Learn about Fr Peter Omogo, Catholic priest, humanitarian, educator and Co-founder of the Samuel Omogo Foundation. Discover his projects, ministry and community impact across Nigeria.
Priesthood and Pastoral Work in Nigeria
After the tedious and rigorous seminary formation, Peter was at last ordained a catholic priest of Abakaliki Diocese on 10th July 2004 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Nnachi Okoro. He celebrated his first Holy Mass at St John’s Catholic Church, Ndiagu Eshi, Umuogudu Oshia, now Mater Dei Parish Ngbo on 11th July 2004 during the administration of his Parish Priest the Very Rev. Fr. Mathew Isukpa.
Going to one’s Parish to serve would seem in the eyes of the parishioners that maybe the priest in question has done something to warrant a little punishment. In the case of Fr. Peter, it was his first assignment. The Bishop told him the reason for sending him to his home Parish, was simply to do his best and change the place. Fr. Peter did exactly that. His first challenge was the rectory which was not in good condition. Remember, his ordination reception was well attended by the parishioners, friends, family, elites of Ngbo and beyond, and political classes of all levels. With this, he received lots of cash gifts. Seeing the father’s house in that shape he used most of the money he received during the ordination reception to renovate the father’s house to a very top shape
Priestly Pastoral Work in Nigeria – Holy Trinity Parish Ngbo
“The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the gray hair” – Proverb 20:29. As a man full of vigor and determination, he took on the role of the parish priest with unwavering devotion. Father Peter embarked on a journey that would not only strengthen the foundations of faith but also uplift an entire community.
“The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the gray hair” – Proverb 20:29. As a man full of vigor and determination, he took on the role of the parish priest with unwavering devotion. Father Peter embarked on a journey that would not only strengthen the foundations of faith but also uplift an entire community.
One of the first challenges Father Peter encountered upon accepting his posting was the state of the Parish father’s house. It lacked adequate space for the parish priest, visitors, and the cook. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s wisdom, “You must be the change you want to see in the world,” he embarked on a mission to renovate the father’s house using the money that was given to him during his ordination reception. Father Peter decided to renovate the house, ensuring that it would be a comfortable and welcoming space for all who sought refuge there.
After the completion of the renovation of the father’s house, the young priest was faced with another major task of creation of new parish from the mother parish. For this goal to be approved he focused on the major prerequisite which was erection of the rectory (father’s house) at Umuogudu Oshia. He followed this task vigorously going through the thick forest of Egwegwe to see the trees donated by the elders of the community. Parishioners from Ndaburuebenyi were given the task of scooping sand from the Ebonyi River while ladies in the parish area gathered stones. With this spirit of teamwork, the parish father’s house was built, and the parish was given and named Mater Dei with Rev. Fr Alex Eze appointed as the first parish priest in 2005.
Father Peter’s keen eye and compassionate heart couldn’t help but notice a more profound issue plaguing the community – the educational backwardness of the children of the village in particular and of Ngbo in general. These young minds were forced to embark on arduous treks of over 100 kilometers to attend school near the Okwo market, a journey fraught with danger, especially for the girl child.
He heeded the advice of Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”. Father Peter, a staunch advocate of education, couldn’t stand idly by when he witnessed the challenges these children faced. He knew that he had to take action. Thus, with the same vigor and determination that fueled his renovations, he set out to establish the Holy Trinity College Ngbo.
Starting a standard boarding school was no small feat, especially in a parish that was grappling with financial constraints. Funds that were supposed to be used to feed the parish priest, renovate the Parish house, and equip the father’s house were now being redirected toward this new educational endeavor. Father Peter’s story serves as a testament to the enduring power of youthful strength and determination. His unwavering commitment to both his faith and the betterment of his community led to the transformation of Holy Trinity Parish and the lives of countless children who gained access to quality education.
Within just one year of his posting, Father Peter’s dream took shape, and Holy Trinity College Ngbo became a reality. In its first year, September, 2005 the school welcomed its inaugural class of over 50 students, offering them the promise of a brighter future. These students were pioneers, venturing into uncharted territory with the support of their dedicated priest and principal.
Over the years, the school flourished under Father Peter’s guidance and other priests who took over from him. The pioneer students who had enrolled in Holy Trinity College Ngbo graduated, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and achievement. Many of them went on to become influential figures in society, men and women of timber and caliber, contributing to the progress of their community and beyond.
In the end, Proverb 20:29 rings true as Father Peter, once a young man full of strength, grew into the beauty of the grey head, a symbol of wisdom and experience earned through a lifetime of dedication. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched and the institution he established, a beacon of hope and knowledge in Ngbo and beyond.
Below is an abridged list of some of the graduates of Holy Trinity College Ngbo in various endeavors of life.
