Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Fr. Peter as a servant of God understood this concept very well and made it a habit.
“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven”. – Johannes A. Gaertner. A man’s character is revealed not when life is easy, but when it is challenging. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude”.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter OkwoezeOmogo’s annual thanksgiving ritual is a testament to the power of the living gratitude. His people here in Nigeria look forward to it. Each thanksgiving serves as a powerful reminder of the abundance of God’s grace in his life.
As the philosopher Cicero once said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others”. He recognizes the transformative effects of gratitude and attributes his personal growth, strength, and contentment to this virtue. His Thanksgiving celebration is not just a ritual but a sincere acknowledgment of the blessings he has received throughout the year.
He gathers family and friends to join him in this celebration. As William Arthur Ward once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” By sharing his gratitude, He strengthens the bonds within his family, and friends’ community, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared appreciation for life’s blessings.
Touching lives during his annual thanksgiving began in 2014 when he gathered family and friends to join him in appreciating God for his steadfastness and love in his life and that of his family and friends who have contributed immensely to his spiritual, physical, financial, and societal growth. In a selfless and generous act of kindness, he distributed gift items which including four motorcycles to deserving individuals in his community. In 2015, another set of individuals equally got two motorcycles.
2014/2015 ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BENEFICIARIES OF MOTORCYCLE.
| S/No | NAME | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Late Ugo Ishiali | Ogene, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 2 | Mr. Elibe John Chinonso | NdiaguOkwoeze, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 3 | Mrs. Eze Cynthia | Otinyi, UmuoguduAkpuNgbo |
| 4 | Mrs. Goodness Omog o | Ikponkpuma, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 5 | Mrs. Omogo Elizabeth Ogb a | NdiuloUmuoboke, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 6 | Mrs. Omogo Grace Ijeoma | Ikponkpuma, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 7 | Mr. Omogo Stephen | NdiuloUmuoboke, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
This benevolent gesture brought immense joy and relief to the recipients, making their lives easier and brighter. It was a day filled with gratitude, not only for the blessings received but also for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, a tradition that continues to this day.
The benevolent actions of Fr. Peter resonated far and wide, eliciting requests from various communities within Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State. As we are all well aware, the act of giving is often more rewarding for the giver than the receiver, a truth that became evident during the 2018 annual Thanksgiving event. On this occasion, this kind-hearted soul generously presented seven individuals with a set of motorcycles, spreading the spirit of goodwill and gratitude.
2018 – 2023 ANNUAL THANKSGIVINGB ENEFICIARIES OF MOTORCYCLE
| S/No | NAME | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Mr. Ishiali Ugo | Ogene, UmuoguduOgene, Ikpomkpuma, UmuoguduOshia, Ngbo |
| 9 | Mr. Esheya John | Urogbanyi, Umuoguduoshia, Ngbo |
| 10 | Mr. Nweke Cornelius | Ikpomkpuma, Umuoguduoshia, Ngbo |
| 11 | Mrs. Eze Cynthia | Otinyi, UmuoguduAkpu, Ngbo |
| 12 | Mrs. Onwe Sussana | NdaburuEbenyi, Umuoguduoshia, Ngbo |
| 13 | Mrs. Theresa Eze | NdiaguEshi, UmuoguduOshiaNgbo |
| 14 | Mr Arinze chukwu Eze | Amechi, Izhia, |
| 15 | Mr. HyginusOmogo | Ikpomkpuma, Umuoguduoshia |
The profound joy experienced by the recipients and their respective communities, as
well as the overwhelming positive impact on the entire state of Ebonyi, shone as brightly as the morning sun. These selfless acts of kindness have left indelible marks in the hearts and lives of those involved.
