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From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Anambra State-born Papal Nuncio to Czech Republic Most Rev Jude Thaddeus Okolo has decried the damaging effects of social media in Nigeria, saying that it had done more harm than good in society.
Speaking in Nnewi, Anambra State, during his 40th priestly anniversary and fifteen years of episcopacy celebration service at St Cletus Catholic Church, Nnewi, Most Rev. Okolo, said that one could not even share a brotherly discussion with his people because of the way people were abusing the platforms the social media has provided, saying that something urgent need to be done to regulate the use of it in Nigeria.
He regretted that people who are not known journalists nor have gone through journalism training have through social media hijacked the journalism profession and practice from the real professionals and have been using it to cause problems in society, saying that with such nonprofessionals everywhere in society, people are no more free to share common discussions with their brothers in gatherings.
He described his 40th priestly anniversary and fifteen years of episcopacy, as a celebration not just for him, but for everybody in Nigeria, South East and Anambra State in particular, adding that God will always be with the country, South East and Anambra people t surmount their challenges.
Earlier in his Sermon during the church service, Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, described Most Rev. Okolo, as “a man who has love for God and for men”, adding that his desire to serve God gave him the name Nwachinemelu, as he is popularly called in the state.
“The life of Most Rev Jude Thaddeus Okolo reflects a man from a cultured family and profound Catholic faith, his commitment to the love of Gods and mankind, dates back to our days in the minor seminary, he was an undisputed hardworking colleague and showed in his academic performance.
“He was very conscious of the spirit of God given to him. He submitted himself to become a God-fearing child while in school and today, everyone will see that his hard work did not go in vain. While he was in Ireland, he made name for God, Nigeria, South East, Anambra State and for himself, “the Archbishop noted.
According to an abridged biography of Most Rev Okolo, his rise in the diplomatic service of the Holy See has been steady. Archbishop Okolo was made a Papal Chaplain with the title of Very Rev. Monsignor in 1991 and a Prelate of Honour with the title of Rt. Rev. Monsignor in June 2000 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. With the creation of the Nnewi Diocese from Onitsha Archdiocese in 2001, he incardinated into the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in 2001.
On August 2, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him titular Archbishop of Novica and Apostolic by Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri Segni on 27 September 2008 at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral Nnewi, Diocese of Nnewi, and the Principal co-consecrators were Bishop Hilary Odili Paul Okeke, the then Bishop of Nnewi Diocese and Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha. At the time of his episcopal consecration and appointment as an Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Okolo was the first Nigerian, nay West African, and third African to reach this exalted position in the Vatican Diplomatic Service.
For the past fifteen years, he has been an Apostolic Nuncio; Archbishop Okolo has served in the following countries as an accredited Ambassador of the Holy See.
Apostolic Nuncio to Chad and Central African Republic (2008-2013).
Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico. He also served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Dominican Republic (2013-2017).
Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; He also served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Ireland (2017-2022). Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic and Dean of Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Czech Republic: 2022-date.
In addition to his native Igbo language, Nwachinemelu (as he is informally addressed) speaks the following languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Haitian Creole, basic Czech and basic Hausa. He has a sound working knowledge of Latin. His hobbies include music, lawn tennis, table tennis, jogging, reading and gardening.
When he was at school, he was an accomplished musician and played the organ masterly. Archbishop Okolo is a man of many parts – graceful, balanced, cheerful, hardworking, diligent and understanding. He is fully human and sublimely spiritual. He has many published works to his name, among which are: Igbo Social Stratification (1979).The Juridical Nature of the Holy See in Canon Law and International Law (1990 Doctoral Thesis).The Changing Roles of Religion in International Diplomacy Today (2008). Besides being an Archbishop and Diplomat, he is also a Knight Commander with the star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre (KC*HS). He is currently the highest-ranking Apostolic Nuncio from Africa.
A college of Archbishops and Bishops; Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo; Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, among other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Picture: A college of priests, Governor Soludo and Obi, and others at the event.
