With gratitude and total submission to the will of God, the remains of Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike Ndubuisi who was found dead at his residence-St Martin's De- Porres Catholic Church, Katsina while praying his Rosary in the early hours of Friday, 16th February 2018 were laid to rest on Friday, 23rd February 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima, Gusau.
The Funeral program which commenced with wake-keep and Holy Mass on the Eve of Thursday, 22nd February witnessed Priests, Parishioners, Family, Friends and Sympathizers from different parts of the Country.
The Parish Priest of St Martin's De Porres, Rev. Fr. Dube in his homily during the Mass at the Wake keep said that late Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was a Marian Devotee, praying the rosary until death shows how much love he has for our mother Mary. He further urged the faithful to always be alert for we know not when death will call. He asked the Faithful “when you die, what will you be known for?”
The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah presided over the funeral Mass on Friday, 23rd February 2018 while Rev. Fr. Keke during the homily said that Late Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was a healer in the sacrament of reconciliation, he listens, he counsels and he corrects. “We mourn him today but we believe he has gone to rest with the almighty God”.
BIOGRAPHY
Oh death were is thy sting! Oh death were is thy grave! Oh death were is thy victory!!.
It is well, it is well with my Soul. This were the words of very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike.
Birth and Parentage: Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was born on the 12th December, 1947 to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Ike from Aromuro Autonomous Community in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
Educational Life: Bro. Ike or Papa Ike as he was fondly called by friends and admirers both old and young had his early primary education at St. Martina Catholic School Arondiezogu in Imo State. But for his quest for more educational pursuit he enrolled into the Minor Seminary at St. Joseph Minor Seminary Zaria, Kaduna State. After the completion of this Minor Seminary in 1981 Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was admitted into St. Augustine Major Seminary in Jos and graduate in the year 1988.
Youthful Life: Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was a very industrious and entrepreneur young man who started trading at an early age in life in Yelwa Yauri Kebbi State. It was at Kebbi State and as a trade that Late Rev. Fr. Peter Otelio and Late Chief Cyprian Ulogu of Birnin Kebbi met him in one of the villages in Yelwa – Yauri Sokoto State, now Kebbit State and encouraged him to being his formative life journey into the Seminary. Late Rev. Fr. Peter Otelio did played an important role in making Rev. Joseph Mary Ike a Priest of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. In the year 1972/1973 the Late Bishop James Demsey approached Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike and Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube to join the 3rd Dominican order in Nigeria. But after a year of moulding, Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube opted out that he wants to become a full flesh Priest and not of the 3rd Dominican order. This led to the Bishop sending Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube to the Minor Seminary in Zaria and Late Fr. Joseph Ike to the Catechical centre in Malumfashi upon they 2 year completion and training in the catechical centre. Young Joseph Ike then decided he wanted to become a
Priest and was sent to St. Joseph Seminary to join bosom his friend and brother Fr. Joseph Dube in form three (3) because of his astute intelligence and dedication to his academics the young seminarian excelled and was ordained a Priest on 13th August, 1988. Under the Sokoto Catholic Diocese.
Pastoral Work: Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was a cover of his faith and holds dearly to his calling/ vocation as a Priest. Little wonder he was been loved and cherished by all who came in contact with him.
Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike had served in various capacity and parishes within the Sokoto Diocese:
Parish Priest: St. Vincent Catholic Church Malufashi, Katsina
Parish Priest: St. Patrick Ilela Sokoto State
Administrator: Holy Family Cathedral Sokoto
Asst. Parish Priest: St. Theresa Funtua, Katsina State.
Parish Priest: St. Theresa Funtua Katsina State.
Diocesan Chaplain: Block Rosary, Legion of Mary and ale Marian Societies.
Associate Parish Priest: St. Martin De-Porres Katsina till his death
Hobbies: Late Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike was a lover of good sport and he showed great dexterity in the game of soccer during his formative years in the Minor and Major Seminary; he loves reading. He likes associating with people irrespective of tribe and language. Late Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike had special love and interest for the care of the Maguzawa’s people. He also loved travelling then as a young priest.
Last Days: Late Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike had a fulfilling period of his last days on earth. Having had a 14 days straight mass of the dead for the members of the knights of St. John International commandery 487 St. Martin De-Porres, Katsina and sharing with the members of St. Benedict Catholic Community the gift of love. Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike gave up the Ghost on the 16th of February, 2018 during his morning Rosary Devotion after saying the evening mass with his parishioners on the 15th of February, 2018.
Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike will be missed by a lot of people within and outside the diocese.
Farewell our brother Priest
Farewell our Hero
Farewell son of Mary
Rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen
