The Hekima University College (HUC) community gathered in a vibrant display of faith and gratitude on the Wednesday of January to honor Rev. Sr. Dr. Mary Wambua Nzilani who officially celebrated 25 years of religious life on January 1, 2026. The HUC celebrations, marked by a Eucharistic celebration and heartfelt tributes, recognized Sr. Nzilani’s dedicated service to the Church, the Sisters of Mary, Mother of God, and her impactful seven-year tenure at Hekima.
A Montfort Missionaries First-Year Jesuit School of Theology Student Anthony Esamuriat, SMM, expressing the collective gratitude of the students, described Sr. Nzilani’s vocation as a “precious gift” defined by selfless work and compassion.
“Through your life of prayer, commitment, personal sacrifice, and compassion, you have touched many lives and been a true witness of God’s love,” Esamuriat stated, highlighting the profound influence the jubilarian has had on the Hekima family.
In her address, Sr. Dr. Nzilani reflected on her two-and-a-half decades of service with deep humility, describing the milestone as a “story of grace.” She emphasized the intrinsic link between her religious vocation and her academic mission at Hekima.
“Religious life and academic services share a common mission: the pursuit of truth, the formation of minds and hearts, and the service of humanity,” she said. Addressing her students, past and present, she noted that education is a “sacred responsibility” and thanked them for the privilege of walking alongside them in their journey of growth.
HUC Principal Rev. Dr. Marcel Uwineza, SJ, offered a powerful reflection on the significance of the jubilee, noting that such milestones are essential to the university’s health. He praised Sr. Nzilani for her seven years of service at Hekima, jokingly noting that the college might know her even better than her own congregation does.
“A jubilee creates a sacred space to remember with gratitude,” Fr. Uwineza remarked. “It resists institutional amnesia by recalling the sacrifices and graces that made the journey possible. Gratitude is not nostalgia; it is truth-telling.”
The Principal concluded by urging the faculty to follow Sr. Nzilani’s example in forming students who are not only intelligent but also prudent, quoting the Bishop of Nsukka: “Intelligence without prudence is a recipe for disaster.”
The event concluded with the presentation of a gift from the School of Theology, delivered by the Dean, Rev. Dr. Stephen Eyeowa, SJ, as a token of the college’s appreciation for Sr. Nzilani’s enduring commitment to excellence and faith.
By Pamela Adinda, HUC Communications and International Office Department
