A Tribute to Revd Fr Emmanuel Ogah Oche as He Turns a Year Older Today

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By Ogiri John Ogiri.

Dear Revd Fr Emmanuel Ogah Oche, I remember with nostalgia when and how we met and became inseparably close, with that closeness eventually germinating into true friendship irrigated by waters of mutual trust, care, kindness and love for virtues. At the St Francis Cathedral, Otukpo during a Diocesan Seminar for Seminarians of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in August, 2004, which happened to be the first time I had ever met you, you impressed upon my psyche, a lasting memory of a Seminarian and a brother with a heart of gold. I was humbled by your interest in my desire to become a priest. You, together with now Fr Godwin Idoko, looked forward to having me join you at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi (STAMS) so that together, we could help build the Idoma Catholic Choir to an enviable height. You guided me through the registration process. You followed me to purchase the admission form and as I filled the form, you were there guiding me despite your own busy schedule as a seminarian. 
Despite the collapse of my seminary and Presbyterian dream later, however, you never stopped being a good friend to me. Then we met again, this time at Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos State shortly before your final graduation and ordination. Oyi, you know we relished that moment of our meeting. Sometimes we trekked from Mafoluku to Oshodi Isale for window-shopping talking about life in general, sometimes wondering about and trying to fathom the mystery of life, like those disciples did on their way to Emmaus. We cemented that friendship the more as often as we met.
In all honesty, thus, I must admit and confess that your selflessness, exceptional generosity, unperturbed personality in the face of daunting challenges, untiring commitment to the service of God and humanity, excellent leadership quality, unparalleled humility, unquenchable desire to learn from both the young and the old, have always held and will continue to hold great fascinations for me. 
As a dependable friend and priest, your kind and easy-going nature has continued to resonate everywhere I turn. I encounter it when I see children at play; I hear it when the Church bell rings on Sunday morning; I feel and adore it in the rousing wind and oceans. You are one in a million!
Today is your birthday. I do not write this in the conviction that it will be adequate to capture who you are and all that you represent as time and space will not oblige me such luxury. It is intended however to let the world catch a glimpse of the man and priest, Revd Fr Emmanuel Ogah as you mark your birthday today.
Happy birthday to you my dear friend, priest, brother and confidant!

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