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CIWA, PORT HARCOURT – 19 June 2026 – Chijioke Azuawusiefe, SJ, John Peter Bebeley, & Appolonia Budzee

The atmosphere at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) main campus in Port Harcourt was nothing short of electric Thursday, 18 June 2026. The sub-regional ecclesiastical institution, owned by the Reunion of Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), hosted its Chancellor, Most Rev. Alexis Youlo Touabli, Bishop of San Pedro in Cote D’Ivoire and President of RECOWA, to an elaborate, multi-tiered celebration marking his historic inaugural visit to the Institute.

The landmark event seamlessly blended profound spiritual solemnity with a vibrant, three-hour grand reception. The historic day, which had in attendance the Secretary General of RECOWA, the erudite and multi-linguist Rev. Fr. Dr. Vitalis Anaehobi, brought together the CIWA community of eminent professors, top academics, distinguished scholars, principal officers, staff, and the enthusiastic student body.

The Sacrifice of the Holy Mass: A Foundation of Faith
The historic day commenced with the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass at CIWA’s Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel. Presided over by the Chancellor himself, the liturgy served as a spiritual renewal for the Institute. The chapel was filled with the heavenly harmonies of the CIWA student choir, enveloping the congregation with the beauty of their renditions.

In his homily, Bishop Touabli challenged the staff and students to remain anchors of truth and agents of pastoral transformation in Africa. He underscored the dual identity of CIWA as both an academic center of excellence and a spiritual powerhouse designed to address contemporary African realities.

The Academic Reception: Words of Welcome and Vision
Following the final blessings of the Mass, the focus shifted to the beautifully decorated Institute’s multi-purpose hall for an elaborate, three-hour grand reception.

In his opening remarks, the Rector of the Institute, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Luke E. Ijezie, expressed deep gratitude to the Chancellor, and to RECOWA for its steadfast guidance and vision in shaping CIWA. He emphasized that the chancellor’s historic inaugural visit marks a monumental milestone in the contemporary history of CIWA because it breathes fresh vigor into the Institute’s collective mission.

The Catholic Institute of West Africa, the Rector added, stands at the crossroads of academic excellence and spiritual renewal, as it marches towards becoming a full-fledged National Universities Commission-approved autonomous university.

The Institute remains fiercely committed to its founding mandate: cultivating minds that are both intellectually rigorous and deeply rooted in the Magisterium of the Church. It continues to bridge the gap between profound theological reflection and the practical, socio-cultural realities of the West African sub-region. The Rector noted that financial needs of CIWA and requested from the Chancellor more students from across the RECOWA region.

Stepping up to the podium, the Registrar, Very Rev. Fr. Wilson Akhigbe, took the stage to formally articulate the collective joy of the administrative and student bodies. His brilliant and beautifully-crafted address spotlighted CIWA’s proud heritage as a beacon of ecclesiastical and secular learning. More than just welcoming the Chancellor as an august a visitor, the Registrar also welcomed him as the chief custodian of CIWA’s vision and presented to him an Institute that continues to experience remarkable growth. He added that the student body, drawn from dioceses across Nigeria as well as from the West and Central African landscape, reflects a rich mosaic of cultural diversity and shared faith.

A Culture of Celebration: Three Hours of Grandeur
The reception showcased a diverse array of West and Central African hospitality and cultural heritage. Students representing various national and cultural heritages across the sub-region treated the Chancellor to traditional musical performances, cultural dances, and academic recitals in different languages.

The Rector presented the Chancellor with gifts of several editions of the three journals published by CIWA faculties: Journal of Inculturation Theology (Faculty of Theology); Journal of Canon Law, Moral, Pastoral, and Spiritual Theology (Faculty of Canon Law); and West Africa Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).

Bishop Youabli, visibly moved by the warm hospitality, expressed his profound gratitude to the Rector and the Registrar for their kind words, but more importantly, for their exemplary stewardship. He assured the Rector that RECOWA sees CIWA’s struggles and celebrates its victories. RECOWA knows the sacrifice it takes to run a multi-campus institution across Port Harcourt and Obehie.

CIWA’s fidelity to the Church’s teachings while addressing African realities is exactly why the Institute remains an important pontifical center of academic learning. The Chancellor equally assured the Rector that RECOWA will continue to support CIWA’s strategic growth and also promised not only to send at least one student from the Diocese of San Pedro, Cote D’Ivoire, but to encourage his bother bishops of RECOWA to send more students to CIWA.

As the historic grand reception drew to its close, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Rev. Fr. Prof. Inaku K. Egere, on behalf of Management, gave a rich and engaging vote of thanks, beginning with gratitude to God who made the day possible. He thanked the Chancellor, Bishop Touabli, noting that the CIWA community is filled with immense gratitude for the singular honor the Chancellor has bestowed upon the Institute with his visit.

The Dean expressed the Institute’s gratefulness for His Lordship’s pastoral warmth, challenging homily during the Holy Mass, and assurances of assistance for CIWA’s future. The Chancellor’s presence has not only validated CIWA’s academic labors, but has also breathed fresh apostolic zeal into its staff and student body. Yes, His Lordship came to CIWA as its Chancellor, but his presence has portrayed him as a true father and shepherd.

Prof. Egere also thanked the Apostolic Administrator of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke for the warm hospitality extended to the Chancellor. He then recognized the staff, students, and every individual who labored behind the scenes to make the reception a resounding success.

EXCLUSIVE SIDEBAR: The Chancellor Speaks
The Chancellor, Most Rev. Touabli, graciously granted a post-celebration interview to a CIWA Student Media Report Team from the Centre for the Study of African Culture and Communication (CESACC). He noted, among other points, that the future of the Church in West Africa relies heavily on how the Church forms her leaders today, and CIWA is at the very heart of that strategy.

Moving forward, he stated that his vision for the Institute is twofold: contextual relevance and global excellence. West Africa faces unique challenges in our sub-region, from economic hardship and political instability to the deep-seated need for interreligious dialogue and authentic inculturation.

CIWA must not be an ivory tower detached from these realities. Its theology must walk on the streets of West Africa.

Père Paul DAH
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