Relationship, Not Wealth, Is Life’s Greatest Treasure – Ikuli

Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media and Public Affairs, has recounted how his longstanding relationship with Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Ogonna Agwu, earned him what he described as a priceless lesson and memorable experience beyond material wealth.

Ikuli, who shared the experience following a book launch in Abuja, said his relationship with Fr. Agwu began more than six years ago when the priest was posted to his parish as an Assistant Parish Priest.

According to him, their relationship grew stronger over the years, particularly because of Fr. Agwu’s passion for children and commitment to their welfare.

He recalled a tragic incident involving a Block Rosary Crusade child, aged between 10 and 12, which profoundly affected both of them.

Ikuli said he received a call about the death of the child and immediately went to the community in the Federal Capital Territory, where he met Fr. Agwu making arrangements for the burial.

He said he was informed that the child had gone to school on an empty stomach and was wearing slippers because his family could not afford shoes or sandals.

According to the account he received, a teacher seized the child's slippers and flogged him. The child subsequently became ill and, after being taken to a nearby clinic, reportedly developed a reaction after receiving an injection on an empty stomach and died.

Ikuli said the incident deeply affected Fr. Agwu, who broke down in tears after hearing the circumstances surrounding the child's death.

“That was the first day I saw a Catholic priest cry in public,” Ikuli recalled, adding that he also could not hold back his tears.

The experience, he said, reminded him of the hardships he and his siblings endured while growing up in poverty and prompted him to take further steps to support vulnerable children.

On returning home, Ikuli said he discussed the matter with his wife and asked her to work with the Block Rosary Crusade coordinator in his parish and the management of the primary school in the affected community to identify children whose families could barely afford school fees, uniforms, books and other basic educational needs.

He said a list of more than 30 children was eventually compiled, and his family decided to provide assistance to the children within their means.

Ikuli stressed that the intervention had largely been carried out quietly over the years, without publicity or unnecessary attention.

Reflecting on his relationship with Fr. Agwu, Ikuli said he was aware that the priest had been writing books for several years and understood the demands associated with writing and publishing.

He said his relationship with the priest took another significant turn when Fr. Agwu contacted him a few weeks before the book launch and asked him to serve as chairman of the occasion.

Ikuli said he initially hesitated because of the calibre of personalities associated with Fr. Agwu, who serves as Editor-in-Chief of Good Shepherd Newspaper, the weekly publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

However, after Fr. Agwu persisted, he accepted the responsibility and committed the event to prayers.

The book launch, held at Merit House on Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, attracted prominent Catholic leaders, including His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja; His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Anselm Umoren MSP, Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja; and His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan CON, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja.

Ikuli noted that Cardinal Onaiyekan had returned to Nigeria from recent visits to the United States and Kenya and made time to attend the event.

He described his role as chairman of the occasion as a privilege and said the presence of three distinguished Catholic Bishops made the experience particularly memorable.

Ikuli said Bishop Umoren, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, was especially pleased to see a young man from the Niger Delta successfully undertake what he described as a demanding responsibility.

According to him, the event was a huge success and also provided him with what he called “unquantifiable Episcopal blessings.”

“What I got yesterday was more than gold and other material riches put together,” Ikuli said.

He urged young people to appreciate the value of relationships, stressing that genuine relationships built over time could create opportunities and experiences that money could not purchase.

“Young people should learn about the importance of relationship from this very story. It is pertinent to bear in mind at all times that money cannot buy relationship,” he said.

Ikuli also expressed appreciation to his wife, whom he described as “The Only Lady (TOL)” and Deputy Governor of the Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli Dynasty, for attending the event and contributing to its success.

He concluded by giving glory to God for the experience and the relationships that made the memorable occasion possible.