Home > Parishioner > Okwo Barnabas Padro Pio

Mr Okwo Barnabas Padro Pio

Mr Okwo Barnabas Padro Pio

BIOGRAPHY OF LATE CATECHIST BARNABAS PADRO PIO OKWOR

Barnabas was born in the year 1964 into the family of Late Elder Silas Okwor and Mrs. Maria Okwor in Mba Nwoko family of Oshimene village Ibagwa Nike Enugu. In his early childhood, he depicted intelligence, diligent, wisdom and skillfulness. He stood exceptional in character among his peer group.

In academic field, he performed well to his ability. He obtained the first school leaving certificate in Community Primary School Nkwo Nike. The major impediments he encountered were financial incapability of the parents to carry him along with other siblings and many responsibilities. But the fact remained that Barnabas never gave up in whatsoever he was committed to do. He later resorted to learn trade in house electrical installation and obtained trade test. Later in his early twenties, he enrolled into Institute of Management and Technology Enugu (IMT), went through remedial studies and obtained the SSCE certificate with excellent result in all the subjects despite ugly challenges. He finally went through the same institution and obtained ND and HND in Co-operative Economics respectively. 

He was made the Catechist of Assumption Catholic Church Nkwo Nike in 1988, thirty-seven years ago (as at when this biography was written) and later employed as a staff of Enugu-East L.G.A. in the Local Government Council Headquarters, he made sure that the regular monthly Mass Celebration continued to be done until his death, unless in a situation where the Priest cannot make it. He worked diligently in the two offices respectively.

Barnabas Okwor was happily married with four children. As a catechist, who gave marriage instructions and settle marriage dispute, he was a role model in area of family life formation. He had more than thirty spouses he sponsored in marriage. He cared, loved and cherished his wife and children. 

He also embraced social life with so much adroitness. He posed as pillars of social organization which he belong like his Age grade association, Noble friends, way forward multi-purpose Cooperative society etc. He was also an icon in area of Community Leadership. He had held the position of secretary in the Ibagwa Nike Board of Trustees. In every position he found himself, he worded with humility, dedication and commitment and selfless service to God and humanity.

He is the foundation father of Mirror of Justice Prayer group of Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria the first ever indigenous Charismatic Prayer Group in Nike Land. From there he took the light of the Gospel to other part of Nike, like Mbuliyikwu and Mbuluowele.

He was among the first intercessors of Enugu Diocesan Charismatic Renewal trained under very Rev. Fr. Stephen Njoku of blessed Memory and he kept the pace till death. He was a committed Catechist, a position he took in 1988, and died in the office. All his spiritual admiration involve, honoring our Blessed Mother Mary and the saints especially St. Barnabas and St. Padro Pio. He was humble, poor in spirit, diligent in work, a counselor and peace make in his spiritual and social lives. 

He died in active service to God and humanity on 8th December 2020 and was buried on 5th January, 2021.