Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja has been declared the overall winner of the 6th edition of the All Nigeria Major Seminaries Festival of Art and Culture (ANMSFAC), held recently at Seminary of All Saints, Uhiele, Ekpoma, Edo State, The Seminary came tops in the competition, winning the gold in Liturgical Music and silver in Drama. The overall 2nd position went to the host Seminary, Seminary of All Saints, Ukiele-Ekpoma, with gold in Drama and bronze in Art, while St. Joseph, Ikot-Ekpene, took the overall 3rd position with gold in Art.
The five-day festival tagged ‘UHIELE 2025, which held from 18th–22nd February, 2025, brought together 560 Seminarians from 14 Major Seminaries across the country, including St. Albert the Great Major Seminary (SAGS), Abeokuta, Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan; Seminary of All Saints, Uhiele-Ekpoma; Blessed Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha; Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu; Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Okpuno and Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Others are The Claritian Institute of Philosophy, Maryland, Nekede. Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna; Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri; Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Umuahia; St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos; St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi; and St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene. The festival with the theme, “Our culture, our faith, our hope”, featured competitions in art, drama, and liturgical music, with set piece titled, ‘Sing unto God,’ composed by Vincent Ihaza and original compositions from each Seminary.
The contingent of St. Albert the Great Major Seminary was led by the Director of Arts and Culture, Rev. Fr. Francis Fabidun. In his welcome address, the Director of Arts and Culture of the host seminary, Rev. Fr. Vincent Bamisaye Ojo, expressed joy, thanking God for journey mercies for all contingents from the various Seminaries. Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Dunia, while presiding the opening Mass charged all to maintain brotherly love, and uphold their respective cultures as various competitions unfolded. The opening ceremony which was anchored by a Theology II Seminarian of St. Albert the Great Major Seminary, Mr. Onoirorokarevu Theophilus featured, among other things, a cultural parade, where the contingent of St. Albert the Great Major Seminary, displayed the beauty of Eyo, a traditional masquerade that showcases the culture and heritage of the city of Lagos.
St. Albert the Great Seminary took the overall 9th position, putting up highly spirited performances in the various presentations, especially in the Drama category, where it took the 4th position. The drama entitled “The People Loved by God” was written and directed by a Theology III seminarian, Mr. Adegoke Vincent. Other presentations included: Artwork by a Theology I seminarian, Mr. Akonte Stephen and Liturgical Music by the Seminary contingent titled, ‘Ounje Iye L’ara Oluwa.’ During his words of appreciation, the Rector of the host Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Ovabor Ihensekhien, expressed his gratitude to the Proprietors of the Seminaries: the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and also to the Rectors and Directors of Arts and Culture of the various Seminaries, as well as all the contingents for their cooperation and contributions towards the success of the Festival, announcing that the next ANMSFAC Games will be hosted by Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, in 2026.
While receiving and welcoming the contingent back to the Seminary, the Vice Rector of St. Albert the Great Seminary, Rev. Fr. Peter Egbe, on behalf of the Rector and the other Formators, expressed appreciation to God for journey mercies and successful participation at the event. He also expressed appreciation to Rev. Fr. Francis Fabidun, the Director of Arts and Culture, and the contingent for representing the Seminary at the event and for a job well done. He called on the contingent to use the lessons learnt from their experience of the festival to improve themselves in all the areas of formation.
