Thank you Okoman for your dedication and sacrifices in making us to be better persons. You didn't teach us with words of the mouth alone but you practically demonstrated these life hacks and that's why it sticked forever. We grew up in the hostel watching you for good six years preaching and demonstrating these life routines for greatnes till it finally became part of us. Ladoore jikpa ataa. May God grant your soul eternal rest
Thank you for your impact in our lifes which we are already transferring to our own children.
Quotes I remember from Okoman include.
1. Ichuyima ego, chuma mmadu
2. By their fruits, we shall know them.
3. The 3 Cs of success...Commitment, Consistency and Convinction.
4. It's either you are or you are not, no two ways about it.
5. Ife kwuru, ife akwudebe ya
6. To whom much is given, much is expected, etc.

Written by
Ugwu Odinakachukwu
(NakaExchange)
Enugu, Nigeria.

Fr. Johnmartins is a household name in Nsukka, Enugu and all of its environs. Notably for his zero tolerance to indiscipline. Fr. Have built strong characters and raised men of great qualities. May God Almighty reward his good deeds. Rest in power Legend and a Saint.

A Tribute to a Great Principal. The Lion of St. Theresa College, Nsukka

At St. Theresa College Nsukka, there once stood a man whose presence commanded respect before he ever uttered a word. Tall, broad, and fearless, he was more than a principal he was a force of nature. His name "Okoman" struck both awe and admiration in the hearts of students.

He was a rare blend of role model and disciplinarian, the kind of leader who didn’t just run a school, but moulded boys into men. His courage was unmatched; he faced challenges and sometimes stubborn students head-on, never flinching. His discipline was firm, his standards high, his love for our growth unwavering.

And then there was ekwensu ra’m aka the legendary cane. It was not a tool of cruelty, but a symbol of justice, a reminder that wrong actions had consequences, and that greatness demanded responsibility. Under his watchful eyes and guided by his steady hand, we learned that discipline is not punishment, but preparation.

Because of him, many of us now thrive in various fields leaders, fathers, professionals, and pillars in our communities. He built more than academic excellence; he forged character, resilience, and courage.

To our principal, our mentor, our lion I honour you. Your legacy lives on in the lives you touched and the men you shaped. May history never forget the fearless man who turned boys into men and a school into a home of greatness.

Rev.Fr. John Martin Chikani, a priest of high moral standard and intellect. Your tenure as the principal of Saint Theresa's College was marked with excellence and examplary life. Your presence alone brought discipline without uttering a word that is who you were. The words you say still resonate around my head that "God is the principal of this college". Fr. Chikani, you make boys pass through furnace, with your special artistic touch, men were formed into being disciplined and proud members of the society, men are standing tall today because of you,you turned boy into men, ị bụ oga ndị oga. I will forever be grateful to have passed through you and you passed through me in this life.You deserve to come back to life again to continue from where you stopped, a nation builder. Saint Theresa's College alumni,Nsukka and beyond will never forget having a rare gem like you. Rest in peace ụkọchukwu

Very Rev. Fr. Dr. John Martin Chukwuemeka Chikani is my Headmaster since according to him, God is the Principal our Alma Mater Saint Teresa's College Nsukka. He is my Teacher, my role model, A tough disciplinarian but a softhearted listening father. It was him I looked upon to retain my resolve to become a Rev. Fr., when my initial decision for the Catholic Priesthood was being challenged in my mind by the thoughts of being a Medical Doctor.

In my confusion I went to Fr. JM one afternoon after school in front of his office as he was about to enter his White Mercedes to go home. He invited me into his car, I sat with him and talked heart to heart. He cleared my doubts and told me that if God has destined me for the Priesthood, I will surely be one. He told me to focus on my studies and keep being a good boy, that after my Senior WAEC, the road to the Priesthood will show me itself. I will never forget how fulfilled I felt that afternoon. I went home feeling like I was already a Priest. He is a very tall and strong pillar of human formation especially the young people

With heavy hearts filled with grief, we gather today to pay our last respects to our Headmaster—he never liked being called “Principal,” because he always reminded us that Almighty God is the true Principal of St. Teresa’s College. He was more than a headmaster; he was a father, a mentor, and an astute leader who equipped us with everything we needed to succeed in life.

Back in our school days, when we were still young men searching for our paths, he stood before us like a lighthouse on the shore - steady, patient, and full of light. His discipline shaped us, his counsel corrected us, and his laughter reminded us that even in strictness, there was love. He taught us not just to pass exams, but to pass through life with faith, dignity, and courage.

Our set was particularly dear to him, and he planted many innovations in us. We were among the first, if not the very first, to write the entrance exam specifically for St. Teresa’s College in addition to the state common entrance. We began as 10 classes of 40 students in JSS1, but after the Junior WAEC, we were pruned down to just two and a half classes. The filtering continued in SS2, where only those with credits in English and Mathematics were permitted into SS3. These strategies, though tough, were his way of ensuring we became men of integrity, equipped for the challenges of life. Today, we stand as beneficiaries of his foresight and firmness.

As a Catholic priest, he carried the collar not only on his neck but in his heart. He lived what he preached and preached what he lived. Many of us can still recall how his words sank deep into our souls -urging us to believe in God, to respect ourselves, and to wear integrity like a crown.

Now that he has gone to rest with the Lord, we feel the ache of his absence, yet we also feel the warmth of his legacy. He planted seeds in us, and today, as men, husbands, fathers, and leaders, we are the fruit of his labor. His spirit still walks with us - in our choices, in our resilience, and in the faith he ignited within us. We console ourselves with the Christian truth that life is changed, not ended: Vita mutatur, non tollitur.

To our dear father, mentor, and headmaster, we say: Thank you-for believing in us when we were just boys with dreams. Thank you -for correcting us when we strayed. Thank you - for loving us like your own sons.

Though you are no longer with us in body, your voice still whispers in our hearts, your example still guides our steps, and your prayers still shield us from above. As we wait in hope for the day we shall once again feel your tenderness, warmth, and undiluted love, we, the Class of 2004, say: Rest well in the bosom of the Lord.

And we echo one of his favorite sayings: Que sera, sera!- whatever will be, will be.

He told us "To be or not be is always the question" and That "It is either you are or you are not! No two ways about". Good bye Okoman

A Heartfelt Tribute to Rev. Fr. Dr. Johnmartins Chikani: A Legacy of Discipline and Inspiration

My final, cherished memory of you, dear Fr. Johnmartins Chikani, was on December 29, 2023, when my set visited you before our annual reunion. That moment remains etched in my heart—a beautiful reunion filled with warmth, laughter, and your timeless wisdom. We sang, danced, and listened as you, with your unwavering conviction, urged us to be exemplars of integrity and excellence. Little did I know that would be our last time together.
Your passing on August 12, 2025, has left me heartbroken, yet I find solace in the profound impact you had on my life. You were a master refiner, shaping me into the best version of myself, unearthing strengths I never knew I possessed. Through your guidance, you pushed me to go the extra mile, teaching me that only the highest standards truly matter. Your mentorship was extraordinary, a gift that transformed countless lives, including mine.
Though you are no longer with us, your legacy of discipline, moral fortitude, and inspiration endures. I vow to honor you by upholding the values you instilled, never compromising on the principles you lived by.
I love you, Fr. John. Until we meet again, your light continues to shine through all who were blessed to know you. May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Stanislaus Ugwuanyi