HOMILY DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP JOHN KWAO AMUZU AGGEY, LATE ARCHBISHOP OF LAGOS ON SUNDAY 13TH MARCH, 2022 AT THE HOLY CROSS, CATHEDRAL, LAGOS
1. I was a boy in Abeokuta fifty years ago when we heard the news of the death of late Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey, the then Archbishop of Lagos. That morning at the Assembly in my school – St. Augustine Catholic Primary
School, Itesi, I was asked to lead the School in prayer. The reason for this, I still do not know.
2. Now, fifty years after, here at Holy Cross Cathedral I have been asked by his second in line of successors, His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins to lead the Congregation at this Memorial Thanksgiving Mass marking the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of his death. His Grace is unavoidably absent today as he is pastorally engaged at the opening ceremonies of the Laity week.
3. Let me quickly remind the Congregation that today’s ceremony for our late Archbishop is one of many, lined up for the anniversary.
4. Already last week, the Archdiocese offered a Sacrifice of the Mass in thanksgiving to God for his life. The Mass, led by the Vicar General, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu took place in St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja on Saturday 5th of March 2022, the day when Late Archbishop John Aggey would have been 114years old.
5. From a recently published autobiography ‘Nisi Doninus’ of our Vicar General, we not only have tributes but testimonies of one who knew the Archbishop very well. From page 117 to 118, he wrote “Archbishop Aggey was not just my Ordinary. He was the principal promoter of my priestly vocation…. He watched over my vocation like a caring father…..
6. Born John Kwao Amuzu Aggey on the 8th of March 1908, the Archbishop was of Togolese origin. He was a native of Anecho in the Republic of Togo. But he grew up in Lagos. He actually went to ….Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos…..
7. ….After his Seminary Formation, he was ordained priest in 1944…..
8. ….After ordination, he threw himself with uncommon zeal into his priestly
ministry. He was posted from one rural parish to another. He made a reputation for himself as a powerful preacher in both English and Yoruba. He was also fluent in his native Ewe language.
9. Fr. Aggey was parish priest at the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Esure, Ijebu – Imushin in 1957, when he was appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of Lagos. Many people were surprised. He was a rural parish priest, who did not have the benefit of a university education, being raised to the episcopal office. Meanwhile, there were several other priests in the Archdiocese who were highly educated with many university degrees to their names. They were
all by-passed. The Holy Spirit does indeed work in mysterious ways
10. Fr. Aggey’s episcopal ordination took place in August 1957….. Bishop Aggey served diligently as Auxiliary to the Most Rev. Leo Hale Taylor of the Society of African Missions (SMA), Archbishop of Lagos, for eight years…. He
succeeded Taylor as the Archbishop of Lagos in 1965….”
11. Msgr. John on page 143 of his autobiography, recorded that “One morning in late February 1972….” the Archbishop suffered the first stroke and was admitted at Sacred Heart Hospital Abeokuta but later discharged after a few days when he was well enough. On page 144, we read “about a week later, the Archbishop had a second stroke. This time, he was taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he was admitted…….
12. Then, about 2:00am on the 14th of March, a call came to the Cathedral Administrator…” Fr. Colleran “…that the Archbishop had passed away at just 64Years of age”.
13. Of his funeral rites, these are extracts from a press release that:
14. The burial rites of the Late Archbishop J.K.A Aggey attracted more people from all the strata of the Nigerian community and other religious ceremonies performed in Lagos within living memory.
15. The funeral rites which took place in the Holy Cross Cathedral on March 22, 1972 were memorable and a moving tribute to a great Churchman. They were remarkable ceremonies where about 60,000 Christians and non-Christians bid adieu to the first African Archbishop in Nigeria.
16. Tuesday, March 21, was lying in state of the Late Archbishop John K.A. Aggey at St. Patrick’s Idumagbo, Lagos from mid-day to 4p.m.
17. The mortal remains of Aggey were then transferred to the Cathedral where they were lying in state from 5p.m on Tuesday to 5p.m. on Wednesday.
18. There was Christian – “wake-keeping” throughout Tuesday night.
19. Many mourners and sympathizers including the Governor of the Lagos State, Col. Mobolaji Johnson, paid their last respects in the Cathedral before the Requiem which began at 5p.m on Wednesday.
20.The casket containing the corpse of the beloved Archbishop was flooded with florid wreaths of all shapes and forms.
21. The Head of State, General Gowon, sent a giant wreath through Vice-Admiral A. Wey.
22.The Requiem was celebrated by 26 Prelates from Dahomey, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. His Excellency Amelio Poggi, the Apostolic Delegate to Ghana and Nigeria was the Chief Concelebrant.
23.Mrs. Regina Aggey, the sorrowful 99year-old mother of the Late Archbishop
was present at the entire ceremonies.
24.General Gowon, Head of State, was represented by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral A. Wey and Aide-de-Camp, Major Walbe.
25.The Chief of Army, Major-General David Ejoor and the Governor of the Rivers State, A.P. Diete-Spiff participated in the burial rites.
26.The combined choir of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and the Cathedral sang very touching funeral hymns and songs especially the “Dies Irae” and Handel’s “I know my Redeemer Liveth” and “The Trumpet shall
sound”.
27.Five Prelates took part in the religious ceremony called “absolution”. After the singing of the immortal hymn “Libera me, Domine” – “Set me free, Oh Lord”, the Papal Delegate, the Archbishops F. Arinze of Onitsha and Mc
Carthy of Kaduna; the Bishops Dotse of Togo, Dempsey of Sokoto and Patrick Kelly of Benin-City performed the absolution.
28.The corpse of His Grace, Archbishop Aggey was suitably buried in St. Anthony’s Chapel in the Holy Cross Cathedral (i.e here) amidst crying mourners and the Police blowing the last post.
29.The Funeral rites were televised and broadcast live on the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation Network.
30.Msgr. Pedro Martins, the Vicar Capitular and a Military Chaplain is now the Administrator of the Lagos Archdiocese.
31. Many tributes and condolences have been pouring in from all the corners of the earth. Some of them are attached to this press release.
32.On that note, dear people of God, I wish to congratulate the good people and faithful of the Archdiocese of Lagos for the uncommon blessing of having shepherds after the Lord’s heart.
33.Archbishop Aggey was succeeded by His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos who for almost forty years guided and guarded the People of God committed to his care.
34.Likewise, his own successor, our current Archbishop, His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins who this year, come August 4th, will be 10 years in office.
35.Today in the Gospel, Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us what we shall become after our death, provided we live good lives.
36.Like him, we shall be transfigured and live with God for ever.
37.For the past fifty years, we believe that our Late Archbishop Aggey, whom many described as a good man, a great pastor and a forthright servant of God has been with God in glory.
38.May we like him, after our earthly pilgrimage, through the prayers of Our Lady, Mother of God and Mother of the Church see God face to face and live with God forever in Heaven. Amen!
Signed: Msgr. Anthony OBANLA
Lagos Archdiocesan Chancellor
