Imo Chapter of Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Old Boys Association pays annual visit to alma mater

The Imo Chapter of MESOBA holds her 2025 homecoming to Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Nguru Mbaise Imo State.

As has become a noble tradition, the Imo Chapter of the prestigious Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Old Boys Association (MESOBA) paid their annual visit to their alma mater, together with their wives, children, friends and loved ones. The seminary visit was a week-long event starting with free medical outreach in the seminary during the week for the seminarians and staff, including comprehensive eye checks and free glasses for the seminarians.

On Sunday, 19 January 2025, the Imo Chapter of the seminary alumni together with their families celebrated the Holy Mass in the seminary chapel with the seminarians and formators, bringing back nostalgic memories for the Old Boys. After Mass, both students and Old Boys held the normal daily assembly at the assembly grounds with the seminary band leading the school anthem. The 1992 set, honoured as ndị Opara Mater (pioneer graduating set), gave the usual morning recitation, in the person of Mr Michael Arukwe, the first senior prefect of the school back then.

The new Rector, Fr Marcel Asika Okafor, only one week into the job, thanked the Imo Chapter of MESOBA immensely, and thanked his predecessor, Very Rev. Fr Dr Emmanuel Nwaogwugwu, who began the arrangements beforehand. The Imo Chapter President, Barr Chidi Chimah, also congratulated the new Rector and thanked the Bishop for granting their request to have an alumnus as Rector of Mater Ecclesiae Seminary.

With the Mass and assembly over, meals followed as all proceeded to the refectory where the alumni (both priests and lay) and their wives served at table themselves, dishing out suya, drinks and other delicacies to the young students, to accompany the sumptuous lunch prepared by special caterers.

Having spent the entire day with the students, all moved to the seminary field for a soccer match between the students and the alumni. Despite the pleas and pampering of the Old Boys, the students thrashed them 2-1 in the field, bringing the happy reunion to a beautiful end. All went away joyfully.

Maria Mater Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis!