Recalling how he became a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ebuka Afomah, Associate Parish Priest, St. Cyprian Catholic Church Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, in a Mass concelebrated by Priests, said he shocked his parents and childhood friends when he dumped football for the priesthood. The charismatic Priest spoke as he marked his 10th Priestly ordination anniversary recently, adding that he will ever remain a priest of the Order of Melchizedek; even after representing Anambra State at national youth football tournaments where his talent was discovered, and later signed up and played for professional clubs in Nigeria.
According to him, the urge to join the Priesthood took over, and was ordained in South Africa in 2014 where he served as Chancellor to the Local Ordinary, Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi, OMI of Kiemoes-Uptington Diocese, and Secretary, Finance Committee on August 1, 2015 before returning to Nigeria. He noted that His Grace, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins accepted and sent him to St. Leo, Ikeja to serve, from where he was posted to Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, and currently working at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege. He spoke well of Rt. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Meyaki, Parish Priest, Holly Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, who, he revealed helped him to settled down properly after his sojourn in South Africa.
In his remarks, Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ngene, Dean of Agege Deanery and Parish Priest, St. Kizito Catholic Church, Iju, reminded Fr. Ebuka, as he is fondly called by his admirers, to use the 10th Anniversary to reflect on the journey so far and make amend, despite the encomiums and praises heaped on him, describing ten years as a priest a great achievement. Earlier, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Fasuyi, the Parish Priest, said he has found a suitable friend and partner in Fr. Ebuka Afomah, leading to the spiritual growth and infrastructural development of the Church. Fr. Ebuka, known for his code switching, from English to Igbo and interpreting same with conviction, whenever he delivers the homily, has won for himself multitudes of followers within and outside the Parish.
