By Ori Martins
The fact of the matter is this: little but enterprising Anthony Magnus Ijeoma Ezekwe was among the smallest in all the classes he passed through for priestly ordination.
At the primary school at Town School Umuoma, Onitcha, Ezinihitte LGA, Imo State, Anthony was simply a midget. Yet, he was numbered among those who led the class, academically.
With the help of his parents who guided him the way Eli directed Samuel when he received his calling, Sir and Lolo Lambert Ezekwe correctly interpreted the vocational calling of Anthony.
They supervised Anthony who easily passed both the written entrance and oral interview of Matter Ecclesiae Seminary, Nguru, Aboh Mbaise LGA. Thus started the journey to priesthood.
As it were in the primary school, Anthony was among the youngest in age and size among his classmates at Matter and St Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala where he effectively distinguished himself as a student of purpose and vision.
Significantly, all the other smallish seminarians, including Anthony, were the movers and shakers of that Class of ’90. Even today, most of them are the millionaires of that set to wit: Chinedu Njoku, Camilus Nwadike, Chibuike Anyanwu, Bobo Anyanwu, Francis Abara, Blessing Ibe, Augustine Ibe, Chibuzor Nnorom, Anthony Obi, Leonard Ntiegbulem, and few others.
Of all of them, Anthony whose names really measured his true self, though not a giant, pointedly refused to be intimidated by his pugnacious class boys. Why not? His name (Anthony) means strength. Magnus signifies mighty or big and Ijeoma, though sounds like a female identification, crowns it all – this journey will be fruitful!
Poised for the missionary assignment clearly prepared for him by God, Anthony headed for the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu where he diligently obtained his Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Theology degrees.
Having completed the required educational and theological trainings, Anthony was ordained a Catholic Church priest 20 years ago. It was a dream well fulfilled and a call fully answered.
One remarkable and historic feature about Rev Fr Ezekwe is that his journey to the altar is stuffed with a special manifestations of firsts.
His class was the first in Imo State to observe the highly controversial 6 – 3 – 3 – 4 education system. First to write Junior WAEC. First to sit for the Senior WAEC. First to end its academic activities in November rather than May/June.
Even as a priest, Ezekwe’s quest for spirituality, education and social growth cum development is absolutely unequalled. To this effect, he has been acquiring degrees upon degrees including but not limited to those he bagged from the National Open University of Nigeria as well as Fordham University New York City, USA.
Fr Ezekwe is a lawyer, and so he canvasses for rule of law as well as true observance of constitutionalism. He is a social crusader therefore he promotes equity, justice and fairness. Fr cares for the salvation of souls and so he preaches righteousness and holiness.
Ordinarily, Fr ought to have been named Emmanuel, Noel or Christmas for he was born on December 23, 1972. And was ordained a Catholic Church priest 20 years ago!
Happy birth and ordination anniversaries, Fr Anthony Ezekwe.
