PROFILE OF CASMIR UDOCHUKWU IRECHUKWU In the beginning ...

the morning tells the day The story of Irechukwu Casmir Udochukwu is one epic and engaging story of heroic struggle for the attainment of success. He was born at Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state, to be prcised to the illustrious family of Sir & Lady Basil Ezeanyika Irechukwu. He occupies the 5th position and he is the 4th son out of the eight surviving children of his parents. He was born into and hails from Umuchu, a town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state. Irechukwu Casmir Udochukwu imbibed early in his formative years, the timeless virtue of honesty, hard work, dedication to a just cause, prayerfulness, humility and a craving for excellence. These were imparted into young Udochukwu by his parents who are acknowledged leaders of note, renowned for hard work, honesty, transparency and dedicated to service to the people of their community and to God. Tender feet ...early education in Primary School Between 1985 and 1991 when he attended Umuchu Central School, Umuchu, young Udochukwu displayed intelligence and exceptional brilliance by coming between the range of 1st and 3rd positions in all examinations held in his classes. He was invariably the smallest boy in his class, classes co-inhabited by person who were 2, 3, 4 years disparity in age. Even amidst the inequality in age of his classmates, he never was burdened with the risk of threats coming from all ends venting his ability to possibility. Hence, he started and never got tired, as his sweats greeted his whole being together yearly; connecting and making physical and intellectual fitness his sore aim all to gain excellence and success in life. At the end of his intellectual hunt in Umuchu Central School, Umuchu, young Udochukwu bagged an outstanding and breathtaking Primary School Leaving Certificate that prepared and heralded his way into higher grounds. Thus, he moved further in his intellectual struggle. In Search of Knowledge: young Udochukwu moves from Primary School to Secondary School The great thinkers and achievers sharpened young Udochukwus curiosity, instincts and craving for success and excellence, culminating in his admission to Umuchu High School, Umuchu and Christ the Redeemer College Amesi respectively in 1995. It was a great honour for him at that time to have been admitted into these elitist schools. During his stay in those schools, young Udochukwu continually displayed a great deed of brilliance. In the year 2001, he concluded his search for knowledge in the Secondary School stratum with an
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excellent and superb result which then clearly pointed to greater things ahead. With these glittering credentials, the sky was seen as surly young Udochukwus limit. Putting all things into perspective, young Udochukwus promising result did not lead him into the secular University as every young man would aspire and dream of in life, but a University of God. Hence, he decided to draw more clearly to the service of God and humanity in the Catholic Sacred Celibate Priesthood of Christ. However, before he made this decision, there were other things that shaped and prepared this call of his to the priesthood. His life as a Mass Server: young Udochukwu served God as an Altar Boy Like in every cause, there is a corresponding effect. The story of young Udochukwu as a Mass Server is not an exception. In this regard, his story was on the fact that his immediate elder Brother of blessed memory (may God rest his soul); by name Hyginus Irechukwu was very much instrumental to his embracing this God-given vocation. He intimated his mother of the then latest development- that he has the intention of becoming a priest. Like the story of Samuel in the bible, his mother took him to his then Parish Priest, namely Rev. Fr. Patrick Asomugha and the Vicar General of his home diocese, Rev. Fr. Jude Michael Nwagiobi at St. Mathew Catholic Church, Umuchu to be pastorally, spiritually, morally and academically pastured. Journeying to the Sacred Celibate Priesthood: young Udochukwu responding to Gods call His first conscious step to responding to Gods call saw young Udochukwu, applying to be admitted as a candidate for the Catholic Celibate Priesthood in the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku. His foresight and rugged determination to achieve his set goal saw him opting for serving God and humanity. This step, he took without battling any of his arteries. That decision was the most important and crucial of decisions in his life for he would not at that time, allow anybody discourage him from embracing this vocation he so cherished. Hence, he got admitted into St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Agnior in Delta state, and a preparatory ground where he studied and bagged a Diploma Certificate in Latin language. As a way of preparation too, he was .posted to work with the Emeritus Bishop of Issele-Uku diocese in Delta state Most Rev. Dr. Otteh where he had the foundation for the priestly life. Young Udochukwu, having acquired some basic sacerdotal virtues, eventually got admitted into the seminary in the year 2002 when he started with the Spiritual Year at Holy Family in Okpuno-Ukwa, Anambra state. On the completion of his Spiritual Year Programme in 2003, he was sent on a mission (Emmaus). Thereafter, he proceeded to the Major Seminary of Ss Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state. While in the seminary, he bagged his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in the year 2007. Having culminated his Philosophical studies, he went on a one year compulsory pastoral year programme in his diocese where he worked at the Bishops Court, Issele-Uku. With all certifications from his superiors during the course of his
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pastoral year programme, he was sent back to his Alma Mater to continue his theological studies and has now bagged his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Urban University Rome. With a personality whose visions and values, concerns and commitment, ideas and ideals are geared toward doing the best he could at every given point in time, Casmir Udochukwu Irechukwu wore the face of the seminary as he was awarded the prestigious MR. BODIJA of the seminary for 2009/2010 academic/formation session. More importantly, he is a man soaked in the waters of humility, dried with the towel of simplicity, whose feet are tucked in the sandals of gentility, as he marches along the great roads of the seminary. He is a man gifted and endowed with an angelic manner of expression, handsome in looks, upright in character and welcoming in smile little wonder he was made the Second Senior Prefect of the Seminary for 2010/2011 session. He was made a Lector of the Church in 2009; was made an Acolyte in 2010 and was raised to the Order of Diaconate on 18th December, 2010, by Most Rev. Dr. Michael Elue, Bishop of Issele-Uku diocese. Places of Apostolate: Casmir Udochukwu Irechukwu doing his fathers business He has worked at the following stations: St. Bridgets Parish, Asaba in 2005 St. Judes Parish, Owa-Oyide in 2006 Bishops Court, Issele-Uku in 2007/2008 Immaculate Heart, Ute-Okpu in 2009 St. John the Evangelist, Illah in 2010

Relying solely on Gods grace in the ministry, he enjoins you all to always pray for and with him thus: I need thee every hour, stay thou near by Temptations lose their powers, when thou art nigh I need thee every hour, most holy one Oh make me thine indeed, thou blessed son. May God bless you all, Amen.

AKOWE JOHN-DUKE SELIME Ss PETER & PAUL MAJOR SEMINARY, BODIJA, IBADAN.