ORIGIN OF THE NAME, DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF TRANS-EKULU, ENUGU
Origin of the Name Trans-Ekulu:
The name is derived from Ekulu River which separated the Area from the GRA area of Enugu, but nevertheless linked to it by a bridge.
The area is located East, across Ekulu River, and the word Trans is a Latin word meaning across. Hence the name Trans Ekulu, showing that the Housing Estate is situated across, Ekulu River which was the name given to the Area by the Anambra State, Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC), and after the creation of New Anambra State, Enugu state inherited the Trans-Ekulu Housing Estate and continued its development and expansion by the Enugu State Housing Development corporation (ESHDC).
Development and Expansion
Planning, Management and Development of Trans-Ekulu Estate Started in 1976 by the then Anambra State Housing Development Corporation. A Corporate entity established by Edith No.10 of 1976 and charged with the responsibilities of acquiring land, planning, development and management of such land to provide decent and affordable Residential and commercial accommodation for sale or lease to members of the public,
Following the creation of New Anambra State in 1991, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation took over the function of old Anambra State Housing development corporation in respect of Trans-Ekulu Housing Estate.
Trans-Ekulu Housing was developed in phases. The development started with phase 1 in 1976 and phases 2,3,4 and 5 were developed between 1978 and 1990 and phase 6 of the Estate was developed between 1992 and now, it includes former CBN quarters now Ivory quarters, Agu-Owa and part of Community Estate.
The community Estate was developed by the corporation for Nike people the original owner of the land as part of compensation for giving us the land. Features of this beautiful Estate include variety of residential Houses, Shops, School, Hospitals and Hotels.
The facilities are good network of roads, well planned installed electricity supply system, central sewage system, water pipes for water supply though 80% dry and churches etc.
The school includes: Federal college of Dental Technology and therapy, Trans-Ekulu Girls Secondary School, Trans-Ekulu Primary School 1&2 Trans-Ekulu River Primary School 1,2, Divine Love Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, International Nursery and Primary School etc.
The church include St. Mary parish, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Blessed Iwene Tansi Parish. Mater Dei Parish, Assembles of God Church etc.
The Hospitals include Ntasi-Obi Ndi no N’afufu Catholic Specialist Hospital, St. Gabriel Hospital, Goddel Hospital, Christ the king Hospital, Balsam Clinic etc.
The Estate 95% developed now. Medium density residential estate with beautiful neighborhood and comfortable place to live or do business located in northern part of Enugu East Local Government.
St. Mary Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu- History and Development
Jurisdictional Area St. Mary Parish Trans-Ekulu, Enugu covers phases 1 to 5 former CBN quarter, Ivory Estate-parcels A and B, Agu-Owa (Farm Settlement) and part of Community Estate (Cocaine Village)
History and Development
From Agu-owa Catholic Community
The present catholic community of St. Mary Catholic Church Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, is an offshoot of a tiny peasant catholic community from the Agu-owa (now Trans-Ekulu River) farm settlement. The early inhabitants of this area, well known for their hard work, had settled many years before the civil war.
This peasant Christian community, whose inhabitants had earlier formed a unit of Abakpa Station, came into the limelight immediately after the Nigeria civil war. The first mass was celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Raphael Ezeh at the residence of Mr. Felix Anichebe (now deceased). It was this devout catholic of blessed memory who first initiated arrangement for a Holy Mass and gathered together other Christians for the memorable visit. Late Msgr. R Ezeh, was then in charge of St. Mary, Iva valley (then comprising of Iva valley, Amoji Nike, Army Barracks, Abakpa Nike, Ugwogo Nike, Mbiriyiukwu and the environs). Rev Msgr. Eze visited all these station periodically from 1970-1976.
The emergence as a Zone
In early 1977, following the upgrading of Abakpa Nike into a station in the former Iva valley parish, Agu-owa eventually, became a zone. The parish Priest then began negotiation with the Nike Land-owners for a place of worship. The parish Priest, Rev. Msgr. Ezeh through the assistance of Late Bishop G.M.P Okoye acquired a land adjacent to the Trans-Ekulu Girls Secondary school. In September 1977, the parish Priest sent his curate Rev. Fr. Anthony Ugwu who performed the first infant baptism and also wedded 67 couples in a memorable Holy Wedlock on the 8th day of October, 1977. The persistent visit of the late Mrs. Cecilia Okeke, Mrs. Regina Eze, Chief Matthew Ikpeama Nze, Mr. Norbert Ofodile and others facilitated the sending of Rev. Fr. Anthony Ugwu.
