As the curtains fall on a remarkable three-day spiritual and civic mobilization, the atmosphere across many communities has shifted from standard weekend festivities to a more reflective, somber, yet deeply empowering reality.
The first weekend of May was far more than a routine gathering of patriarchs; it evolved into a dual-purpose forum for radical health transparency and a heart-touching memorial for a legal luminary and late Deanery Coordinator, the tragic loss of Barr. Aloy Abarah.
Central to the weekend's activities was a powerful mobilization by the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) at St. Jude Parish, Mafoluku, Oshodi-Lagos. Led by their Chairman, Ogbuefi Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke, KSM, the men concluded a transformative three-day Triduum (spiritual retreat) aimed at internal alignment, civic duty, and health preservation.
CMO Mandate: Civic Engagement & Domestic Governance
In an institutional charge to the "Gallant Men" of the parish, Ogbuefi Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke emphasized that a father's role in 2026 extends far beyond basic financial provision.
"Our theme, 'Civic Engagement of Catholic Fathers as Agents of Change for Good Governance,' is not a political slogan; it is a Christian mandate," Nweke asserted. "As fathers, we are the first governors of the 'Domestic Church.' If we cannot govern our homes with the fear of God, we cannot demand good governance from our nation."
The CMO leadership rallied its members to stand as an immovable "Unified Block" in the front pews during Sunday's Grand Thanksgiving Mass; clad in their full CMO Ankara as an "Armor of Fraternity" demanding absolute liturgical and social discipline.
The spiritual retreat, featuring a compelling keynote address by Bro. Hillary Anichebe, challenged the men to let these lessons transform them into proactive citizens and devoted protectors of their households.
The Silent Killer: Demystifying the Prostate
While such gatherings traditionally revolve around social milestones, Saturday’s core event took a direct hit at the medical negligence and misinformation plaguing the modern era. Addressing the men of St. Jude Parish during the Men’s Health Talk, Registered Nurse Okezue Rita Chidimma lamented the widespread tendency of men to neglect their personal well-being, strongly enjoining them to establish a habit of regular, even quarterly hospital visits.
Nurse Chidimma took the time to meticulously break down the anatomical journey of the male body, narrating the progressive stages of prostate health that every man should monitor.
According to Nurse Okezue, the journey begins at the baseline of a Healthy Prostate. In this initial stage, the gland remains its normal, walnut-like size, quietly fulfilling its biological duty of fluid secretion while leaving the urinary pathway completely clear and unobstructed.
However, as time moves on, many men transition into the second stage: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Nurse Okezue clarified that this is a non-cancerous enlargement of the gland. Despite being benign, its physical growth squeezes the surrounding channels, creating uncomfortable urinary tension and flow issues for the individual.
The final and most critical phase she highlighted is the Advanced Stage, or Carcinoma. Here, normal cellular patterns break down, giving way to aggressive, malignant cells. The primary danger at this peak stage is the high risk of these cancerous cells breaking through the prostate capsule, allowing the disease to spread silently to other parts of the body.
Crucially, the health forum balanced clinical warnings with practical lifestyle solutions, challenging the dangerous social media myth that diet or supplements alone are an impenetrable shield. Nurse Chidimma emphasized that early biomedical detection remains the ultimate weapon against the disease.
However, she also highlighted the value of active physiological maintenance, urging the men to engage in simple indoor exercises and maintain regular sexual activity to ensure all organs of the body remain active, clear of stagnant fluid, and functioning optimally.
Legacy of Giving: The Barr. Aloy Abarah Memorial
The weekend also marked the emotional one-year anniversary of the burial of Barr. Aloy Abarah, a respected lawyer whose career was defined by selflessness and legal advocacy for the vulnerable. The high-profile Memorial Mass was concelebrated by three priests, including the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Patrick Okoye, alongside the Father In-Charge of the Dominican Support Volunteers and a representative of the Deanery Chaplain.
To honor his lasting memory, the Abarah family and close associates chose to eschew a lavish traditional feast. Instead, following the solemn Mass, they hosted a poignant "Memorial Gifting" session dedicated entirely to empowering local widows. Dozens of women received comprehensive empowerment kits and direct financial support to sustain their livelihoods.
The emotional peak of the event featured profound tributes from key Catholic leaders:
“Supporting these vulnerable women is the most fitting 'living monument' we could ever build for him,” declared the pioneer chairman of the parish CMO, Mazi Obinna Amaechina.
The President of the Lagos Archdiocese Catholic Men Organisation (LACMON), Barr. Kingsley Ekwem, highly commended the family, the parish CMO, friends of the late coordinator, and the deanery leadership led by Ekpe Nta Bassey, urging them to draw strength from the good deeds Abarah left behind on earth.
Adding to the gravity of the occasion, the emeritus chairman of the parish, Chief Virginus Ikwuka, raised a solemn hymn that shook the venue with raw emotion, urging everyone in attendance to take solace in a life of selflessness and service. Chairman of LOC for the memorial, Sir Ikechukwu Ezeadigo was full of appreciation to the participants on behalf of the family.
Intersection of health and responsibility
The deliberate structure of this Triduum this intertwining a strict spiritual foundation, a rigorous prostate health seminar, a widows' welfare outreach, and a celebration of fatherhood—highlights a profound truth for the modern African man. To be a "father" or a "pillar" requires more than structural presence; it demands active self-preservation.
The untimely vacuum left behind by structural pillars like Barr. Abarah underscores the fragility of the family unit when health is ignored. The health symposium provided the scientific "how-to" for staying alive, while the memorial gifting served as a reminder of a community's sacred duty to care for those left behind.
Quick Digits: The Weekend Breakdown
45: The critical age at which men with a known family history of prostate cancer must begin yearly screening.
80%: The tragic percentage of Nigerian men currently diagnosed at an incurable stage due to late detection and medical fear.
1/4: The frequency (quarterly hospital visits) recommended by health experts for comprehensive male wellness checks.
3: Concelebrating priests who led the solemn memorial mass for the late Deanery Coordinator.
1: Year since the transition of Barr. Aloy Abarah, whose legacy of justice continues through community empowerment.
As the community steps into a new week, the enduring mandate from St. Jude Parish and the Abarah memorial remains absolute: Honour the legacy of the dead by empowering the living, and honor your family by taking your clinical health seriously.
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*For more analytical deep dives into the intersection of technology, healthcare, and civic policy, stay tuned to exclusively WeekendDigits@ITREALMS.
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