Very Rev. Fr. Nicolas Tagbo transits

ITRealms:

The first indigenous principal of the Christ the King College (C.K.C.) Onitsha in Anambra State, the Very Reverend Father Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo, has transited to eternal life, at the age of 87 year old, reports ITRealms.

Fr. Tagbo, an indigene of Awkuzu in Anambra State, was himself, an alumnus of CKC and was the 10th principal of CKC between 1963–1972, while his students include many men of substance amongst whom are the His Grace, Valerian Okeke, the Archbishop of Onitsha; His Grace, Hilary Okeke, the Bishop of Nnewi; Ex-Gov. Peter Odili; Ex-Governor Peter Obi; Gov. Willie Obiano, just to mention a few.

ITRealms gathered that under his watch, CKC won Nigeria's first ever world cup in Dublin in 1977, which added to the school’s soaring reputation and for a region coming from a three-year civil war.

Fr. Tagbo who was the first indigenous Catholic priest from Awkuzu, was also known for moulding his students’ in character and learning while encouraged them to strive to live above the common ways of life, and to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

ITRealms gathered that Fr. Tagbo on leaving CKC was sent to Government Secondary School Afikpo (GSSA) between 1973 and 1976.

Under his watch, GSSA commenced the move from Enugu to its original campus in Afikpo in 1973, following intervention of some notables like Ofia Nwali, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, and Aja Nwachukwu.

Reacting to late Fr. Tagbo’s demise, one of his former students, Dr. Fidelis O. Mkparu, described him as simply “a good man” stressing that “To say that Fr. Tagbo is special is an understatement.”

Born in a town new Jos in northern Nigeria on 21st August 1929, Fr. Tagbo, was sent by his parents to live with his grand-father in Awkuzu, Anambra State where he attended Saint Theresa Primary School and later attended Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha.

Also, he taught junior seminarians at All Hallows Nkpor, near Onitsha before enrolling at Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu in 1951 and in 1952, left to attend National University Dublin, Ireland where he studied Chemistry and Mathematics.

In 1956, Fr. Tagbo returned to Bigard to complete his theology studies and was ordained a priest on July 31, 1960. By 1962 he was appointed the first black principal of CKC Onitsha, where he spent all his years as school principal at CKC except for the three years he was at GSSA (1973-1976). He retired as a school principal in 1985.

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