Dr Onunkwo honoured with St. Thomas More Award by Archbishop Adewale Martins

Renowned Medical Doctor, Dr. Callistus Chukwuemeka Onunkwo, was among the 126 lucky members of the Lagos Archdiocese who were honoured with St. Thomas More’s Award by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Rev. (Dr) Alfred Adewale Martins.

At a well-attended High Mass which took place at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos Island, Lagos, on September 23, 2023, Dr Onunkwo was recognized for his exceptional, inexhaustible and uncountable contributions toward the growth and development of the Catholic Church.

This year’s St. Thomas More Award was the maiden edition and promised to be dedicated in recognition of those who serve God and develop the Archdiocese with their time, talent and treasure.  

Speaking to the media, Dr. Onunkwo spoke on how he felt being recognized by the Archbishop “I feel so elated, you know when you do something, you don't even know people recognize what you are doing; you do it just for God; you are happy to do it. Sincerely, it is still a shock to me, but I thank God and I thank the church that deemed it fit to recognize us.”

Dr. Onunkwo also spoke on some of the things he has done for the church, too numerous to mention but he was able to disclose a few. "There have been so many things I have done, from one church to the other. I was the 1^st Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at St. Gerald's Catholic Church, Shobiyi, Gbagada, Lagos State, for six years, and I also saw to the building of the church from the foundation to the dedication of the church. In fact, I chaired the dedication committee of the church when it was commissioned.

“And I have been working for the church in the area of my field which is health. I am a doctor to priests, I am a doctor to some religious people, and I am a member of the Diocesan Health Advisory Board and also I am involved in Family and Human Life Unit of the church, Maryland Deanery specifically. I am also a Knight of St Mulumba where I have been a Physician for about an average of 12 years, so there are so many things I cannot remember now, but that is just how it is.”

He said that the honour done him by the church is an encouragement to do more, and if God keeps him alive and healthy he will definitely do more and surpass whatever he has done. "If God keeps me alive, keeping me healthy, I am going to surpass whatever I have done.

“I also hope that at the end of this race, the way I am recognized today, that God will also continue like that in heaven, and that is what I pray for everyone who is working for the church whether you are recognized today or not. If you are not recognized here, God recognises you once you are working for Him,” Onunkwo stated.