This event coincided with the physical occupation of the federal Government low cost houses at Trans-Ekulu by lucky winners. Following spiritual growth and development at Agu-owa, Rev. Msgr. Raphael Eze granted permission for regular Sunday masses, and directed that the catholic community should arrange for a permanent place of worship. The pioneer catechist, Mr. Basil I. Chime was unanimously chosen on 2nd October, 1977 and officially commissioned on 15th August 1978.
In 1978, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Stan Anih appointed Mr. Mathew Okey Agala as the first sacristan, and he rose to chief sacristan in 1985 when he handed over to the present chief sacristan, comrade Augustine Nwonyi.
In early November 1977, the first Sunday mass was held outside Mr. Anichebe place, in a leaky primary school building (now part of the current Trans-Ekulu River School, Agu-owa).
Rev. Fr. Joe Nnadozie took over from Rev.Fr. Anthony Ugwu, and immediately founded the Catholic Women Organization, He also arranged for the conduct of Sunday evening mass at the station.
In Dec 1978 He conducted the first Harvest and Bazaar and realized the sum of N1,723.38k. To encourage the Catholic community, the parish Priest approved that the entire sum should be kept intact for running of the created zone and for eventual construction of the proposed church building.
Building a Church
The first launching for the proposed Church building project was held in 1979 and the sum of N1,465.01k (One Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira, One Kobo) which amount was considered as good was realized. This spurred the parish Priest and he initiated the construction of a Church building on the land acquired at Agu-owa. His idea of the size for the proposed Church building however did not meet the appreciation of many members of the Catholic community who preferred a small place of worship. Nevertheless, he finally allowed some work to begin at the rear end of the church land donated by the Nike community. The bigger portion of the land was to be reserved for what the parish Priest called the main Church building.
A sum of N3,224.52k (three thousand, two hundred and twenty-four naira, fifty two kobo) was spent to complete the project . We had encroached into another people’s land, apparently in a bid to save space for the main Church building. Following this unlucky development, after a crucial meeting with the Igwe Odezuluigbo of Nike, Chief Edward Nnaji, the construction work stopped. All the building materials already purchased were then transferred to Abakpa station, which also had a gigantic church project and Rev. Father’s house simultaneously under construction.
After this setback (which turned out to be blessing), the catholic community then applied formally for permission to use Agu-owa primary school, from the Anambra state Education commission and with the assistance of Rev.Fr. Stan Anih, who was then a commissioner in the Anambra state Government, the application, was granted. It is important at this stage to mention that as the catholic community increased, the parish Priest borrowed the services of his fellow priests, outside the parish, for the smooth running of the vast area under his domain. Rev. Fr. Anih was among those pioneers Priests of this catholic community. Indeed, Rev. Fr. Anih spent nearly three years of dedicated service to nurse the growth of our infant church from 1978 to 1980. He organized the first mini-launching for the new church project and also witnessed its take-off on 8th October, 1979. He was instrumental to the dynamic Christian spirit prevailing in the community at the time. For example, the catholic community cleared the ground, uprooted every huge tree on the land and dug the foundation by themselves through a manual direct labour.
The parish Priest’s action in turn spurred the entire catholic community into greater action. Rev. Monsignor R. Ezeh was gifted with an indefatigable propensity for church building and was an inspiration for other Priests. His High Architectural skill and vast experience was a great asset in this regard. To cut down on frivolous construction spending, he combined the duties of sole designer, site engineer, project co-ordinator and financial agent. This church edifice standing today is a clear evidence of his hard work.
