The annual celebration for the integration of freshmen into the Seminary Community, once again took place on Saturday, March 20^th, 2021, in the Seminary’s refectory. This was to welcome the students of the First Year Philosophy Department, as well as those coming in from other Seminaries, to join our great Seminary in her formation process. The event which was long delayed due to the Corona Virus Pandemic and the closure of tertiary institutions, saw the integration of about 47 students (42 in the First Year Philosophy, 5 students from other seminaries, in the First and Second Year Theology, respectively), officially into the life of the Seminary.  

The event started at about 8:10pm, with the opening prayer led by Rev. Okwuokei Vincent, after which the opening remarks were given by the moderator of Students’ affairs, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Adesina, who emphasized that the ceremony induces the new students to the rights, privileges, obligations and responsibilities of being a Seminarian of SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Great Bodija. As a follow-up, the First Prefect, Mr. Benedict Onakpoma, also delivered an address to welcome the new in-takes to the Seminary on behalf of other students. The event also featured the introduction of different societies and social groups in the Seminary to the new students, advice and goodwill messages, and dance by the new in-takes.

In response to the care, brotherhood and love that characterized the celebration, the class prefect of the First Year Philosophy, Mr. Obi Michael, delivered a speech where he expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of his classmates, for the love they have received since they first resumed the Seminary on November, 2020. To mark the end of the event, the closing remarks were given by the Vice Rector, Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele, and the closing prayer was led by Rev. Emmanuel Usifo, thus, bringing the programme to an end, at about 9:30pm.