17/09/2026
A major throwback to one of those funny experiences we had back then in the Major Seminary at STAMS, Makurdi, Benue State. 😂
It was year 2006, and we were just in our second year of Philosophy in the almighty Zion Train. (Only alumni of STAMS will understand what “Zion Train” was and what it represented for us then.) 😉😂
But for the records…
Back then, there was this very long building made up of about 80 rooms, built in the model and form of our regular face-me-I-face-you buildings as we have them today.
The building had the shape of a semi-circle.
Imagine a compound with about 80 rooms, with 40 facing another 40.
That was what we called Zion Train.
It was the hostel for Philosophy students, and we met it that way.
Many of our brother priests, too numerous to mention, were at some point tenants in the almighty Zion Train. 😂
So, we were in our second year of Philosophy and, as usual, after our daily morning Mass, we were assigned to different places for our morning functions.
Some were assigned to the refectory, others to the chapel, while others were assigned to the restrooms and different parts of the compound.
That particular year, my classmate, now Fr Johnson Johnson Igoh and I were assigned to a spot where supervisors hardly ever came.
Initially, we were diligent and committed.
We went to do our morning function every day.
But with time, I started doing one day on, one day off.
Gradually, one day off became two.
Two became three.
Three became four…
And before I knew it, four became five, six…
Until I simply stopped going. 😂
Well I’m not proud of it😉😉😂😂😂
My brother Johnson soon followed suit, especially after observing that Ben had successfully stopped coming altogether and nothing had happened to him. 😂
So, after morning Mass, instead of going to do our assigned duties, we would simply return to the hostel and make our famous Tom Brown.
Tom Brown…
That stuff was a life saver.
That and garri.
Tom brown was a life-saver when there’s light to boil water and make it.
Garry was all-weather😂
So, it happened that one day, Johnson and I were having our usual morning Tom Brown ritual in reckless abandon and without the slightest remorse, when the Auxiliary… our student leader… walked in on us.
His name was Auxi Ignatius Him… now Fr Ignatius Him.
You know what it means to be caught red-handed?
You need to come, learn from us. 😂😂
He walked in, saw us, smiled, sat down on a chair and asked: “Ben and Johnson, how far?”
We replied: “Fine, Auxi.”
Still smiling.
You know that smile you give when you know you’ve been caught and you’re already expecting punishment? 😂
He continued, still smiling: “Are you people making Tom Brown?”
We quickly replied: “Yes, Auxi.”
Still with our shaky smiles. 😂
In my mind, I was already thinking that We are definitely going in for this.😉😉😂
But Bro left us there hanging with our shaky smiles.
As he walked away, he simply said: “You guys should enjoy and have fun.” 😉
Have fun???
That was definitely a warning! 😂😂
And that was the turning point for Johnson and me.
Nobody needed to tell us to go and do our morning function the next day.
We simply advised ourselves.
Dem no dey tell blind man say rain dey fall. 😂😂🙂
Looking back now, that experience did something else for me.
It eventually endeared me to the Auxiliary, who is now Fr Ignatius Him.
He didn’t need to shout at us or embarrass us.
He explored other strategies to correct us, guide us and bring us back to the right path.
And that, for me, is part of what formation is about.
Years later, I can look back with holy nostalgia and laugh at our actions back then as occupants of the almighty Zion Train🙂
But I can also appreciate the people who patiently helped shape us into the men and priests we eventually became.
So, this is an appreciation post to all our formators who formed us in the seminary, and to the student leaders who, in their own little ways, made genuine efforts to guide us and help us become who we are today.
To all of you who corrected us, challenged us, encouraged us, tolerated us and sometimes simply allowed us to “enjoy and have fun” until we got the message… 😂🤣🤣
May God continue to bless you all and reward your sacrifices.
Amen. 🙏🏽
And to my partner-in-crime, Fr Johnson Igoh…
😂😂😂
I love you brother❤️😂
FadaBen.
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Kanshio-Makurdi