From Zone to station
In 1981, Rev. Msgr. Ezeh celebrated the silver Jubilee of his ordination, and shortly after, Abakpa became a new parish and consequently, Trans-Ekulu was elevated to the status of a station. On 4th October, 1981, Rev. Fr. Nobert Madu was posted to Abakpa parish with Msgr. R Ezeh as the Parish Priest. The parish Priest announced immediately after mass, on Sunday 4th October, 1981 that Trans-Ekulu/Agu-owa station would have two masses on Sunday and daily morning masses. Rev. Fr. Nobert Madu (late) for some time was coming from Iva Valley parish, until the new Abakpa parish was able to equip their Rev. Father’s house but he kept to the programme obediently and strictly.
First pastoral visit
The first visit of His Lordship, Bishop M.U Eneja for turning of the sod of St. Mary Catholic Church, Trans-Ekulu, occurred on Sunday 2nd May, 1982. Rev. Fr. Madu with the assistance of the reception committee made that memorable visit a success. Before leaving the parish, Rev. Fr. Madu conducted the first Holy week ceremonies of the station. He also introduced a new St. Theresa’s hymn book, for promotion of collective hymn singing at mass.
Rev. Fr. Evans Nwamadi, was posted to St. Mary station, Trans-Ekulu, from Abakpa on 23rd September, 1982 to succeed Rev. Fr. Madu. On 16th October 1982, new zones were created, bringing the number from two (2) to nine (9). By December 1982, these zones were already operational and were used for that year’s Harvest and Bazaar competition.
It was Rev. Fr. Nwamadi who with the approval of the parish Priest, introduced the Harvest and Bazaar Silver Cup competition among zones. The first competition was won by St. Peter Zone 4 and subsequently in 1983 and 1984 respectively. On 18th January, 1983, Rev. Fr. Nwamadi set up a task force for the Church project and created four standing committees for the station council. He also met with the Catholic Women Organization and they arrived at modalities for family contribution towards roofing of the Church. A special building donation organized by him yielded a total sum of N 9,689.80k. Many families made voluntary donations. It was Rev. Fr. Nwamadi who organized the first Catholic Girls Association and ensured their proper direction through the guidance of Rev. Sr. Bernadetta Ezeliora (spiritual directress) and Mrs. A.E. Uko (Matron). Similarly, he founded St. John Bosco Club, an organization of the Catholic Young Men in which he was a member and spiritual director.
Rev. Fr. Boniface Onah took over the mantle of the gigantic plan of the station in September 1983, a sum total of N5,022.00 was already realized. He arranged for holy mass intermittently at the new church site to remind the congregation of the task ahead. On 24th September, 1984, a formal application for church land in the federal housing Estate Trans-Ekulu (zone 11), was submitted.
Church Building Project
Rev.Fr. Onah was succeeded by Rev.Fr. Fidelis Mama, who as a deacon had spent quite some time in Abapka parish, on 21st September, 1984, the parish Priest signed a contract with Mr. Francis N. Omekagu for construction of the church building.
Rev. Msgr. Eze appealed to many of the catholic families who responded by contributing materials needed to start the foundation of the church building.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eze died on 5th February 1985, but before his death he had already made arrangements for the contractor to continue with the German flooring of the church building, by the end of February, 1985, Rev. Msgr Okpalaibekwe was posted to Abakpa as the parish priest. He conducted launching during his first mass at Trans-Ekulu, to raise money for the completion of the germen floor of the church.
It has to be mentioned that Rev. Fr. Dr. Anacletus Odoemena, Rev. Fr. Iloanusi and Rev. Fr. John Ogbo were among the priests who rendered selfless services to the station within this period between December 1985-1986.
On 16th January , 1986, His Lordship, Bishop M.U Eneja wrote a letter to the Trans-Ekulu Church that the sacred congregation for the propagation of faith has made a donation of $7000 (seven thousand dollars) and a further grant of $15000 (fifteen thousand dollars) was received on 29th September of the year.
Rev. Fr. Livinus Isidienu was posted to the parish in 1986 and he continued the work of his predecessor, he was later joined by Rev. C.V.C Onaga, a deacon on Apostolic work in preparatory to his ordination in August 1987; who later became the present Bishop of Enugu Diocese.
Elevation to parish status
St. Mary Catholic Church Trans-Ekulu, Enugu was elevated to parish status in September 1988 and very Rev. Msgr. F.E Okobo was posted as the first parish Priest. A duplex accommodation was rented and furnished at First Avenue to serve as temporary parish house. He came along side with Very Rev. Dr Emmanuel Anike (of blessed memory), and both worked assiduously under harsh economic condition for the development of the young parish spiritually and otherwise.
