Few days to the Year 2024 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, it has been confirmed that Rev. Fr. John Konyeke of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku will be at the occasion as Father of the Day.
Secretary, Maris Trust Council, MTC, organisers of the annual event which provides a platform for solutions to be proffered to the challenges of the society, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, made the disclosure on Sunday in Asaba, Delta State.
From inception of the annual lecture series, Fr. Konyeke have always attended the event either as Father of the Day or as a Discussant.
According to Egugbo, “due to requests by the public, especially, regular participants at Maris lectures for the return of Rev. Fr. John Konyeke to the Year 2024 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, we want to assure the public that by the grace of God, the Catholic Priest will attend the occasion which will have the Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke as Guest Speaker. Prof. Chiemeke will speak on the topic, ‘Flight Of Talents: Navigating Nigeria’s Brain Drain Predicament.’
“The member representing Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Pastor Jonathan Ukodhiko will be Chairman of occasion while Lady Roseline Eno Amioku (JP), acting Chairman, Delta State Civil Service Commission, will be Mother of the Day.
“Former Commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State and presently, the Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Dr. Barry Gbe and former member of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Commission, Chief Philomena Ededey Ugheminaye will be Discussants at the lecture which will hold on its traditional date of Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, the Wednesday before Easter Sunday and for this year, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, at 12 Noon.
“We are grateful to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for encouraging us to hold this discuss by making Delta safe and conducive for indigenes and visitors, we also, thank his predecessors in office, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, CON, for their contributions towards making the annual event successful.
“We appreciate the invaluable contributions of Fr. Konyeke during the lectures and we thank God that he will be at this year’s edition as Father of the Day.
“Recall that Fr. Konyeke who is on further studies at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIWA, Port Harcourt, was the Father of the Day at the lecture in 2019, 2021, and 2023 as he was a Discussant in the year 2022 when Bishop Justus Mogekwu of the Anglican Communion was Father of the Day.
“Fr. Konyeke was the first Parish Priest, Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba and was also, the Priest in charge of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba before he moved to the Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIWA, for further studies.
“We can confidently attribute the success story of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture series to God Almighty who has said, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you’ – Isaiah 41:10, and Abraham’s statement in Genesis 22:14 ‘The Lord will provide,’ so, because Rev. Fr. Konyeke and other well-meaning people across the world are praying and contributing to the organisation of Maris Lectures, we prepare for the lecture without fear and with confidence that the Lord will provide and evidently, the Lord is always providing using men of goodwill.
“This is the season of Easter and when talking about the Priest, one can remember one admonition of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to His disciples, ‘What I have done for you, you must do for one another,’ John 13.
“We thank God for what He is using Rev. Fr. Konyeke to do for humanity as his activities were captured by Pope Francis when he said, ‘The ministers of the gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, into the darkness, but without getting lost.’
“Fr. Konyeke, can tell the story of Stella-Maris Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo, in whose memory the annual lecture series was instituted and he has always said, ‘don’t worry, God is aware and aka Chukwu dia (God’s hand is in what you are doing).”
REV. FR. JOHN KONYEKE
A PERSONAL DATA
Diocese of Issele-Uku, Delta State.
