Tribute to Professor Emeritus Peter Mbanugo: Bigard’s Seminary Visionary Benefactor (1934–2025)

Peter Mbanugo

By Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Peter Damian Akpunonu

When I entered Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, in January 1960, the name Peter Mbanugo who was destined to become a distinguished professor of architecture and the first architect from Ihiala Local Government Area in Anambra State was already a household word.

Fondly called “Pemba” by all who knew him, he was widely admired and respected, even though by then he was no longer a seminarian.

The name left a lasting impression on me during my young, impressionable years, especially upon learning that he hailed from Ihiala.

At that time, the neighboring towns of Ozubulu, Nnewi, and Ihiala in today’s Anambra State were fervently praying for their first Catholic priests. I eagerly anticipated meeting “that man,” and my dream was fulfilled twelve years later, in 1972, when I became a formator at our alma mater, Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.

By then, he was already a highly respected and renowned architect, working closely with the seminary rector, the late Msgr. John Ogbonna, during the seminary’s reconstruction following the Nigeria-Biafra war.

My contact with him was initially limited, as my responsibilities as a formator were primarily academic rather than administrative.

However, this changed in 1978 when I was appointed rector of the seminary. I had also worked closely with His Lordship, the late Most Rev. Godfrey Mary Paul Okoye, C.S.Sp., then Bishop of Enugu Diocese, and with Mr. Robert Odinkenmelu and Peter, when the latter two invited the Knights of St. John International to establish a foundation in Nigeria.

During my tenure as rector, Bigard required many new structures, and I immediately called upon Mr. Mbanugo, who responded promptly to my appeal.

He designed and supervised all the new structures at Bigard during that period, enduring much misunderstanding and ingratitude from those who should have known better yet he bore these silently.

It is important to record that for most of the buildings, he did not charge any professional fees. I vividly recall my first year as rector when I submitted plans for a building to a funding agency in Austria but did not include the architect’s fee. When the local director of the Pontifical Mission Aid Society informed me that more funds were needed because the architect’s fee was missing, I naïvely explained that Mr. Mbanugo charged no fee. The director’s reaction shocked me: “Don’t be naive. The architect’s fee is usually 20% to 30% of the cost of the structure. How could anyone forgo such an amount?” But that was exactly what happened not once, but repeatedly.

Despite the age difference, Peter allowed me to call him “Pemba,” especially when he realized how much I liked the nickname. He was very proud of his seminary days, and this neologism a blend of his first name, Peter, and surname, Mbanugo always brought back fond memories.

His service was not limited to the seminary; he was widely known throughout the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province (which comprises today’s Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States), consistently charging little to no professional fees.

Though not a priest, Peter could rival any clergyman in his devotion, dedication, generosity, and self-sacrifice in the service of the Church and humanity.

The contributions he made to the Church while I was rector at Bigard pale in comparison to his work at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt. Before and during the construction of the new site at Obehie in Abia State, he designed and supervised twenty-two massive, impressive, and enduring structures that invite respect and admiration for his craftsmanship and ingenuity.

His weekly trips to Port Harcourt,trips for which I never reimbursed his fuel expenses or compensated him for lost work time his near pro bono supervision, and his steadfast support in times of misunderstanding and sabotage endeared him deeply to me.

He proved to be a true friend when I was in need. I was not the only beneficiary of Pemba’s sterling virtues; all who came into contact with him experienced them.

I am also aware of his tireless efforts and the hardships he endured to establish the Knights of St. John International firmly in Nigeria. Had Peter charged the Church even 50% of his professional fees, he would have been a multi-billionaire. Yet, with great modesty, he taught us that money is not everything. He did not seek to immortalize his name on the buildings he designed; God saw all, and that was sufficient for Peter. So long as he was able to keep his family comfortable, he was generous to a fault. I praise his wife, Grace, a retired High Court Judge, and their family for enduring his extravagant generosity toward Bigard and the Church they could have made his life difficult, but they did not. We thank them immensely for allowing Peter to be Pemba.

Peter is one of the unsung heroes of our time, and those privileged to know him closely must tell the world what a great person he was before God and humanity. Though some tried and failed to diminish his legacy, no one can dwarf a giant. We shall keep his memory alive and encourage future generations to emulate him.

As scripture says, “No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on a lampstand, where it shines for everyone in the house.

In the same way, your light must shine before men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:15–16). My bosom friend and benefactor, Pemba, I truly miss you and all that you represented. With a heavy heart, I bid you farewell. You lived a happy and fulfilled life. At ninety, no one can say you died prematurely, though we could have had you longer.

We love you dearly, but God loves you more; thus, He called you home, pleased that, like Jesus, as St. Peter tells us, you spent your life doing good (cf. Acts 10:37). The Lord gave you five talents; you returned billions in service. He will not hesitate to say to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21).

I find no better conclusion to this parting message than to share a beautiful prayer from the fourth century, from the Sacramentary of Serapion, which I have prayed daily for my dear Peter since I learned of his passing:

“O God, who has authority over life and death, God of spirits and Master of all flesh, we beseech You for the repose and rest of this your servant (Peter): give rest to his soul and spirit in green pastures, in chambers of rest with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all your saints; and raise up his body on the day You have ordained, according to Your promises. Remember not his transgressions and sins; grant that his passing may be peaceful and blessed. Heal the sorrow of those who belong to him, and grant us a good end through Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.”

Fr. Peter Damian Akpunonu is an internationally recognized theologian and professor of biblical languages. This tribute is sent from Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha, Anambra State.