HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VALERIAN OKEKE AT 70

 Pat Onukwuli pays tribute to Archbishop Valerian Okeke, a testament to leadership, faith, and social justice

Recently, at the heart of the commercial city of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Valerian M. Okeke, celebrated his 70th birthday. The occasion was awash with dignitaries, political leaders, the clergy, and well-wishers from across the length and breadth of the country. All came together to celebrate, and rightly so, the spiritual juggernaut and clerical icon, who remains modest and unassuming despite his ecclesiastical heights. 

As the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, his seven decades of life are a testament to a profound commitment to faith, community, and social justice as he has spent a lifetime serving the Catholic Church and the people of God. This celebratory event spoke volumes and reflected the widespread respect and love for His Grace.

A moral theologian of repute and a cerebral scholar, Archbishop Okeke is an insightful student of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Like the American philosopher Germain Gabriel Grisez, His Grace, Archbishop Okeke, has made many contributions to the teachings of the Catholic Church. His works are known for their depth, rigour, and commitment, especially as they concern the Catholic moral tradition. His great works include The Measure of Love, Make Disciple of All Nations, The Family and Human Life, Democracy and Christian Values, among over 20 others, all with a common theme that embeds the teachings of Jesus Christ. A polyglot of high proficiency, he speaks French, Italian and German fluently, in addition to English and Igbo languages.

Born October 20, 1953, he had his Priestly Ordination on July 11, 1981. His clerical works started with his first posting as Assistant Priest of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, then Parish Priest of Umuoji before he proceeded to Rome for further studies. On his return, he taught and later became the Rector of Biggard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. His episcopal journey commenced on November 9, 2001, with his appointment as Co-adjutor Archbishop of Onitsha, and on September 1, 2003, he assumed full responsibility for the Metropolitan See of Onitsha, with about eight Suffragan Dioceses namely Abakaliki, Aguleri, Awgu, Awka, Ekwulobia, Enugu, Nnewi and Nsukka.

Milestones such as 70th birthdays are not mere occasions for festivity but reflective pauses that demand introspection and stocktaking. In biblical numerology, 70 signifies completion, fulfilment, and divine perfection. Psalm 90:10, often cited as underlining the brevity of human life, the need for wisdom and a heart of understanding, gives an average lifespan of 70. This milestone, therefore, extends beyond the personal, touching the lives of the faithful and the broader community in ways that merit an introspective reflection.

Indeed, the celebrations resonated far beyond the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity walls simply because of Archbishop Okeke’s persona, contributions, and achievements. Under his leadership, the Archdiocese has seen remarkable growth and progress. His Grace has tremendously grown the Archdiocese since his 20 years at the helm. Despite excision from the Archdiocese, and the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, by The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis, on February 12, 2023, the Onitsha Archdiocese boasts impressive statistics of about 2.5 million faithful, 150 parishes, over 600 priests, and close to 800 religious individuals who fulfil various roles within the Catholic community.

His Grace was a leading proponent in the crusade for the state government to return mission schools to the Churches. In November 2011, his campaigns yielded positive results. Governor Peter Obi-led administration handed back to the Catholic Church over 453 mission schools taken over by the military after the Civil War. With this development, His Grace spearheaded the massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of these schools in decrepit conditions and transformed many into centres of excellence in learning. His Grace ensures that other institutions beyond the realm of worship and spirituality, like hospitals and social welfare centres, are maintained to continue offering services to the broader needs of the larger community, irrespective of denomination or religious affiliation. He has been instrumental in establishing Shanahan University in Onitsha, which has received strong backing from the government, faithful, and institutions.

On a personal level, His Grace awards scholarships to enable disadvantaged students to realise their potential. He established the Holy Family Youth Village Amansi for the spiritual formation and social well-being of over one thousand Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka students. He conducts emergency relief interventions through the Archdiocesan Caritas Services and the JDPC Apostolate. He has contributed charitably at the Onitsha Correctional Centre, including rehabilitating a borehole that supplies water to all the cells, renovating prison cells, and establishing a skill acquisition program where inmates can learn various skills. He also visits the Centre regularly to offer hope and spiritual guidance to inmates. In recognition, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Chief of Prisoner Services, honoured him with the prestigious Grand Patron of Nigerian Correctional Services award.

One of the significant aspects of his leadership is his emphasis on social justice. His commitment to addressing the needs of the less fortunate, advocating for the marginalised, and championing causes that promote equality has set him apart as a spiritual leader attuned to the challenges of the contemporary world. In today’s world, marked by religious intolerance, corruption, social injustice, insecurity, and increasing secularisation, Archbishop Okeke’s strong Thomistic philosophical foundations drawn from natural law, ethical principles, and scripture and tradition offer solutions. Applying Catholic moral theology and social teachings can address these bedevilling problems, such as injustice, human rights abuses, the indignity of the human person, corruption, electioneering manipulations, interfaith tensions, and socioeconomic poverty.

Finally, in a world that often questions the relevance of traditional institutions, His Grace’s leadership provides a compelling response. His ability to adapt to the evolving needs of his community while staying true to the core principles of compassion, justice, and faith is a lesson for leaders across domains. As he marks this significant milestone, all concerned should acknowledge his overwhelming impact on the lives of those he has been serving. His 70th birthday is not just a personal celebration, but a commemoration of a life devoted to uplifting the human spirit and making a positive difference in the world. His values should serve as a call for action and a blueprint for everybody, especially leaders, regardless of their faith, on how to contribute to the betterment of society through selfless service.

Dr Onukwuli writes from Bolton, UK; patonukwuli2003@yahoo.co.uk