The New Excos of NIPRELS

At its May Meeting held at the Collegio San Paolo, the Association of Nigerian Priests, Religious and Seminarians in Rome (NIPRELS) bade its outgoing executive farewell and welcomed the newly elected executive.

The meeting began as usual with the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist of the day was most appropriate because it was Pentecost day. During the Mass, the members prayed for the outgoing officers, for a successful meeting and most importantly, for a successful election.

After the Eucharist, the members gathered in a hall for the second part of the day. There were expressions of gratitude and acclamation for the outgoing officers led by Rev Fr Stanislaus M. Okonkwo (the outgoing president who served for two terms) for the great works they have accomplished.

 

On his own part, Fr Stan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Association for the opportunity to serve and for the cooperation, collaboration and support he enjoyed. He also thanked his fellow outgoing officers for all their support.  He implored the members to extend even greater cooperation to the new officers.

 

Finally, it was time to pass the baton. The election was successfully conducted and the following were elected as the new members of the executive for the next two years:

1.       Fr Louis Mary Ocha                        - President

2.      Fr Stan Williams Ede                     - Vice President

3.      Fr George Adikime                          - Secretary

4.      Sr Mary-Sylvia Abii                         - Assistant Secretary

5.      Sr Chiazou Chinwe K.                     - Treasurer

6.      Fr Bitrus Galadima                         - Financial Secretary

7.      Fr Anthony E.                                  - Liturgist

8.     Fr Francisco Mary A. I.                   - Choir Master

9.      Fr Clement Anor                             - Librarian

10.  Bro. Adugba A. Mathias                 - PRO

11.   Bro. Francis Obasi                           - Assistant PRO/Webmaster

As part of the handover process, Fr Stan introduced the new officers to the grand patron of the Association, His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze. He also introduced them at the Nigerian Embassy to the Holy See. The association has always enjoyed the goodwill and support of both the Cardinal and the Embassy.