Great accomplishments are like pregnancy that cannot remain concealed for long. The annual tradition of Fr. Peter’s Thanksgiving has firmly entrenched itself in his community. Both clergy and lay people from different denominations unite in gratitude to God Almighty for the precious gift of Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter to his community and beyond. This ritual which started with family and friends now attracts priests and religious devotees to assemble at his country home for a Holy Mass celebration, an expression of their profound appreciation for God’s enduring protection throughout the year. A remarkable facet of this tradition is the gifting of motorcycles as always, a thoughtful gesture to ease the pastoral work, especially in the hinterlands. The pinnacle of these annual Thanksgiving occurred in 2022, as a staggering 15 fortunate individuals were gifted gleaming new motorcycles. Even those who undertook the journey on foot to Fr. Peter’s rural abode found themselves going home with the gift of a motorcycle,
| S/No | NAME | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Rev Fr Barnabas Nkwuda | Immaculate Heart Parish, Ndegu |
| 17 | Rev Fr Wisdom Ohuche | Christ The King Parish, Ukpachaha |
| 18 | Rev Fr Christian Nwankwo | Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Azuituma |
| 19 | Rev Fr Chinyelugo Udegbe | Holy Ghost Parish, AmeffiaNgbo |
| 20 | Rev Fr AnslemOyon | St DomnicOnyik |
| 21 | Rev Fr Peter Aneke | St Kizito’s Parish, IzoImoha |
| 22 | Rev Fr Kelv in Ezuma | St Denis Parish, Waka |
| 23 | Rev Fr Va lentine Nwali | St Mulimba’s Parish, EcharaIkwo |
| 24 | Rev Fr SixtusOjiocha | St Peter’s Parish, Ogbala |
| 25 | Rev Fr Peter Azi | Assumption Parish, Ndaburuebenyi |
| 26 | Pst r Uche Nwosu | St Luke’s Anglican Church, Ikpomkpuma |
| 27 | Mr. Ega Bernard | NdiaguUgba, UmiuoguduOshia, Ngbo |
| 28 | Ms. Osinachi Nwojiji | Izzi L.G.A. |
| 29 | Mrs. Cathering Alo | Ezza South L. G.A. |
| 30 | Samuel Omogo F oundation | SOF Secretariat |
| 31 | Rev Fr Kingsley Ugoeruchukwu | St Bernard’s Parish, Okuzu |
| 32 | Rev Fr Innocent Chukwu | Sacred Heart Parish, Alike Ikwo |
| 33 | Mr. Boniface | Ezza North |
| 34 | Mr. John Chukw u | Ezza North |
| 35 | Rev Fr Raphael Odey | Abakaliki Catholic Diocese |
| 36 | Mrs. AkpuEbere (Nee Ozi) | Odebor, UmuoguduAkpu, Ngbo |
| 37 | Mr. ChibuikeNweke | Ikpomkpuma, UmuoguduOshia, Ngbo |
| 38 | Mrs. Onwe Ifeyinwa Ogb | AmoffiaNgbo |
| 39 | Mr. Ambrose Ebere | UkwagbaNgbo |
| 40 | Mrs. Onwe Sussana | Ndabururebenyi, UmuoguduOshia, Ngbo |
| 41 | Mr. Peter Nwinya | Izzi, Izzi L.G.A. |
| 42 | Rev Fr Philemon Okoro | St Oliver’s Parish, Ngbo |
| 43 | Mr. Alfred Ugwoke | Ogene, UmuoguduOshia, Ngbo |
| 44 | Mr. Bernard | Ezzamgbo |
| 45 | Mr Innocent Omogo | IKpomkpuma, Umuogudu Oshua, Ngbo |
| 46 | Mr. Alfred Ugwoke | Ogene Omuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 47 | Mr. Chima | Ntezi, Ishielu L.G.A. |
| 48 | Ntezi Youth Leader | Ntezi, Ishielu L.G.A. |
| 49 | Samuel Omogo Foundation | SOF |
| 50 | Samuel Alibe | Ndiagu OKoweze Umuoboke, Umuogudu |
2021/2022/2023 ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BENEFICIARIES OF SEWING MACHINE
| S/No | NAME | ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miss. OnweObiageri | Ikpomkpuma, Umuogudu Oshia Ukwagba Ngbo |
| 2 | Miss OnweOnyema | Ukwagba Ngbo |
| 3 | Miss Elom Elizabeth | Okpoto, Ishielu L.G.A. |
| 4 | Miss Chika Nwokpo | Okaleru Village, Ezza |
| 5 | College of the Assumption | Ndaburuebenyi, UmuoguduOshia |
| 6 | Miss Esther Onwe | Otinyi Umuogudu Akpu, Ngbo |
| 7 | Miss EbereOnwe | Ndaburuebenyi, Umuogudu Oshia |
| 8 | Igboke Nwamaka Ogba | Umuaguma Village, Amechi Izhia |
