priest added that Ikeoha always ensures perfection in all things about the Parish. His love for humanity the Rev. Fr said, is not limited to his immediate and extended families or Parish but the generality of mankind. Rev. Fr. Ikpe averred that Chief Amu detests greatly oppression and suppression of people irrespective of their cloak forms. In the church, the Priest said, Chief Amu is always thrilled by anything that concerns God and spirituality and has been of immense contributions to the growth of the church. With emphasis, the Priest stated that the recognition of Ikeoha's spirit of magnanimity, care, concern and love earned him his selection through a voice vote by the parishioners devoid of any influence or sentiment. The Priest further stated that Chief Amu deserved to be conferred with the title of Nnadiugwu because he is a humane and humble servant of God who had never blown his trumpet by himself.

In their message of good will, his staff at GEOEST Energy Ltd, proudly Stated that their MD/CEO, Chief Ikeoha Marcel Amu deserves this award as he continuously touches lives in so many ways through his pet project, Janet Amu Foundation (JAF). The outfit unequivocally stated that their MD/CEO, Chief Amu is a unifier, inspirator, Leader-Manager, mentor and Philanthropist per excellence whose strength of character, resilience, persistence, dexterity, ingenuity and honesty are enviable.

In his comment over his investiture as Nnadiugwu, Chief Ikeoha Marcel Ogbonna Amu has the following to say: "My thanks first and foremost go to our Lord Bishop and the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka for their wisdom to come up with this idea of instituting the investiture which will go a long way to refresh the spiritual well being and doggedness of those conferred in our efforts to serve God and the Church better. I must equally thank my home Parish, St. James Catholic Parish Aku for this honour done on me by electing me as their candidate for the award. The award to me, is a catalyst that will spur me for more positive actions while serving God and humanity"

Chief Ikeoha Marcel Amu has remained the willing, led by the unknown, doing the impossible for humanity. He has done so much for so long with so little and is now qualified to do anything with nothing. May the good God keep raining upon him bountiful blessings.

Scripted by: Comrade Emma Ugbor Nwani

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