Sir Victor Gbenga ADIGUN, KSM

The Chief Shepherd of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo and the entire Catholic faithful of Oyo Diocese celebrated  with Mrs. Patricia Olanike Olajumoke Omekeh on her two in one celebration (65th birthday and retirement as Chief lecturer at Department of Visually Impaired Persons, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo).

 

Saturday, 21st June, 2025 marks a milestone and remarkable day in the life of Mrs. Patricia Olanike Olajumoke Omekeh as all roads led to St. Bernardine Catholic Church, Owode, Oyo; the venue for her 65th Birthday and Retirement Thanksgiving Mass from the service of the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo.

 

The occasion commenced at 10:00am with the Holy Mass officiated by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Olanrewaju as the Chief celebrant and Rev. Fr. Eke Leo, Rev. Fr.  Lawrence Oke, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Jolasun and Rev. Fr. John Irekiigbe as concelebrating priests. Parishioners of St Bernardine Catholic Church, Oyo, Mrs Omekeh's colleagues from Federal College of Education (Special Oyo) and many of her friends and family members were also present.

 

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Leo Eke, emphasized on Mrs Omekeh's devotedness to the Catholic faith, and the growth and development of the Church. He recalled that their path crossed during his time as Parish Priest of St Bernardine's and they have remained very close ever since.  He reiterated how Mrs. Patricia Olajumoke Omekeh coped with her disability and had become a beacon of hope, admiration and model for many Catholics including those living with disabilities. He added that right from her immediate family, she had faced daunting challenges but was prepared to show to the world that despite her disabilities, she can still achieve great feats.

He also told the congregation how she would attend every major function of the Diocese. This informed the decision of the Bishop Emeritus of Oyo, Most Rev. Dr. Julius Babatunde Adelakun to ensure that she reads at some of such events. He also pointed out that Bishop Julius Babatunde Adelakun has a unique gift of bringing out something special in everyone and for Mrs. Patricia Omekeh, it's her ability to read so well that she became an envy to many.

Fr. Leo also shared to members, how dedicated Mrs. Patricia Omekeh is to the various organs of the Church; she is a member of Saint Rita of Cassia Society, Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria, Lay Readers Association, for which she is the President at the Parish among others. Going forward, the Priest admonished her to adopt a life of prayer and devotion in this new phase of her life (retirement).

He also told the congregation of a talent he admires in her and that is the ability to know exactly where she keeps anything. She has never mistaken where anything she keeps can be found. “Ask her in three (3) years where she kept a particular thing and you can be sure that she will tell you where it can be found, she is that meticulous”, said the homilist. He concluded his homily by encouraging members not to see any disability as an excuse not to excel in life. This is because there is ability in disability.

 

After the Mass was the reception where dignitaries were gathered to celebrate this unique woman. Present were the Chief Shepherd of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman and Ibadan Sub-council GK, Sir Dr Theophilus Ajobiewe, the CMO Chairman of the Parish  represented by his Vice, Dr Charles Ogunkoya, the CWO Chairperson of the Parish, Mrs Mary Ogunkoya,  parishioners of St Bernardine, family members and friends from every nook and cranny of the country.

 

The Chairman of the occasion, Sir Dr Theophilus Ajobiewe, who was the former Deputy Provost of Federal College of Education Oyo, described the celebrant as a vibrant special educator, who uses her disability to serve the Church and humanity in general.

In his remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese Congratulated the celebrant, describing her as a very  unique person who has actually used all the 3Ts (Talents, Treasure  and Time) God has given her to serve her Creator till date. We recall how the Bishop presented to her the complete Year Circle of The Daily Missal, the Braille version. He later presented her an award on behalf of the entire Catholic Diocese of Oyo.