Penultimate week, Archbishop Aggey Foundation and family of Most Rev. Dr. John Kwao Amuzu Aggey organized a virtual celebration of the life and times of Most Rev.Aggey, the first African Catholic Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lagos, in commemoration of his sixty-four years of consecration as Bishop The event themed “Archbishop J. K.A Aggey, Spiritual Father for All Seasons,”, was moderated by Mr. Wale Olaoye, with great delight, joy, and with sound knowledge of the occasion. His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, the Emeritus Prelate of the Methodists Church of Nigeria, began the reminiscence of the beloved Archbishop. He said that Archbishop Aggey was ecumenical, acted as the Spiritual father, father figure to people like himself. He encouraged the Foundation, and the family members to revitalize Bishop Aggey Memorial Grammar School, Mushin, Lagos State, founded in his memory. Mrs. Bernadette Akuwah Kanyi, the only female guest speaker of the day, shared the love, kindness and wealth of experience on family issues.
She reminded the participants that the Archbishop was her uncle, and celebrated the solemnization of her holy matrimony in 1960, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos. She spoke about his works, which include the Old Peoples Home Mushin, Lagos State; the Schools and others. Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher Edema Boyo, with great excitement and strong feelings of joy, requested to read from his book titled, “My Story, My Song.” The first line reveals with a dedication that gives an insight into three of the most respected persons in the life of the Author, Pa Thomas Kudieyin Boyo, his father; Madam Eleanora Ayodele Boyo (nee Hughes), his mother; and Most Rev. (Dr.) John Kwao Amuzu Aggey, the first indigenous Archbishop of Lagos. He equally shared other important roles he played as a Priest. Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lagos disclosed that he was one of the children of the Archbishop, and that he got to know ‘Baba’ since 1957.
He also shared how former Archbishop of Lagos helped in moulding him and his family, then as a seminarian. He informed the gathering that the Archdiocese of Lagos, is set and seriously working on the return of the school back to its old glory, and advised the foundation and other organizations to join the Church to make sure the beloved Archbishop’s memory and works are not forgotten, and that the school comes back to life. Otunba Jide Pinheiro, a reliable, resourceful and a lay faithful with strong affection for the Archbishop, and one of the mentees also spoke with passion. He shared the testimony of the impact of Archbishop’s prayers, advices and works on his person and family. He acknowledged his other contributions in the Archdiocese. His Grace, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, Emeritus Archbishop of the Archdiocese of lbadan, was the Distinguished Keynote Speaker of the evening.
He revealed that the Archbishop was a child of promise, and recalled how he stayed eleven months in his mother’s womb, how he struggled with the mother before becoming a Priest. According to Archbishop Job, Archbishop Aggey was a detribalized personality, a friend of the poor and the rich. He extolled Archbishop Aggey’s humility, gentleness, respect and love for the people. He equally referred to him as ‘’Prophet in times of trouble ‘’, reminding the participants how the Archbishop was always being posted to troubled places, and how he was able to restore peace, harmony among the traditional worshipers, and other Christian denominations in the community. The participants were very happy and felt strong joy for a great man, the Archbishop of Lagos about whom there has been little or no mention in some recent documents, write ups and records.
They were of the opinion that the Foundation and other organizations should continue this initiative to share more of his works, spirituality and life style experiences of his time. The Foundation and the family thanked His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos, all the Speakers and participants for sharing their valuable time and resources to celebrate the beloved Archbishop, Aggey, as they mark the 64th anniversary of his consecration as the first indigenous Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, the biggest Archdiocese in Nigeria. The Foundation and family of the Archbishop,, and the Church consider it important to inform the public that they will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his passage, on March 13, 2022.