Name: Rev. Fr. John Konyeke
Date: 1st May, 1978
Place of Birth: Ndemili, Delta State
Tribe: Anioma
Spoken Languages: Anioma and English
Local Government Area: Aniocha South
State of Origin: Delta
Nationality: Nigeria
Sex: Male
Marital Status: Single/Clergy
Religion/Denomination: Christianity/Catholic
Diocese: Issele-Uku
Date/Year of Priestly Ordination: 18th August, 2007
Present Address: Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Box 63
Email Contact: turgidebube@yahoo.com
Phone Contact: 08036199602 (Nigeria)
B Institutions Attended: Schools Attended Town/City/Date
Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port-Harcourt 2020-2023
Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan, 1999-2007
St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year, Ekpoma, Edo State 1998-1999
Federal College of Education (Technical) Professional Diploma in Education 2011-2013
Ejeme Secondary School, Ejeme-Aniogor. 1990-1996
Dugbo Primary School, Obi-Obi-Dugbo. 1984-1990
C. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS WITH DATES: EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATE OBTAINED/YEAR
Ph.D. in view, in Pastoral Theology, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) 2026
Licentiate, in Pastoral Theology, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) 2023
Masters in Pastoral Theology, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) 2022
Bachelor in Theology, Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan 2007
Bachelor in Philosophy, Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan 2004
Federal College of Education (Technical) Professional Diploma in Education 2011-2013
Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)/West African Examination Council (WAEC), Ejeme Secondary School, Ejeme Aniogor 1996
First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), Dugbo Primary School, Obi-Dugbo 1989
D. TITLE OF CERTIFICATE/GRADE OBTAINED/YEAR
Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology (Still in view), Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) 2026
Licentiate in Pastoral Theology (STL), (Second Class: Upper Division), Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA), 2023
Masters in Pastoral Theology (MTH) (Second Class: Upper Division), Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA), 2022
Bachelor in Theology (B.TH) (Second Class: Upper Division), Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan 2007
Bachelor in Philosophy (B.Phil.), (Second Class: Upper Division), Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan 2004
Professional Diploma in Education (Credit), Federal College of Education (Technical) 2013
Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)/West African Examination Council (WAEC), (Good) Ejeme Secondary School, Ejeme Aniogor, 1996
First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), (Merit), Dugbo Primary School, Obi-Dugbo 1989
E RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Dissertations and Theses
(i). Dissertations and Theses
2. Post Graduate Licentiate Degree in Pastoral theology: Specializing in Pastoral Theology- Thesis-Religious Education Values in Tertiary Institutions within Issele-Uku Diocese, Nigeria. Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt. 2023
3. Post Graduate Master’s Degree in Pastoral Theology: Specializing in Pastoral Theology-Thesis- Fraternity Among Priests in the Light of Fratelli Tutti 8. A Pastoral-Theological Study in Issele-Uku Diocese, Nigeria 2022. Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt.
4. Post Graduate Diploma in Education-Thesis-The Attitude of Teachers Towards the Return of Schools to the Mission Bodies in Asaba Metropolis, 2013. School of Education Federal College of Education (TECH) Asaba, Delta State.
(ii). Project/Essay
1. Under Graduate Project in Theology-A Theological Reflection on Christian Charity in the Light of Deus Caritas Est of Benedict XV1 and its Relevance in Nigeria; Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan, 2007
2. Under Graduate Project in Philosophy—A Critique of Karl Marx’s Notion of Religion and Man’s Self Alienation; Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan, 2004
A Published:
1 Konyeke, John (2017): The Pilgrims’ Guide: Catholic Archdiocese of Benin Printing Press
Konyeke, John (2012); Mary: The Indispensable Mother of The Church DE-MASTERS IN DIGITAL PRINTS, Asaba
Audio Materials:
Audio CD on Pilgrims’ Guide. Talks and Reflections, 2022
Audio CD on reflection on the 20 decades of the Holy Rosary, 2008
Published article in Independent News Papers, Archdiocese of Ibadan: “Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ. Is it in the Bible”? 2023
Book Review on ‘Because He Chose Me’ by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Michael Mozia, 2013
Preface 11 to a book ‘National Integration in a Diverse Society’ (Challenges and ways Forward) by Rev. Fr. Uche M. Nwaonwochie Ph.D., 2023.
F. CAREER PROGRESSION AND PASTORAL EXPERIENCES
2007—2010: Assistant Parish Priest, St. John the Baptist, Agbor;
2008 – 2014: Assistant Vocation Director of Issele-Uku Diocese;
2008 – 2010: Regional Chaplain, Agbor Regional Choir;
2009 – 2010: Confessor for The Religious in Agbor;
2010 – 2020: Co-ordinator, Pontifical Missionary Union;
2010 – 2020: Director, Pontifical Mission Societies;
2014 – 2020: Vocation Director of Issele-Uku Diocese;
2014 – Teacher (St Patrick’s College, Asaba) under the Diocesan School Apostolate.
