Philip Oduocha

Rev. Br. Philip C. Oduocha hailed from NAze in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.

He was born on 12th March, 1946 to Mr Gabriel O. Oduocha and Mrs Cecilia Oduocha, who were blessed with ten Children, six boys and four girls. Br. Philip was the fourth child.

Late Br. Philip had his primary school education at St. Jude’s School, Naze from where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1961. In 1962, he started his secondary education at Holy Trinity School, Oguta in Imo State. He finished from the school in 1966 with a very good grade.

In 1967, the Nigeria/Biafra war broke out and all ambition went into hibernation for good three years. At the end of the war in 1970, Br. Philip sought for an employment in 1972 and secured a teaching appointment in St. John’s School, Ihiagwa in Owerri. He taught in that school for three years, and then moved to St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala where he taught briefly before entering the then Bigard Memorial Seminary, now St. Joseph’s Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene for he heard the Lord calling, surely in the light.

Br. Philip graduated with second class honours in Philosophy in 1980. According to him, he ‘’completely made up his mind’’ after serious reflection to be a religious in the Congregation of the Marist Brothers of the Schools because of his great and sincere love for our Lady.

He did his postulancy in 1982, and, in 1983, he was admitted into the Novitiate at Orlu in Imo State. In 1985, he made his First Profession at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu, after which he was posted to teach at the Marist Brothers’ Juniorate, Uturu, Abia State. He went to Marist International Centre, Nairobi, Kenya, in 1986 to continue his religious formation.

In 1989, he started his Post Graduate Diploma course in Education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and came out successfully in 1991. On 14th August, 1994, he made his Final Profession at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu. In the year 2000, he went on pilgrimage to Rome, France and Israel (Holy Land). In 2002, he was sent to Marist International Spirituality Centre, Manziana, Rome, Italy, to pursue a course in Marist Spirituality.

He worked and taught in the following schools, namely: Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Our Lady of Schools Teachers’ College, Anyimgba in Kogi State, Marist Brothers’ Juniorate, Uturu, Abia State, Christ the King College, Gwagwalada, Abuja (F.C.T.), Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Sacred Heart Marist College, Ejule, Kogi State and Marist Nursery/Primary School, Azaraegbelu, Imo State, his last place of apostolate until his death.

Br. Philip suddenly took ill and was rushed to Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu.

He died unexpectedly on 10th May, 2019 when he almost recovered. Br. Philip Oduocha was a happy, quiet, peaceful and calm Brother. He was friendly with people and lived harmoniously with the Brothers in the various communities and schools where he lived and worked.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.