WAF Nigeria: ONITSHA ARCHDIOCESE

A BRIEF HISTORY OF WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA (BLUE ARMY) ONITSHA ARCHDIOCESE

The World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army) by the fatherly blessing of Cardinal Francis Arinze, the then Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, was established in the year 1978.

It was introduced by Mr Francis M.K. Onyekadi from Warri Diocese who was then serving as a Promoter and National President of Blue Army, Nigeria.

The association started at Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha, now the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. With the assistance of Mr. Richard Mary Orazulume who selected a handful of influential personalities from the Cathedral to form an ad-hoc committee, Rev. Fr. J.B. Akam (then of All Hallows Seminary Onitsha) and Mr. Sam Obidile.

These three men convened a meeting at All Hallows Seminary to work out plans for the establishment of the society.

Mr. Richard Mary Orazulume was elected the first President and Late Mr. Alexander Okono as the first secretary (May his soul rest in peace) Amen! With other officers including Mr. Samuel Obidile, now the (Confidential Secretary to Archbishop), Mrs. V.V.I. Okoye then (Director, Archdiocesan C.W.O), Late Justice Matthew Onyiuke (may his soul rest in peace) Amen!

The first centre was established at Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish from there it spread to other parishes in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi with the help of our Lady and effort of the executives.

Not long after the establishment of Blue Army, we were favoured by a visit of the international secretary, Mr. Albert Setz Degen on 6^th – 7^th of February, 1979.

His host was the Archbishop of Onitsha, and he was received at Sacred Heart Parish Odoakpu by Marian Societies in Onitsha Archdiocese. When Mr. Albert Setz Degen returned to Switzerland, he sent many statues of our Lady of Fatima to Onitsha and the First International Flag and some books.

In 1980, as the society grew in size, we got a chaplain in the person of Rev. Fr. Julius Ututo; through whose enthusiastic chaplaincy we were able to have a miniature get-together of the Blue Army the same year at Holy Trinity.

In 1984, Blue Army in Onitsha as well organized convention which lasted for three days at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. It is noteworthy that this convention earned us a place in the American Soul Magazine (The Blue Army Magazine USA). Also the international Secretariat sent us a Giant Statue of our Lady (Human Size) for the erection of Blue Army Shrine. This mission is yet to be accomplished. In 1991 (1^st September), Onitsha Archdiocese established another powerful organ in the Archdiocese, THE MARIAN RADIO/TV COUNCIL which sponsorship was later transferred to the entire Marian Societies of Onitsha, Awka Diocese and Nnewi Diocese and it runs till date. This Television/Radio programme is one of the outstanding means of propagating the message of the Mother of God; the church and her role in the salvation of mankind.

On 1^st Sunday of April 1985, the Blue Army launched her First Sunday Rosary Procession which has spread all over the country and was welcomed by all Marian Devotees. This is also the powerful way Blue Army of our Lady in Onitsha has reached all the inhabitants of the Archdiocese, Catholics and Non-Catholic alike.

On 13^th May, 2006, the Apostolate organized her Twenty Fifth Year (Silver Jubilee) anniversary and installed seven patrons/patroness in the society, for their effort in building the family of our Lady.

The Onitsha Archdiocesan Blue Army have put in a tremendous effort in the spread of the Fatima message in Anambra State, Imo State and Delta State. They have organized the 90^th anniversary of the message of our Lady of Fatima on 13^th May, 2007. Since then, many promotion works, seminars, crusades have been going on parishes in zones and regions, including DUNUKOFIA, UMUOJI, ANAM, NZAM, OGBARU, UMULERI, AGULERI, IYIOWA ODEKPE, MBA FARM, NNOBI AND IGBARIAM. To help spread this message of Fatima to all cranny of Onitsha Archdiocese and beyond.

The population of Onitsha Archdiocese is 2900 members, Adult is 1800 members while Cadet is 1100 members. We have 80 centres.

We have also organized 97^th, 98^th and 99^th anniversary of the message of our Lady at Fatima, held 2016 Conference of Leaders which took place at St. Scholastica Monastery, Umuoji on February, where all the leaders and secretaries of parishes, zones, regions and archdiocese gathered to pray for the program of WAF in the archdiocese. It was a 3days program. Successfully held Children of the Eucharist program in the month of March for the whole cadet in the archdiocese. Conducted retreats for the Ladies, Gentlemen and Couples in the whole Archdiocese and continued the Pilgrim Visit of our Lady to parishes handed over to us by the last regime.

YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND HER LEADERS

Mr. RichardMary Orazulume 1^st President 1978 – 1992

Mr. Boniface Nwora 1^st Secretary 1978 – 1992

Mr. James Igwe 2^nd President 1992 – 2000

Mrs. Anthonia Ezeugo 2^nd Secretary 1992 – 1996

Mr. Edwin Ugwu 3^rd Secretary 1996 – 2000

Mr. Chigozie Ugonabor 4^th President 2000 – 2006

Mr. Kevin Ani 4^th Secretary 2000 – 2003

Miss Njideka Nwankwo 5^th Secretary 2003 – 2006

Mr. Emmanuel Urama 6^th President 2006 – 2009

Miss Njideka Nwankwo 6^th Secretary 2006 – 2009

Mr. Callistus Igboka 7^th President 2009 – 2012