Emmanuel Allassan Achemah
Late Br. Achema Emmanuel Alhassan was born on 1st June, 1966 into the family of late Mr. Achema Okpanachi and Mrs. Igbi Achema in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State. He grew up in a Muslim family. Br. Achema was baptized into the Catholic faith in 1983.
Late Br. Achema did his primary education at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Anyigba from 1976 to 1981. He entered the Teachers’ Training College, Anyigba from 1983 to 1988 where he obtained the Teachers’ Grade II Certificate. Br. Achema served in the Nigeria Police Force from 1992 to 1994.
In his desire to serve God and the Church, late Br. Achema resigned from the Nigeria Police Force and joined the Marist Brothers Postulancy at Orlu in 1994. After his Postulancy, he went to the Marist International Novitiate, Kumasi-Ghana for the two-year novitiate formation. Br. Achema made his First Religious Profession in 1997 in Ghana. After his First Profession, he proceeded for his scholasticate formation and professional training at the Marist International University College, Nairobi, Kenya. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed). He later obtained a Master’s Degree (MA) in Religious Studies at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, Kenya in 2013.
His community and apostolic services took him to these places: St. Paul’s Community Anyigba from 2000 to 2003; Dean of Students’ Affairs, Sacred Heart Marist College, Ejule from 2003 to 2005; Director, Marist Nursery/Primary School, Uturu and Marist Comprehensive Academy/Mt. St. Francis Community, Uturu. He joined the “Mission Ad Gentes” in Bangladesh, Asia in 2008. In addition, he was Superior, Holy Cross Community, Uturu from 2010 to 2012. Until his death, Br. Achema was the Principal of Sacred Heart Marist College, Ejule, Kogi State.
Late Br. Achema fell sick late 2017. He was admitted at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu. He was treated and discharged by the doctors. He had been going for routine check up at the same hospital. On Easter Sunday, while at Mass, he felt uneasy and went to the Community to rest. He slept in his bed, and never woke up from that sleep.
Br. Achema was a very simple, quiet, honest and straight-forward Brother. He was a great community person and team player in both administrative and community issues. The death of Br. Achema at his productive age is a sad and great loss to the Province, and the Institute in general. We believe that he is resting in the bosom of the Lord. May the Soul of Br. Achema Rest In Perfect Peace. Amen.