Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Onose: A humanistic Priest At 50

By Moses Darah
July 30, 2022

Today, the Roman Catholic community, family, friends and well-wishers are united in love and prayers in celebrating the golden jubilee of the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Odion, Very Rev Fr Samuel Etebore Onose.

Ordained 22 years ago (8th December, 2000) into the priesthood in the Diocese of Warri, Samuel Onose has devoted his ministry in helping people to achieve personal growth through the use of science and reason rather than only looking to religious traditions.

Last year, we lost our beloved mother, Madam Helen Egomarho Chichah, precisely, March 8, 2021 at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. The timeframe for the burial ceremony was short in line with the Catholic tradition. So during the burial arrangements, we were faced with few challenges from the Church. A week to the ceremony, I reached out to Rev Fr Dr Christopher Ekabo. He advised me to speak to the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Okwagbe, Fr Onose.

After a few phone calls, I met Onose for the first time in April 23, 2021 at Otutuama, venue of the funeral mass for my beloved mother. He meandered through that slippery and abandoned Okwagbe-Otutuama road on bike. My colleague, Prof Rev Fr Mark Omorovie Ikeke forced his jeep through to join him. After the ceremony, I had no doubt in my mind that the Catholic Church houses some of the best men of God in Nigeria.

Onose’s value for humanity, dignity and professional conduct before, during and after the burial ceremony almost forced me to expedite a push back to my birthplace of worship, the Catholic Church.

As a born-Catholic, I can confidently say that Onose is one of the reasons Catholic parishioners have high regards for their priests. He is caring, considerate, compassionate, understanding, loving, approachable and friendly.

He later called to commend me for drawing the attention of the Delta State Government to the deplorable situation of the Okwagbe-Otutuama-Esaba-Ophorigbala-Ighwrogun road on the social media.

Since then, my admiration for Onose as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church has grown tremendously. He has shown capacity as a friendly, kind, supportive and loving priest. He is perfectly stepping well into the shoes of his senior colleagues like Anthony Mario Ozele, Magnus Alim, Bernard Olagba, Emmanuel Erhoma, Oliver Offor, Ambrose Onyewuchi, Jude Obiunu, Charles Epetuku, Mark Ikeke, Joseph Onogagamue, Jude Sagbodje, Joachim Ukutsemuya, Sylvester Enomah, Stephen Ogheneovo, Christopher Ekabo, Raymond Igbogidi, Desmond Mbidoaka, Vincent Owoaka, Gabriel Sodje, Edmund Tansi Emakpor and Jude Igho.

Join me to celebrate and pray for the celebrant! Padre, May God Almighty give you your heart desire! God’s grace will strengthen you as you mark your 50th birth anniversary! As you celebrate, may the good Lord increase your wisdom. I wish you many happy and blessed moments in life.

Cheers, Padre!