Michael became the first Nigerian or indeed West African to be beatified a Saint. Ordained a priest in 1937 he was a brilliant preacher and a great community leader. He died in England in 1964 and when his remains were brought back to Nigeria a remarkable cure of an apparently terminally ill woman was attributed to his intersession. He was beatified a saint in 1998. At his beatification the message was clear, ‘Saints are orindary men and women from your own villages’.
Today is his feast day and we ask his many blessings on us today. Amen