| 9 | Eze James Oduma | Egwegwe Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 10 | Okwe Nkemdirim | Chibest Styles Ngbo Court |
| 11 | Oduma Chukwudi Onwe | Amangwu Okposhi Eshi |
| 12 | Cordelia Aja Udu | Umuezi Abi, Igweledeoha Ngbo |
| 13 | Igboke Blessing Ogba | Odebor Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo |
| 14 | Onwe Stephen Omogo | Abarigwe Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 15 | Ede Priscillia | NtsuruakpaEzzango |
| 16 | Ogbonna Agatha Chiziterem | Ndiechi Onuebonyi Igbeagu |
| 17 | Osinachi Nwoji | Ekeru Inyimagu Abakaliki Lga |
| 18 | Onwe Chidera Ogala | Umuaguma Village Amechi Izhia |
| 19 | Ogba Rachael Chidinma | Ndiulo Ekwashi Ngbo |
| 20 | Okwo Chinyere | Okorogbata Ngbo |
| 21 | Ominyi Jeremiah Uzoke | Ekweburu Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 22 | Aya Abraham | Ndiagu Okpe Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo |
| 23 | Oduma Mary Chi | Umuebe Nwabara Izhia ngbo |
| 24 | Onwe Emmanuel Onwe | Abaigwe Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 25 | Ugadu Happiness | Okposhi Ameku Ngbo |
| 26 | Okwo Chika A. | Ndiagu Okwoeze Villge, Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo |
| 27 | Igboke Ma ry O. | Ndiagu Nwachi Ngbo |
| 28 | Mbam Esther | Ekeru, Izzi L.G.A |
| 29 | Alichi Cynthia | No 10 Nkaliki Rd Abakaliki LGA |
| 30 | Nwibo Chidinma Mary | Onuebonyi Junction Abakaliki |
| 31 | Arinze Ugwoke | Ikpomkpuma, Umuogudu Oshia, Ngbo |
In 2023, the story remained the same and even got better. The annual thanksgiving saw people smiling home with a car, and motorcycle gifts.
During the annual thanksgiving celebration, Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Omogo, a dedicated academic, wholeheartedly recognized the paramount significance of educational resources for students, spanning from high school to undergraduates, in various schools and colleges across Nigeria. In the year 2020, he generously distributed 17 laptops to exceptionally bright students who excelled in diverse fields of study within Nigerian universities. He exhibited a profound understanding of the rigors that law students face when acquiring educational materials, particularly those embarking on their journey to the various campuses of the Nigerian Law School. Consequently, in 2021, he extended his benevolence to students pursuing a career in Law by presenting 11 laptops to those enrolled in different law schools across Nigeria.
His compassionate spirit extended even further, reaching out to his close friends and family members, generously gifting over 11 laptops to support them in their professional endeavors. But his philanthropic efforts did not end there. The young learners attending nursery, primary, and secondary/high schools also received their fair share of their goodwill. Countless numbers of these pupils and students were gifted with backpacks, school shoes, and uniforms. The vulnerable members of the community were equally not forgotten, as a multitude of them gathered at his residence with an array of pressing needs. These requests ranged from shelter, food, clean water, business proposals, and assistance with children’s education, healthcare support, and financial aid, among others.
Remarkably, in his boundless generosity, Fr consistently endeavored to attend to these litanies of requests to the best of his ability and resources. One thing remained a certainty when seeking help from Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter OkwoezeOmogo – the assurance that you would depart from his presence with a heartwarming smile on your face. His unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those he encountered was a shining example of compassion and benevolence.