2010–2016: Parish Priest Catholic Church of Ascension, Asaba
2016–2020: Parish Priest, St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba.
2008—2020: Member, Liturgy Commission, Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State.
2014—2020: Master of Ceremonies, Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State.
2014—2016: Teacher, St. Patrick’s College Asaba, Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State.
2018: Retreat Director, the Annual Advent Retreat for Theologians (Years 4-6), Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.
2022: Secretary, Suciwa Electoral Commission, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
2011-2015: Financial Secretary, Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA), Issele-Uku Diocese Chapter.
2015-2018: Secretary, Provincial Education Commission, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin-City Province.
2021-2022: Captain of football team, Student Union of Catholic Institute of West Africa (SUCIWA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
G. HONOUR/LAURELS/AWARDS
A Awards:
1 Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku (St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme Aniogor Award): A Worthy Formator, 2023.
2 St. John Bosco Catholic Church Asaba (CMO award): Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the growth of the Church and society in general, 2023
3 Church of Ascension Asaba (Parish award): The Solid Pillar of Ascension Parish 2013
B. Laurels:
Winner of American Doubles of Category A (first position trophy). Shell Club, Port Harcourt, Tennis Section, 2023.
Winner of American Doubles of Category A (first position trophy). Asaba Sports Club (1864) Tennis, 2023.
LNG Maiden Tennis Tournament, Bonny Island (Gold: Mixed Doubles in Lawn Tennis), 2023
All Nigerian Major Seminaries Games Makurdi (Silver: Singles in Lawn Tennis), 2006
All Nigerian Major Seminaries Games Owerri (Gold: Doubles in Lawn Tennis), 2002
H. MEMBERSHIP OF LEARNED/PROFESSIONAL GROUP
Member, Catholic Pastoral and Spiritual Theologians Association of Nigeria (CAPSTAN)
Member, Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA)
Member and Spiritual Director, Maris Trust Council (MTC), Maris Annual Public Service Lecture, Delta State.
H SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED
1 The Search for the Nexus between Communication and Theology: From Fides Quaerens Intellectum to Fides Quaerens Communicatum et Intellectum, 2022.
2 Organs of Collaboration in particular Churches since Second Vatican Council: A Canonical Overview, 2022.
3 The Importance of Security and Human Development, CUWA Theology Conference, 2022
4 Dynamism of the Liturgy in the Covid 19 and Post Covid 19 Pandemic Era: Implications for the Church in Nigeria, 2021.
VERY REV. FR. JOHN KONYEKE
Very Rev. Fr. John Maduabunechukwu Konyeke, performed his first pastoral work in Asaba at Comrade Fidelis Egugbo’s residence. Fr. Konyeke was the first Priest to be posted to the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba. On arrival at Asaba, he was greeted with the news of the passage of Stellamaris Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo and despite the fact that he did not know the parishioner, he moved straight to sympathize and console the bereaved family. Since that experience, he has never left the family nor failed to participate actively at events that has to do with Stellamaris. He was the Chief Celebrant at the Holy Mass to signal the opening of Maris Schools and has always played the roles of Spiritual Father to Maris Trust Council, praying, counselling and rendering assistance in several ways to the Egugbos and their friends.
As the first Priest to be posted to Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba, to the glory of God, within a short period of time, God used him to erect a befitting place of worship for Him and to the glory of God, a Parish house was also built at Ascension before he was transferred to St. John Bosco Catholic Church, where again, he saw to the erecting of a church building described as the tallest in Asaba. His pastoral responsibilities at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor – as well as being Curate and Priest in charge of Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba and later, St. John Bosco Catholic Church, also in Asaba – has attracted a lot of Christians and people of diverse religious persuasion who got converted to the Catholic Faith.
