Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
In a requiem Mass held to commend the souls of the late Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu and Rev. Fr. Michael Oli to God’s mercy, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) once again issued a scathing indictment of the nation’s deteriorating security situation, calling for urgent government intervention and civic responsibility.
Delivering the homily at the usual midday Mass for CSN staff, Fr. Michael Banjo, celebrated the life of Bishop Chukwu, the third Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, who passed away at the age of sixty. The Secretary General noted that while the Bishop’s tenure lasted less than five years, his impact was defined by his “docility to the will of God” and his commitment to the theology of service.
”He understood clearly that power reaches its highest dignity when it stoops to serve,” Fr. Banjo stated, referencing the Bishop’s episcopal motto, Totus Tuus Ego Sum (I am totally yours). The Bishop was further remembered for his disciplined spirit and his role as Assistant Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where his attention to details served as a sign of faithful stewardship.
The homily also honored Rev. Fr. Michael Oli, whose missionary generosity led him to serve at CSN and beyond Nigeria. Having served as the Director of the National Catholic Service Centre from 2015 to 2017, Fr. Oli died while still on active mission—a final testimony to a life given entirely to the Gospel.
Transitioning from tribute to social lament, Fr. Banjo addressed the “painful realities” currently facing Nigeria. He described a country where news of death, kidnapping, and torture has become a constant, daily occurrence.
Fr. Banjo highlighted the heart-rending images of the Jos killings, comparing a mother cradling her lifeless son to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross. The homily specifically drew attention to the “deeply disturbing” case of John Arum, a young university student currently in captivity. Fr. Banjo condemned the unsettling video evidence of Arum’s torture, asking, “How did Nigeria degenerate to this?”.
Fr. Banjo insisted that “A nation cannot heal while the cries of the suffering meet with silence.”
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria utilised the sacred platform to demand that those entrusted with public responsibility fulfill their primary duty: the protection of life and the promotion of the common good. Fr. Banjo insisted that a nation cannot heal while the cries of the suffering meet with silence.
Looking toward the future, the homilist emphasised that the responsibility for change also rests with the citizenry. With elections approaching, he urged Nigerians to obtain or update their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). describing the ballot as the “most powerful voice of the ordinary citizen” and a “peaceful instrument” to shape the destiny of the nation.
Fr. Banjo specifically called upon young people to reject apathy and participate actively in choosing leaders who will safeguard life and restore peace.
The Mass concluded with a final prayer for the souls of the departed, leaving the congregation with a searching question: “When our own hour comes, what testimony will our lives offer?”.
