All Hallows Homecoming: Prof. Okafor Hails Feast of All Saints as Unifying Force

Prof. Fidelis Okafor

By Polycarp Ifeanyi

A distinguished alumnus of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, has described the Feast of All Saints as an annual homecoming that brings together generations of the seminary community to celebrate their shared heritage, strengthen bonds and inspire current students.

Prof. Okafor, a former Vice-Chancellor of Anambra State University, now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, and former President-General of the All Hallows Old Boys Association (AHOBA), made the observation while fielding questions from journalists during the institution’s patronal feast celebration in Onitsha.

According to him, the feast holds profound historical and spiritual significance for the institution, providing an opportunity for old boys from different parts of the country and beyond to reunite and celebrate their common identity.

“All Saints is an annual feast, and it happens that All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha, was named after All Saints. All Hallows means All Saints. I am an alumnus of this great institution, which has celebrated 100 years of existence. So, All Saints’ Day is an occasion when all old boys from far and near gather to celebrate with one another, interact with the current students and inspire them,” he said.

He noted that the presence of former students who had become priests, monsignors and archbishops, as well as those who had excelled in other professions and vocations, served as a source of inspiration to the current students.
“When students see old boys who have become priests, monsignors and archbishops, as well as those who did not become priests but succeeded in other vocations, like myself, they are inspired,” he said.

Prof. Okafor added that the celebration was marked by joy and widespread participation, with parents of current students and representatives of colleges across Anambra State joining the seminary community.

“It is an occasion of joy, and you can see that parents of the current students and colleges across Anambra State are all represented here in jubilation,” he added.
Speaking on the spiritual significance of the feast, the former Vice-Chancellor explained that the Catholic Church commemorates all the faithful who have attained heaven, including those who were never formally canonised.
“There are many departed souls who are in heaven, and all of them are saints, but there are some whom the Church has canonised. Today, the Church celebrates all those who are in heaven, including our departed relations, parents, brothers and kinsmen who lived well, did God’s will and are now with God in heaven. All of them are saints,” he explained.
Prof. Okafor urged current students of All Hallows Seminary to take their formation seriously, describing the junior seminary as a critical stage in preparing for the priesthood.
“My advice to the current students is that they should take their training seriously. The junior seminary is the most important formation period in the priesthood. If you get it right in the seminary, you will get it right as a priest. But if you miss it in the seminary, you have missed it all. So, this junior seminary training is very important,” he said.

On the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Prof. Okafor urged Nigerians to learn from past electoral experiences and apply those lessons when making their choices.

“My call to Nigerians on the 2027 election is that they have learnt their lessons. Having learnt their lessons, they should now be able to apply those lessons to the current situation. That is to say, whoever they choose, they must stand by that person during and after the election. They should not run away and should not be intimidated,” he said.

He further expressed confidence that Nigerians knew the right person to elect, adding that even those currently in government were aware of who could lead the country to a better future.

“Nigerians know the right person to choose. Even those in government right now know the right person who can take this country to a better level,” he said.