It was during the period of Rev. Fr. F.E. Okobo that the CWO, CMO, CYWO, CYMO and zonal councils were reorganized as directed by the Bishop. Church pews were built or donated. But in November 1990, Rev. Fr. F. Okobo was appointed as the first Bishop of Nsukka diocese and installed on 6th February 1991. Rev. Fr. Onyeador who was the parish Vicar then held the young parish till September 1991. In September 1991 Rev. Msgr. T. Anichebe took over as parish priest.
Very Rev. Msgr. Tobias Anichebe initiated the construction of the parish house along with fencing the church compound. It was also during his period that the glazing of church widows started in earnest. The construction of the sanctuary was done and more pews built for the church. He tried to improve the public address system within the church and bought a small electric plant. He was planning for the terrazzo work on the church main bowl when he was transferred to Sacred Heart parish Uwani.
In February 1998 Rev. Msgr. Luke I. Adike took over from Msgr. Tobias Anichebe as parish priest. The period of Msgr. Luke Adike saw a further growth in the spirituality of the parishioners. Visiting the sick members was intensified, the liturgy was further explained and followed, many of the Church pews were built or donated by families and individuals.
The terrazzo works on the entire Church except the gallery and sacristy were completed and the Church electrified. The Fans donated by the CWO were installed. It was also during his tenure that the parish Church was painted in and out.
It is worthy of note to mention that Rev. Msgr. Adike celebrated his silver jubilee of ordination in the parish,
Rev. Frs. Vin Onyekelu, Clem Ilechukwu (prophet), Donatus-Mary Chukwu, Sam Onyekpa and Kingsley Awulonu served under Msgr. Adike as Curates while Rev. Frs. David Nnajiofor, Dan Aniuzu and A Okwulehie were resident priest. They all worked assiduously and shared in progresses achieved during the period of their postings. It was during the tenure of Rev. Msgr. Adike that St. Leo De Great federal Housing Estate became a parish carved out of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Very Rev. Msgr. Patrick Ugwu took Over in February 2003. His first project was to train the parishioners to keep to the time for every function particularly the Holy Mass. He furnished the parish office and replaced all bad light in the church. Having noticed the extremely urgent need for the parish hall he commenced the construction work. At the instance of his passionate appeal, a giant brand new Perkins 42.5KVA set was donated to the parish by an individual. By dint of hard work, Msgr. Ugwu stopped all forms of levy in the parish throughout his tenure. He attracted the family that spent over N2.5 million reconstructing the church main entrance. He completed the ceiling of the Church and flooring of the entire church premises by voluntary donations.
He encouraged the leagues of Sacred Heart of Jesus and parishioners to build a most befitting Chapel of Perpetual help Adoration. Similarly, the parish CWO constructed a befitting Grotto of Our Lady under his able guidance and encouragement. He was the first parish Priest that conducted Xmas Carol and also bought special musical equipment and public address system for the 8am Angelic Voice Choir.
Rev. Msgr. Ugwu waded into the controversy that greeted the plan by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria Trans-Ekulu to build their own hall. Finally, he was able to convince a great majority of Parishioners that the hall would be of benefit to all parishioners. Due to his spiritual attributes of simplicity, humility and cheerfulness, he had on many occasions wedded indigent couples, without insisting that they must pay the fees.
He ensured that park Lane Hospital, Girls Secondary School, Trans-Ekulu and Solid Base Nursery, Primary and Secondary School had masses at intervals. It was during Rev Msgr. Ugwu that Blessed Iwene Tansi station, phase six, became a parish. He encouraged the new parish for rapid growth and worked very closely with the new parish Priest Rev. Fr. (brigadier General) Sebastian Emekakwue.
Very Rev. Msgr. Geoffrey Ogbuene took over in January 2010, and shortly held a meeting with stakeholders of the parish to intimate them of his policies and plans. At that meeting he highlighted his policies and some problems which needed urgent attention, e.g. poor lighting in the church, reconstruction of the dilapidated parish kitchen, and construction of car park etc.
