Sometime in 2024, Ralph Ozoude, my friend for decades, a humble, deeply religious Catholic, and a former CEO of UPS Nigeria, requested me to speak at the 5th Couples Conference of Upper Room Ministries, Enugu. I told him that it was one year thenceforth and that it was difficult to know what would be happening by then but that I would be available, all things being equal. But all things are never equal because new and diverse things happen every day. For instance, we are now dancing ‘gwo-gwo-gwon-gwo’ under the Trump Effect, and it takes two days to travel from Lagos to Enugu due to the wonderful conditions of the road. Sometime in September, Ralph affirmed that the programme would hold on 8/11/25, and a few days later, Very Revd Fr Anthony Nnaji, the Spiritual Director of the Ministry, got in touch and confirmed the details with me.
On 7/11/25, I arrived at MM2 early enough for the 4.40 pm flight by XeJet. However, at the boarding point, I saw people brandishing Enugu Air documents, and that was how I learnt that XeJet operated Enugu Air. The flight took off about 1 hour later. The plane was pleasant to behold in its glittering Nigerian colours. I nearly did ‘aluta’ inside the plane when the hostess was reeling out the NCAA regulations on smoking and phones but ignored the delay. Were there no NCAA regulations about timely take-off? Anyway, the captain later apologised for the ‘slight delay’. It was a smooth flight and I was picked up by the spiritual director himself, a simple and humble fellow.
The following morning, I woke up early, observed my usual morning routines and took a one-hour walk around the expansive compound. I marvelled at the clean and serene 40-hectare Emmanuel Village, its farms, hostel, one-man suites, clinic, conference centre, orchards and all-season fruits. Trees were standing at attention and swaying in salute all over the place while a stream ‘inhabited’ by natural, clean water was flowing from where to where I didn’t know. There was a factory producing herbal medications and bottled and sachet water, all marketed by the Upper Room RichDad Company Ltd, where I purchased Moringa tea.
“Actually, money matters are always time bombs, especially as regards whether it is ‘my money or our money’, sharing of responsibilities, optimising the family income, which hardly covers the expenses and the new trend of’ househusbands’.”
I asked Father how he managed the large self-sustaining complex, and he explained that they had 48 full-time employees, 8 management staff and one other priest. The Emmanuel Village is a town of its own, with its rules and regulations. It was calm, cool and conducive to spiritual renewal. No wonder I slept like a breastfed babe the previous night. It reminded me of the St John Paul II retreat centre at Obuase, Ghana, and the Songhai Complex in Port-Novo. I may be tempted to pay a private visit to the village.
The Couples conference, themed on Financial Literacy, went on smoothly, with 38 couples in attendance. This BATified economy has reduced attendance because even the transport fare from Enugu to Upper Room is no longer within the reach of many. Only two couples had joint accounts and many of the participants were not ready to think about it. Indeed, to the question on a joint account, one lady responded No and Never! Actually, money matters are always time bombs, especially as regards whether it is ‘my money or our money’, sharing of responsibilities, optimising the family income, which hardly covers the expenses and the new trend of’ househusbands’.
I returned with the same XeJetEnuguAir, and I had two pleasant experiences. When I told the staff that I wasn’t strong enough for the boarding queue, they offered me a seat and processed the pass while I waited. Within the plane, I requested a cup of Lipton, and I obliged, even though it had to be hidden so that others did not start requesting whatever. I felt satisfied and with their pocket-friendly fare, they may see me again. Started by Very Revd. Fr Stephen U Njoku at Uwani Enugu around 1983, it moved to Emmanuel Village, Uguome Nike, via Emene in 1993. The current Spiritual Director, Fr. Nnaji took over after Njoku passed on. The complex has as its neighbours Goodluck Jonathan Central Market (In one obscure GFA near Emene, near Enugu!), Caritas University and Godfrey Okoye University. GFA? Government Forsaken Area!
The Upper Room was where Jesus had the last supper with his disciples, where they hid after the ascension of the Lord and where they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13-14; 2:14). I am glad that, just like the disciples, I have had the Upper Room experience.
Ik Muo, PhD. Dept. of Business Admin, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. 0803026625
