Daniel UGWO

The media chats leading to the 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary of the Parish Priest of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife; Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Oluseyi Adeyemi took place Sunday 20 July 2025. The discussion featured prominent members of the Catholic Communications and parishioners of Lagere, including representatives from various Catholic parishes.

Fr. Peter shared his personal journey, from his early life and education to the moment he felt called to the priesthood. Born on 8th of August 1969 in Modakeke, he attended St Martin’s Catholic Primary School between 1975 and 1981 and Community High School, Akriboto, Gbongan, Osun State. He wrote his WAEC in 1986 and got admitted into Oduduwa College in 1987 for Higher School Certificate (HSC).

He had initially aspired to join the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) or become a lawyer – no wonder his smile is inelastic. Despite several attempts, he did not succeed in gaining admission to the NDA. “Where Is A Seminarian From Your Own Hometown” was the inscription he read in a poster containing pictures of seminarians which influenced a turning point in his vocation, since there was none in the poster from his hometown.  His persistent reflection and encounters led him to enter the Seminary in 1991, beginning his lifelong commitment to the Catholic ministry.

Throughout his upbringing, Fr. Peter was deeply rooted in Catholicism, influenced especially by his uncle, who ensured the baptism and religious upbringing of his family members. The narrative highlights the intersection of personal ambition, faith, and community influence in shaping Fr. Peter’s path to priesthood.

In the interview, having aligned with Priestly-Vocation-Boom in Nigeria, he disbelieves the notion that vocation boom was as a result of financial difficultly or joblessness faced by people before choosing priestly vocation. According to him, “the Church in Nigeria, the future is very bright, we have people embracing the vocation to priesthood and religious life and it is a moment of grace for us in Nigeria.

Sometimes in the 90s when the vocation boom began, some ecclesiastical personalities were getting worried that people were embracing the priesthood because of economic reasons.” This influenced his article in the Guardian newspaper where he argued that at the time of priestly vocation boom in Europe and America, leading to evangelization to African, it was not Economic factors that influenced their decision. Now that Nigeria Catholic is experiencing vocation boom, he discouraged linking it to poverty and lack of jobs, else, it undermines God who has made it possible.

Considering it as a moment of grace, he noted that a time will come when there would be less people applying into the priesthood vocation in Nigeria - recalling that lay people run the Church these days in some Western world. Just as the Western Priests evangelized earlier in Africa, he noted that there are Nigerian Priests ministering all over the world today, hence a bright future for Nigeria Catholic Church.

Fr. Adeyemi encouraged young Priests to be focused on the ministry, they should learn to delay gratification, they must be deeply rooted in Christ who has called them, intimate with Christ in Prayer, maintain respectable and socially acceptable relationship with Parishioners. In addition, they must cultivate emotional maturity, good self-esteem, social intelligence and pastoral vitality without thinking of what they can gain from the ministry, rather what they can contribute to the Ministry.

The clergy man is neither afraid nor bothered about his retirement, knowing that the Church administration and the people of God already have excellent structures in place to cater for such, while citing several examples. The celebrant rarely goes on annual leave since his assumption of office, five years counting; he worries on taking absolute responsibility of the enormous task of administering SS Peter & Paul, Lagere – the largest in the Diocese in all ramification.

Like a master of all, Fr. Adeyemi is always on standby to get involved should there be lapses on the path of individuals saddled with responsibilities. He had been noticed opening the Church’s gates, doors and windows, setting the sanctuary, powering the generator and handpicking the surroundings; these qualities he transferred to more serious responsibilities. That is why many wondered if he ever falls sick aside malaria.

Ironically, Lagere-Parish-Mosquitoes are as huge as human. However, since the past 25 years, he has never been admitted in the hospital for health challenge.  Teaching Dogmatic Theology in the Seminary as a Lecturer, Fr. Adeyemi is a core traditional Catholic, believing in grassroots outreach which influences his evangelization style.

Since he assumed office at Lagere, new St. Patrick Church was completely erected at Parakin, St. Bartholomew started in Oke-Ogbo, Mass centre began at the Navy Barracks in Kosere. All within Ile-Ife, without counting existing outstations.  The biggest so far in terms of financial implication is the construction of 40 rooms “House of Gold Shopping Mall” which has cost the Parish over 120 million Naira – having the capacity of 20 million Naira return of investment each year – all within 5 years.

Confronted by Parish accident which claimed lives of six Parishioners, including a Priest in a deadly accident that absolutely wrecked the Parish Bus, about same time he got transferred to the Parish, got him devastated, sad and heartbroken despite his premonition before the sad occurrence. While he was dying in silence at that moment, he couldn’t afford to show sign of physical breakdown, knowing that the parishioners look up to him for spiritual support in that circumstance. He was a bit apprehensive when he got the posting letter to Lagere. He had noticed that Lagere Parish, who does not settle for less, is full of enlightened personalities, hence the enormous responsibilities. He however considered the Parish as the best place to be without recording any regret so far, but rather surprised by the overwhelming support received from members.

In his opinion, any Priest posted to administer Lagere has reached the peak of his career, he no longer has higher responsibilities after departing, but lower ones in terms of Parish administration. One of the questions that was missed out at the interview due to lack of time despite spending about 1.5hours is whether he likes pounded-Cocoyam or prefer it in Yam form. 

 

Links to some interview recording below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19Aa85HeB3/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ZRfUSSx3I

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HXHNaKx1E/

https://youtu.be/StH6BgESP-I?si=MpcQeT5gDrFb-0zo