The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Peter Jadae Nyowheoma, was born into the family of Late. Pa. Raymond Nyowheoma Akpovuroro of Eruemukohwarien, Ughelli North, Local Govt. Area and Late Mrs. Veronica Takibuebue of Urhiephron, Ughelli South Local Govt. Area, both of Delta State on October 9, 1926, as the eldest child among four children.
He had his Primary Education at Catholic Primary School, Ekakpamre and Catholic Central School, Otovwodo between 1934-1941.
Thereafter, he taught as a pupil teacher between 1942-1946. Having received his early educational training in a Catholic Institution, he decided to further his secondary education under the same fold as he answered the call to the Catholic Priesthood by proceeding to St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, in Ibadan, Oyo State in January 1947 till December 1951, when he finished his secondary education.
With the desire to become a Catholic Priest, he proceeded to the Major Seminary of Saint. Paul, then in Benin City and later to Saint Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan between January,1952 and December 1959 where he studied Philosophy and Theology.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Nyowheoma upon completion of his seminary training, was elevated to the office of a subdeacon before becoming a substantive deacon by the late Bishop Joseph Kelly at the Holy Cross Cathedral Benin City, towards the end of 1960 and was ordained priest in January 1, 1961 by Bishop Joseph Kelly of blessed memory at Okpara-Inland.
After his ordination, he began his priestly ministry as a curate at St. Joseph parish Aragba, same year and spent three years in preaching the word of God, wining souls and converting people to Christianity between 1961 till December 1964.
In January, 1965 till September same year, Monsignor Nyowheoma was reassigned a pastoral duties as a curate in Sapele till October 15, 1965 when he went to Rome to further his studies at the Urbanian University, Rome where he bagged a Masters degree in Canon law in July 31, 1970.
Upon his return from Rome, he was assigned to St. Brenda’s Grammar School Bomadi, in the present day Bomadi Diocese as a classroom teacher between December 15, 1970 and August 31, 1971 when he was seconded to the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Seminary, Effurun, as the second Rector to take over from the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Ogbeide of blessed memory who was the first rector on September 1, 1971.
As a rector of the minor seminary, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Nyowheoma work assiduously to putt up several structures and ensure every minor seminarians is thoroughly formed, disciplined and given proper Catholic formation. He brought in his wealth of intellect and standards to see that the minor seminary is posituoned until July 31, 1975 when he was again posted to Holy Trinity Parish Ozoro, to resume as a parish priest and a class room teacher at the famous Notre Dame College Ozoro.
In 1979 due to his commitment and dedication to work, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Peter Nyowheoma was promoted to the post of a vice principal, a position he held till December 1984.
With his excelling and meticulous administrative and educational prowess, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Nyowheoma was posted to Ovu Grammar School in present day Ethiope East Local Government Area as principal on January 1, 1985 till December 31, 1986 when he retired from active teaching profession.
Under his headship as a principal at Ovu Grammar School, many priest enrolled for the West African School Certificate, WASC, as most of them were once his students at the minor seminary.
He was transferred on a pastoral assignment to St. Michael’s Parish DSC, where he pastored between January 17, 1988 till September 25, 1998. During his time as the parish priest, he attracted a lot of development to the parish till it pleased the Bishop to post him to St. Paul’s parish Enerhen, between 1998 and 2008 when he retired from active pastoral service.
Due to his meritorious service to the church and humanity, the younger priest of the diocese, many of whom where given birth to when he was already a priest and also studied under him, deem it fit to celebrate the worthy servant of God and to renew the brotherhood in the priest at intervals whenever it his birthday. Other groups and societies also showered him love as the bishop, Most Rev. John OkeOghene Afareha will visit him and spend time with him
In recognition of his service to the Church, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Peter Jadae Nyowheoma has received several awards to his credit. One of such was from Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, when he sent him his Apostolic Blessings.
In 2013, the Missionary Society of St. Paul, MSP, presented him an award of the most generous priest for his contributions to the formation of seminarians. In 2014, the Catholic Diocese of Warri gave him an award of the oldest surviving priest in the Diocese.
He also bagged an award of excellence from the Urhobo National Central Community of Nigeria as the oldest Urhobo Catholic priest. While the Messenger of Peace, the official monthly magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, also presented him an award of an outstanding, dedication and commitment to service and, a life time award he received from the Urhobo Historical Society in 2014 among others.
To the glory of God, Rt. Rev. Monsignor. Peter Jadae Nyowheoma spent 60 years in the priesthood. We thank God for him and pray for the repose of his priestly soul.
He died at the ripe age of 95.
_Compiled by Godwin-Maria Utuedoye, A Journalist, and CAMPAN President, Catholic Diocese of Warri_