OHAUKWU L. G. A. STUDENTS GIFTED WITH LAPTOPS DURING 15TH PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY / Ph.D. CELEBRATION
| S/No | Name | Course of Study | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ede Kenneth | Medical Laboratory Science | EBSU |
| 2 | Peter Idenyi | Medicine and Surgery | EBSU |
| 3 | Onwe Ozioma | Food Science and Technology | EBSU |
| 4 | Omogo Anthony | Political Science | EBSU |
| 5 | Akpu Chinaza | Biology Education | UNN |
| 6 | Onah Amaechi | Medicine and Surgery | UNIZIK |
| 7 | Umeh Eberechukwu E. | Radiography | UNIZIK |
| 8 | Okwe Kelechi | Biochemistry | OSSISA TECH |
| 9 | Ituma Stella | ||
| 10 | Ngwu Patrick | Microbiology | EBSU |
| 11 | Agbo Chinaza | Politician Science | EBSU |
| 12 | Onwe Alphonsus | Science Lab & Tech | Uwanna Polytechnic |
| 13 | Onwe Ejiofor | Food Science & Technology | EBSU |
| 14 | Nwite Precious | Animal Science | EBSU |
| 15 | Oduma Jude Ifeanyi | Civil Engineering | AE-FU NAI |
| 16 | Ituma Kelvin | Law | EBSU |
| 17 | Nweke Cornelius | Agric Economics & Ext. Mgt | EBSU |
OHAUKWU L.G.A. STUDENTS AT DIFFERENT LAW SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA
| S/No | Name | Course of Study | Law School Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Ekuma Chinonso George | Law | Nigerian Law School, Kano |
| 19 | Okwor Chiemerie Agada | Law | Nigerian Law School, Yola |
| 20 | Agbo Obinnaya Godson | Law | Nigerian Law School, Kano |
| 21 | Okoha Chijioke Innocent | Law | Nigerian Law School, Yola |
| 22 | Ekpere, Chinedu | Law | Nigerian Law School, Kano |
| 23 | Oduma OnuwaI tuma | Law | Nigerian Law School, Yenegoa |
| 24 | Uche Adagba Oshim | Law | Nigerian Law School, Abuja |
| 25 | Odono Angel Ekunyi | Law | Nigerian Law School, Abuja |
| 26 | Egwu Naomi Uchechi | Law | Nigerian Law School, Lagos |
| 27 | Egwu Ogba Chukwemeka E. | Law | Nigerian Law School, Abuja |
| 28 | Alagba Obinna | Law | Nigerian Law School, kano |
OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY GIFTED WITH LAPTOPS
| S/No | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Mr. Nweke Bartholomew | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 30 | Comrade George Umeh | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA I |
| 31 | Mrs. Ndaligwe Cynthia (Nee Eze) | Ikwo LGA |
| 32 | Dr. Mrs Rosemary Igwe | Ikwo LGA |
| 33 | Mrs. Blessing Nwoka | Izzi LGA |
| 34 | Barr Chinedu Ituma | Ngbo, Ohaukwu L G A |
| 35 | Comrade Samuel Okpor | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 36 | Nurse Kenneth Ishiali | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 37 | Barr. ChineduUgadu | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 38 | Comrade Greg Esheya | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 39 | Comrade Emma Ituma | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 40 | Mr. Fabian Aka | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 41 | Barr Friday Oge | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 42 | Peter Ngwu | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
| 43 | Bar Mike Ngwu | Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA |
THOSE GIFTED WITH CARS
| S/No | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr. Omogo Emmanuel | NdiaguOkwoeze, UmuoguduOshia |
| 2 | Mr. OmogoHyginus | NduloUmuoboke, UmuoguduOshia |
| 3 | Mr. Omogo Stephen | NdiaguOkwoeze, UmuoguduOshia |
| 4 | Mrs. Ndaligwe Cynthia | Ikwo L.G.A. |
| 5 | Mrs. Ituma Blessing Ngozi (Niece) | ObodoOgbeni, UmuoguduAkpu |
| 6 | Mrs Goodness Omogo (Mama Father) | Ikpomkpuma, UmuoguduOsia |
In the words of Melody Beattie, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Omogo’s annual Thanksgiving to God is a testament to the enduring wisdom of celebrated authors who have recognized the profound impact of gratitude on human life.
Through this tradition, he not only expresses thankfulness for the blessings he has received but also uses the occasion to reflect on life’s lessons, build a sense of community, and cultivate a perpetual attitude of gratitude. His journey is a reminder to us all of the power of thanksgiving to shape our lives and inspire those around us. Colossians 3:17“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
TABLE OF SUMMARY FOR SUBSTANTIAL GIFT ITEMS
| S/No | Projects/Gift Items | Number | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boreholes | 550 | Spread across LGAs in Ebonyi State |
| 2 | Motorcycles | 46 | Spread across LGAs in Ebonyi State |
| 3 | Sewing Machine s | 31 | Spread across LGAs in Ebonyi State |
| 4 | Laptop Computers | 41 | Spread across LGAs in Ebonyi State e |
| 5 | Cars | 5 | Spread across communities in Ngbo |
| 6 | School Bags, Shoes, Uniforms etc | Numerous | Spread across LGAs in Ebonyi State |
