Elaboración del diagnóstico

Source: Nnewi Diocesans Catholic Association (2009).

Born at Utuh in 1907, Francis was already initiated into the Udoh shrine worship from his earliest years. However, there occurred the unexpected death of the chief priest of the shrine.

This was followed by the six months traditional burial rites of the erstwhile chief priest. He happened to be the uncle of Francis. Francis was therefore reluctantly convinced by his mother to embrace Christianity. Christianity was then referred to as UkaOnyeocha (white man religion). Thus Francis began his journey into Christianity. He gradually developed interest and within a period of three years was prepared for baptism. Following his baptism in 1926 by Fr. Beach, his confirmation followed in 1928 by Bishop Heerey. Subsequently he began the daily trek to Ugwu-Orie Ozubulu to attend school. He and others use to start trekking from as early as 5:00am every morning. He completed his studies to Standard VI by 1934. After this, he was personally posted to Utuh by Fr. John Cross Anyogu in 1936 to begin his teaching career. He traversed the eight villages of Utuh, to explain to them the necessity of education. Subsequently, he worked with Fr. Tansi at Umudioka and seven other towns in the Dunukofia zone as a Catechist teacher. His teaching career was cut short by the Nigerian Civil War. He came back home to Utuh, to continue helping out until his death in 1995.

Plate 9: Showing Catechists Chief (Dr) Gillbert Ekwenugo Okeke

Source: Lolo Esther Okeke Igwe Ozuomee Compound Odoata Village Ihiala

Born in 1915 at Ihiala, he came from the Aro background. It was with reluctance that his father allowed him to enroll in the school, being his potential heir. Nevertheless, he was said to have completed his eleven year primary school programme under six years; with distinction. Thus he was recruited as a Catechist – teacher by the white missionaries will served a brief teaching stint which saw him teaching at Oguta, Awo-Omama and Port Harcourt. By 1938, he went for further studies at Etukokwu Commercial College Onitsha.

Lady Lolo Esther Okeke (2019) Igwe Ozuome Compound Odoata Village Ihiala.

On his graduation he became the Principal of the Nigerian College of Commerce, Port Harcourt. After this he then left for Sapele. There he opened two schools in 1941, Abbot College, Sapele and Abbot Primary School in 1945. In 1955, he replicated these in his hometown Ihiala, founding Abbot Boys Secondary School Ihiala and in 1964 Abbot Girls Secondary School. He was variously the first Chairman of Onitsha Southern District Council, elected member Eastern House of Assembly, serving as the Hon. Minister of Transport, Education and Economic planning. He was instrumental to the founding of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (U.N.N.) and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri (A.I.C.E.O) and has sat on the Board of several high institutions. In 1965, he was installed the Igwe Ozuomee of Ihiala and by 1971 established the popular Ihiala Starch Manufacturing Industry which afforded employment opportunities to so many. Many developmental protects have been accomplished in Ihiala under his auspices. He is a recipient of so many national and international academic and non-academic awards. His honours include an MBE, Papal Honours/Medale, Honourary President and Mayor of the City of Louisiana, United State of America (U.S.A). He is happily retired. According to his wife Lolo Esther Okeke, he departed this world on May 2^nd 1997 at the right age of 82 year. He died a very fulfilled man leaving so much legacy in his trail.

11. Catechists (Mr). Timothy Onyeanusi (1924 – 1997)

Born at Adazi in 1924, he is a native of Aguluizigbo Timothy attended school in Aguluzigbo, Ekwulobia, Adazi and Igboukwu to complete his standard VI. He then began work as a Catechist – teacher in 1948 at St. Andrews Adazi under the Teacher Headmaster Adimachukwu. He worked briefly with Fr. Bodly at St. Patrick‟s Awka and later at

Umuokpu Awka. In the course of the initiative with Catechist Onyema, he recalled how many Ozo titled men who had to abandon their Ozoship in the aftermath of their conversion.

He recounts low in their days every Catechist–teacher lived in the school‟s Teacher‟s Quarters. According to him, no teacher lived in the town. They rather visited their home on Fridays and returned before Saturday evening.

He paid glowing tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Okai whom he encountered at Adazi. He vividly remembers how Madam Veronica Okai would prepare the prospective Christian mothers and how their prospective husbands usually brought firewood, water and food for the ladies.

He would subsequently spend the rest of his years as a Catechist-teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Igboukwu, where he worked under many expatriate and indigenous Rev.

Fathers until he retired in the year 2000.

He recalled that his basic salary was 15 shillings and that he trekked for 19 years before Mr. Mark Eze bought him a bicycle. One of Timothy‟s son was ordained a priest, ten years ago, Timothy is now gracefully retired at 94 years. (Onyeamusi, 2018).