Monsignor Professor Francis Obiora Ike, a prodigious intellectual, is a man of many parts. He is a theologian, a political philosopher, a professor of social ethics, a champion of human rights, a development economist, a mass communicator, an essayist, as well as a linguist.

Obiora Ike, who became a professor at the age of 37 years, was also one of the youngest Roman Catholic clerics in the world to be elevated to the status of Papal Chamberlain (a monsignor).

A scholar of no mean repute, Professor Obiora Ike has distinguished himself in several areas of a academic learning. He is a member of the European Academy of Science and Arts as well as New York Academy of Science and Arts.

Prof Ike is verse in several languages. He speaks fluent Hausa,, French, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek An orator and eloquent speaker. Monsignor Professor Obiora Ike is published in over 100 academic journals in five languages.

Francis Obiora Ike who hails from Umana Ndiagu in Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State, began his earthly journey on April 7, 1956. He was born in Gusua, in the present Kebbi State.

Monsignor Obiora Ike studied and trained as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in several institutions across the globe. He
was ordained on July 4, 1981. He taught in many universities both in Nigeria and Europe.

Between 1998 and 2003, Monsignor Obiora Ike served as Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, which made him the second most ranking priest in the diocese, after the diocesan bishop.

At a relatively young age of 20 in 1986, Obiora Ike founded and established the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), which has significantly impacted on the lives of millions of people and transformed the broad spectrum of society

Under the able leadership of Prof Obiora Ike, CIDJAP has engineered and championed a wide range of development innovations in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, human rights advocacy; entrepreneurial ventures, farming and agricultural production, housing, among others.

The Umuchenemere Micro-Finance Bank, one of the flagships of the CIDJAP venture, has helped to grow many business organisations and also gave succour to million people in dire in need of assistance.

Looking back at 50 years of the existence of CIDJAP, Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike has everything to be proud about the initiative. The project has helped to transform the business, economic and social environment of several people in society.

Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike is a global citizen. His tentacles are spread all over the world. He has immeasurably contributed to the social, political and economic development of not just Enugu State, Nigeria, but also the world at large.

Prof Obiora Ike has severally participated or chaired Enugu State Economic Summit. He was also the leader of South East delegation to the 2014 National Constitutional Conference. held in Abuja.

Prof Obiora Ike has attended several international conferences and seminars, either as consultor, or lead participant. He was the Director of the United Nations Geneva-based Global Ethics, in Switsland.,

We honour and celebrate Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike as he attains the biblical age of three-score and ten.years, We celebrate this rare gift to humanity. Obiara Ike is a colossus. He is an all-rounder,. He shines like a comet that appears in a blue in moon.

May the Almighty God continue to shower his blesses on Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike, guide and preserve him in good health.