- Ebonyi Benjamin Ede (Medical Doctor)
- Edeh Elijah N. (Medical Doctor)
- Okafor Innocent K (Nurse)
- Okpara Goodness (Nurse)
- Ogba chukwuebuka (Pharmacist)
- Ose ifeanyi A. (Pharmacist)
- N w a g u D a n i e l C . ( M e d i c a l Laboratory Scientist)
- Jennifer ugbala (Biomedical scientist)
- Odo Hellen (Dental therapist)
- N w o g b o j i D a n i e l ( M e d i c a l Laboratory Scientist)
- Elom Fabian (Medical Laboratory Scientist)
- Ituma Jane (Medical Laboratory Scientist)
LAWYERS:
- Okwo Juliet
- Ngwu Micheal
- Frances igwe
- Onwa Tobenna
- Ituma Kelvin
- Igwe peter c.
- Egba Winifred
- Ebenyi Joseph
- Onwe Nnanna
- Odoh Mathias
ENGINEERS:
- Solomon Ngbo. (Civil)
- Nwoba chinedu Linus (Civil)
- Idenyi Emmanuel C. (Electrical electronics)
- Ukpo Silas (electrical)
- Okenwa Victor C. (Agric and Bio-resources)
- Samuel Udechukwu (mechanical)
- Nwokpuru victor. (Mechatronics)
TEACHERS:
- Ababa Ogechi Esther (Educationist.)
- Ogbuzuru Emmanuella (Igbo Education)
- Akpu Stephen I (Teacher)
- Ituma Jane (Teacher)
- Felicia Obia
ENTREPRENEURS
- Elom John
- Ugwu Emmanuel
- Nweke ifeanyi
- Jonh Nwigbakpor.
- Ori Benjamin
- Mmaduabuchi Collins
- Okoli Stella
- Dominic Ogodo
- Chidiebere Michael A. (Oil and gas)
- Solomon Nwedeoga (Trading)
- Igweonu Cynthia C. (Fashion designer)
- Mbachu Patience (fashion designer)
MILITARY/ PARAMILITARY
- Lt. Ede Ikenna. (Nigerian Soldier)
- Idenyi Eunice O (Nigeria Correctional Services)
- John Elibe (Nigerian Air Force)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
- 1 Ede Ejiofor (Surveyor)
- Okoh Emmanuel (Architect)
- Onukpa Emmanuel (Architect)
SOCIAL SCIENCES:
- Nwankwo Emmanuel (Criminologist).
- Nwibo. Francisca A. (Political analyst)
- Orji Chinyere R. (Psychologist)
- Ikporo Gladys (Accountant)
- Odoh Ebubrchi (Political Scientist)
- Onuoha Augustine (Sociology)
- Emeh Collins (Economics)
- Oda Kelvin (Political Scientist)
- Odo Ngozi (political Science)
- Nworji Juliet (Mass Communication)
- Ukaigbo Gloria (English and Literary Studies)
- Ukamaka okafor(Economics)
- Onwe Elizabeth (Councelor)
- Ogayi Christian (mass communication)
- Elom Emmanuel O. (Sociologist)
- Agbo uchechi (Mass Communication)
- Okabe Rosemary (Mass Communication)
- Akpu Stephen I. (Political Science)
- Ugbo Anna. C (Sociologist)
- Sunday Anastasia C (History and Strategic Studies)
- Anametu Ifunanya (hotel Management)
- Igweonu Adeline C. (Business Administration)
- Igweonu Anastasia C. (Printing Technology).
- Okonkwo Precious C. (Public Administration)
- Ben Bonaventure C. (Mass Communication)
- Onwe Emmanuel O. (Philosophy)
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTISTS:
- Ugbo Emmanuel (Microbiologist)
- Udechukwu Christopher (Biochemist)
- Juliet Aloha (Food Scientist)
- Agbo chika Angela (Biochemisy)
- Ede Precious (Microbiology)
- Nwokpuru Jonah (Microbiology)
- Omoso Chikodiri (Anatomist)
- Ukpabi Edward (Biotechnology)
- Adagba Micheal (Microbiologist)
- Mgbo Judith O (Public Health)
- PHYSICAL SCIENTISTS:
- Nwuzor Emmanuel (Geologist/Surveyor)
- Idenyi China F. (Geologist)
- Eze Theophilus (Computer Scientist)
- Ngene Christopher (Industrial Mathematician)
- Egba Fidelis (Industrial Chemistry)
- Mgbo Paul (Industrial Chemistry)
- Okwuru Tobias (Industrial Chemistry)
- Osakwe Eugene (Geologist)
- Ike Stanley (Computer Scientist)
- Elom John (Industrial Physics)
- Ugadu Kingsley E. (Computer scientist)
- Elom Catherine K. ( Industrial Chemistry)
- Nwogba Ethel T. (Industrial Chemistry)
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES:
- Orichi Ezekiel (Farmer)
- Edema Kenneth ( Agricultural Economics and Extension)
- Obia Felicia (Agricultural Economics Mgt and Extension)
- Onah Peter Ngwu (Animal Scientist)
- Nwofoke Ogechi (Animal Scientist)
- Ekechi Precious ( Agricultural Economics and Extension Bgt
RELIGIOUS:
- Rev. Sr. Ebube Akpu
SUMMARY:
Physicians 12
Lawyers 10
Agricultural Sciences 6
Biological Scientists: 9
Engineers 7
Teachers 6
Military/paramilitary 3
Physical Scientists 12
