According to the Catholic calendar, Saturday, July 3, 2021, was St Thomas the Apostle feast Day after whom St. Thomas Catholic church, Onilekere, Ikeja, acquired its name. This Day is usually remembered in the Parish in a very special way but the 2021 edition was like no other. Events marking the day began the previous Sunday being June 27, 2021, when parishioners adorned themselves with St. Thomas branded uniforms. The main event took place last Sunday being July 4, 2021 with the theme: “Celebrating our cultural diversities”. It was a day of showcasing and appreciating our rich and scintillating cultural diversities as each tribe and culture, kits and kin, regale themselves in their respective cultural identity (attires).
The parish also used the event to appreciate some of the parishioners who have in one way or another contributed to the growth of the parish with awards of commendation. Attesting to the rapid growth of the parish and one of the awards recipients, Rev. Fr. Daniel Onukwuouka Nwankwo, who is also the immediate past Parish Priest said during his homily, “When I came here in 2011, this place was a maximum purgatory”, saying that he is glad at the level of growth spiritually and otherwise of the parish. He also spoke copiously on thanksgiving and appreciating good work acknowledging that the award given him and 10 others were well deserved. Responding to the encomiums, Fr. Nwankwo poured on the parish and its priests, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Apiah and his Associate, Rev. Fr. Christopher Olagbemi, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Apiah said, “we are imitating the legacy he (Fr. Daniel) left behind”
The day featured side attractions like cultural dance groups and games. The organizer of the grand event is Mr. Jude Isichei and his team St. Thomas the apostle is the apostle often referred to as the doubting Thomas. He is the Patron Saint of Architects, Builders and India. He is said to have been sent as an architect to build a great palace for Gondoforus the King of the Indies. – He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. St. Thomas was also called the Twin (Didymus)