Within a few weeks, he re-arranged the church lighting into a trunk-shape and purchased new set of public address system. He revitalized the project Sunday (SECOND SUNDAY) collection and from that he was able to construct new parking lots in the parish house. He dug two big water reservoirs in the parish house for storage of rain waters, and floored the entire inner compound of the parish house.
As part of his Easter project, the parish priest commissioned a beautiful outdoor Stone-pitched station of the cross built by St. Theresa Zone 10 under the supervision of Engr. C. Nwakanma. The reconstruction and interlocking of the new Grotto praying ground with seats was done by members of zone 9 and equally commissioned by the parish Priest.
For clarity, the enormous achievements of Very. Rev. Msgr. Ogbuene are summarized on yearly basis as shown below.
2010— The parish toilet was reconstructed and handed over by the CMO. The Parish Priest initiated the replacement of old church pews by voluntary donations. The old parish office was renovated and refurbished, and a parish finance office was established. Cladding and roofing of the parish Hall began in earnest after the Hall launching in July 2010. First parish Health week was held and our Lady of Perpetual help shrine was officially enthroned in collaboration with the Redemptorist Priest.
2011— The parish Charity Group paid the bills of some patients and rescued parishioners at Annunciation Hospital Emene paying bills above three hundred thousand naira (N300,000). The Hall premises were fenced, gates installed, landscaping and erosion control embarked upon. There was a total reconstruction and marble-tilling of the entire church sanctuary and funds came from the donation realized from a guest who attended a golden wedding Jubilee of a family in our parish. The sacristy ceiling was renovated and its floor tiled.
2012— The parish inverter was installed and used for Easter celebrations. Donations were made in support of Federal School of Dental, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, for their chapel building project. The CYON Cultural dance group was also launched in June 2012. As a security measure, cars scanner/bomb detectors were introduced.
After a special dinner with some elected philanthropists, donations were voluntarily received specifically to sponsor the cost of the Church Digital Bell. This strategy was adopted to remove the financial burden from the parish council who had in principle approved the installation of Digital Bell. In preparation for the Bishop’s visit, the entire church and parish house were repainted.
2013— The Men of Order and Discipline (MOD) group was introduced and finally commissioned on 30th June, 2013. The parish CWO Merit Award was held on 13th October, 2013, and soon after they embarked upon the tilling of ground floor of the parish Hall. Renovation of parish Secretariat (Former Charismatic Hall) which began earlier in the year, was commissioned by the Bishop on 30th March, 2014. Parish offices were carved out for the priest, the catechist, the laity council, the CWO and for a parish Bookshop.
MATER DEI PARISH: With Rev. Fr. Theodore Ozoamalu as first parish Priest, was created from St. Mary Parish, Trans-Ekulu and Ss Peter and Paul Ugbene in August 2013.
2014 — To end the incessant interruption of light by the public supply Authority, the parish Priest beckoned upon parishioners to make voluntary donations for a new 88KVA Generator set. The parishioners cooperated and the generator costing N2.5million was supplied and installed by JMG Limited in April, 2014.
DEDICATION OF ST. MARY PARISH
Very Rev. Msgr. Ogbuene is a silent achiever. He is an organized human being who has a big Plan for St. Mary parish. He is never discouraged, and this is one reason why he made a request to His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. C.V.C Onaga for the dedication of St. Mary Church in April 2014, when most parishioners felt he had done a lot and deserves some rest. A date was fixed by His Lordship.
Infact, it was after he had set up a parish dedication committee under Comrade (Chief) Chumaife Pius Nze (JP) as chairman and Mr. Cletus Ugwuoru as secretary that the sensitization began, and then the parishioners realized the magnitude of work involved in dedicating a church. The physical structure of our church had to undergo surgical, architectural and structural re-designing and total rehabilitation starting with the following:
- Tiling of the entire Church floor and corridors
- Changing of the whole steel doors, windows, etc.
- Installation of Handrails to Church door steps/passages
- Hand-railing of the corridors and frontage to secure the privacy/serenity of that part of the Church and check trafficking.
- Re-painting of the entire Church (in and out), the parish house and the Chapels
- Replacement of the remaining old pews, etc. etc.et