Albert Benedict Nwagbo-Egbo
Rev. Br. Albert Benedict Nwagbo-Egbo was born on 8th March, 1929 to the family of late Mr. Nwagbo Egbo and Mrs Mgbeke Egbo of Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was baptised in 1950 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Mbaukwu. He did his primary school education at Akabo, Mbaukwu.
In his hunger to dedicate his whole life to the service of God and humanity in the religious life, he joined the Institute of the Marist Brothers of the Schools in 1963 for his postulancy programme. He did his novitiate from 1964 to 1965 at Uturu, and on 9th January, 1966, he was admitted to First Religious Profession at Uturu, after which he proceeded to Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu for his secondary education. On 9th January, 1971, Br. Albert made his Final Religious Profession, and in 1975, he was sent to Rome, Italy for a renewal course in Marist Spirituality. In his desire to remain stable as a Marist Brother, he took his vow of stability on 10th December, 1988 at Orlu.
His apostolic activities took late Br. Albert Nwagbo to Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre, Uturu, at the end of the Nigeria-Biafra War, where he started and worked as the manager of Hopeville Livestock Farms from 1970 to 1997. Thereafter, Br. Albert was posted to Marist Provincialate, Iva-Valley, Enugu, where he served as a Provincial Councilor and Administrator of the house from 1997 to 2000. Br. Albert also worked as the Bursar of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu from 2001 to 2003. Finishing his service at MCA, Uturu, he was sent to Christ the King College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, where he also worked as the Bursar from 2003 to 2006. Br. Albert also worked at Marist Comprehensive College, Ezzagu and Marist Nursery/Primary School, Ezzagu respectively both as Bursar and Catechist from 2006 to 2018.
In order to age gracefully, Br. Albert Nwagbo was sent to Manziana, Italy in 2017 for the Third Age renewal programme. Br. Albert strove to live a saintly life. He was popularly known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Holy Rosary, and his daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He was a generous, charitable, convinced and dedicated Marist Brother. Many people benefited from his generous and charitable works. He was a role model for both Brothers and lay people, and demonstrated a great deal of family spirit in his community and apostolic works.
Br. Albert suddenly took ill in his Community and was confirmed dead in the early hours of 3rd November, 2018 at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu. May the soul of Br. Albert rest in peace. Amen.