A True Life Story, hence laying credence for the Canonization of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi.

Michael Iwene Tansi Image Source

I bought a Primera Wagon Car on December 16, 2013 at the popular Berger Car Sales Depot. The following month Pette Edochie the popular Nollywood actor came to my Church (Parish) in the course of the promotion of his Documentary on the life, times and Missionary work of Blessed Michael Tansi at Mount Saint Bernard, Leicester in England, as well as selling of Sacramental materials and other religious articles.

I purchased a Broch with embossed picture of Blessed Tansi after it was prayed over by the Chaplain. I used super glue to place it on the dash board of the car, travelled to Owerri the following day (Monday). At about 1.00 am, car thieves emerged with a master key to steal the vehicle. They were accosted by night guards, one of who war running a cafeteria in the premises.. An argument ensured while they were struggling to open and drive away with the vehicle. One of these security guards walked fast to other vigilante operatives at a nearby road intersection, waved to a team of Police Officers on night patrol. These Policemen responded promptly by arresting them.

During interrogation, the two of them confessed that they actually came to steal the car, but got confused while in action. According to one of them, the engine of that brand of vehicle, along side that of Camry were hot Cake for Belgium spare parts dealers. It was according them used for flying boat out board engines. Their customers they went in, usually came to purchase them from the neighboring Riverine states and communities. And they had been long in this unwholesome practice. Accordingly, they were charged to court and prosecuted, even, if only to serve as a deterant to others.

About three months after this particular incident, I had to attend a meeting in Umuahia of Media workers. So while driving along the ever busy ABA Road, near the old Abia Tower at the City Centre, from no where in particular two tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke blocked my vehicle in their effort to beat the traffic light. I had to apply the break momentarily to avoid crushing them. At this point, two traffic Police Officers emerged from the blues, pounced on me. On grabbed my car key, locked the ignition, while the other held me on my shirt. I asked them if in all honesty they actually witnessed what transpired there. They got better the more. They demanded gratification from me for them to set me free. I protested and all my appeals fell in deaf ears. They eventually dragged me to the State Police Headquarters, Traffic Division, Bendel Road Umuahia.

I took time to explain to their boss what happened. He walked down to the parking lot where my vehicle was parked, took a look at the Broch of Blessed Tansi, kept starring at it after which he began to reprimand his field officers for arresting, harassing and dragging a Catholic Priest to the Police station. I pointedly told him that I was not the person emboldened thereoff, but Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi, a missionary priest who died in England in 1964 and whose canonization was being promoted with the hope of raising him to the status of a Saint soonest due to his several heroic exploits. The Police Officer could still not believe me. I told him I am a Journalist, Abia State Senior Correspondent of the National News light Newspapers with headquarters in Garki Abuja. I even had a copy of the Newspaper inside the car. I was ready to show him the Column where I featured an article monthly with my picture and phone number respectively.

He confessed that all he could see was my own image and not any other. At this point, I had to restrain myself from further exchanges with him. He grabbed the car key from one of the officers, a Sergeant standing by, handed same to me, saw me off from the Police Headquarters and bared me fare well to my destination. He never requested, nor was given a dime for this patriotic service to his Compatriot. I thanked him profusely and wishing him accelerated promotion as at when due and to, at the end retire honorably.

Therefore, to say that Miracles, Signs and Wonders manifest in diverse ways through the intercession of this Servant of the Most High God was just stating the obvious.