BIOGRAPHY OF NSUKKA RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Nsukka has, over the years, produced prominent religious clerics from different denominations. The following are the profile of some of the famous religious clerics from the zone:

MOST REV DR MICHAEL UGWUJA ENEJA

EMERITUS BISHOP OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ENUGU

Born in 1919 in Ibagwa-ani in the Nsukka area of Enugu State Nigeria to pagan parents, Michael Eneja came into existence when Western civilization brought about by the British colonial government was slowly creeping into Igboland. He willingly embraced the new ways, which involved going to school to receive Western education and going to church to become a Christian. This choice was not without troubles and difficulties. Michael came from a traditional priestly family of a very popular and powerful deity called Abodo Owerri.

His immediate father was the chief priest of this deity, and Michael (Ugwuja) was a possible candidate who, by divination, could succeed him. So, disappointed and angered by what was perceived as treachery, his parents ostracized him and sent him away from the family house. Thus, at a very tender age, Michael already began to manifest heroic faith, enduring persecutions from his loved ones and refusing to conform to a tradition he disdained. He was unwavering in the face of ostracism and took temporary refuge in the home of Maria Asogwa, a Christian convert at the time but was later recalled to the family by his parents, who were not ready to lose him completely.

He started elementary school in 1928 at the age of 9 in his hometown, Ibagwa-ani, and completed his Standard Six at Eke in 1937. Shortly afterwards, Michael was employed as a Pupil Teacher in Eke Parish in 1938. Within one year, he was able to teach as needs arose in three stations—Umulumgbe, Okpatu, and Egede. In 1939, he entered the Junior Seminary, which was then in Christ the King College Onitsha, and successfully did his Senior Cambridge Certificate Examination in 1942. Thus began his journey to the priesthood.

As a seminarian, Michael distinguished himself as a pious and law-abiding student. His burning desire to be a priest never diminished throughout his seminary days. The only passion he had in the world was to be a priest. Between 1943 and 1944, Michael Eneja served as a teacher at the College of Immaculate Conception C.I.C., Enugu, and after that proceeded to the Major Seminary at Okpala in 1945. 

Michael Eneja was in his final year of Theology when St. Paul’s Major Seminary was transferred to Enugu in 1951, making him one of the pioneers of what was to later become Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. On 29th July 1951, he was ordained a priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Onitsha, by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Heerey, C.S.Sp., thus becoming the first man in the old Nsukka Division to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood.

After serving as a curate in various parishes from 1952 to 1955, he was appointed as the pioneer parish priest of the newly-established parish at Iva Valley. In addition to administering that vast mission territory effectively, it was also credited to him to have constructed the present Iva-Valley Primary School. After that, he was sent to Rome to do a diploma course in Spiritual and Social Development.

When Fr. Godfrey Okoye was appointed Bishop of Port Harcourt in 1961, Fr. Michael Eneja was chosen to replace him as Rector of All Hallows Seminary Onitsha. In 1965, he became the parish priest of Immaculate Heart Parish, Fegge-Onitsha. He left Fegge at the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war and the consequent evacuation of Onitsha in 1967. With the end of the war in 1970, Msgr. Michael Eneja came back to Fegge, but after a short stay, he was appointed Spiritual Director of Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, where he also taught Spiritual and Ascetical Theology.

He left Bigard in 1976 for Sabbatical leave. He later was posted to Christ the King Parish Onitsha, where he worked until his election and consequent installation as the third bishop of Enugu on the 26th of February, 1978.

His administration was characterized by humility and brotherly love, and he maintained an open-door policy throughout his episcopacy. Until his death, his humility overwhelmed those working under him. As Rector, for instance, Michael Eneja would sneak out in the night to fetch water for the everyday use of his fellow priests in the rectory.

Besides his insistence on holiness, especially for his priests, Bishop Eneja also emphasized two other merits that priests must aspire to study and morals. He variously also termed learning and character. Within the Nigerian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Eneja chaired the Commission on the formation and quality training of the Pastoral Agents of Evangelization, namely, the Seminarians and Priests of Nigeria. It is common knowledge that further education for his priests was a primary concern in Eneja’s episcopacy. He sent a lot of his priests for other studies in both national and international universities. His retirement was made public on 8 November 1996, and on 8 February 1997, he officially handed over to his successor, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Okonkwo Gbuji.

Bishop Michael Eneja, even after retirement, remained an active and well-respected Shepherd of his flock. His books and Lenten pastorals indicate his deep spiritual life, and his numerous public addresses and homilies bear witness to his popularity among all levels of society. Groups and individuals, fellow bishops, and government officials flocked to him for advice. He was second to none in his use of Bible verses to buttress his exhortations, teachings, and admonitions.

Bishop Eneja was endowed with good health even during his time as Bishop Emeritus. All the ill-health issues he went through at this time were those that are connected with old age. However, on the Solemnity of All Saints, 1st November 2008, he was admitted to the Niger Foundation Hospital, and two weeks later, on 14th November the same year, he passed on in the Lord.

MOST REV (DR) FRANCIS EMMANUEL OGBONNAYIA OKOBO.

EMERITUS BISHOP OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NSUKKA

Francis Okobo was born on December 4, 1936, to the family of late Ozo Bartholomew Nnabuchi Ugwuja and Lolo Josephine Ugwu Okobo in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.

He was the first male and the first grandchild in a large family even as his grandfather was an old king (Eze-Lejja) who had three sons, pointing out that he was loved by his grandfather whom he “deputized for in most of his (pagan) religious obligations due to old age,” before he decided to become an ordained priest.

Fr. Dr. Francis Emmanuel Ogbonnaya Okobo was elevated in December 1987 to the office of papal chamberlain by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. This honor was conferred on him on 2nd July 1988 by His Lordship Rt. Rev Dr. M. U. Eneja, Bishop of Enugu at Holy Rosary College Ground Enugu, during the Marian Year Celebration. He was made the Pioneer Parish Priest of St. Mary's Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in the same year.

As though that last honor was not enough, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis Emmanuel O. Okobo was by the same Pope, His Holiness John Paul II, on 26th November 1990, named the first Catholic Bishop of the then newly created Diocese of Nsukka and ordained Bishop on Epiphany Sunday, 6th January 1991 in St Peter's Basilica, Rome.

RT REVD ALOYSIUS EZE AGBO

ANGLICAN BISHOP OF NSUKKA

Aloysius Eze Agbo was born on 15th September 1967 into the family of Mr. Odo Nwa Agbo Nwodo (Igwe na ezoro Oha) and Mrs Agnes Agbo Nwodo (Nee Nnamuchi Okwor). He hails from Umunzu clan in Akpani village, Neke in Isi-Uzo L.G. A. of Enugu State.

Aloysius had his primary education at the Community Primary School Neke in Isi-Uzo L.G.A. from 1975-1981. He did his secondary Education at Community Secondary school, Imilike Agu, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State from 1981- 1986. He got his National diploma in Computer Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu in 1996. 

He was admitted into Trinity Theological College Umuahia in 1996, where he obtained a Diploma in Theology (Dip. Theo) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) in Religion in 2000. Aloysius Eze Agbo went for Missionary Training in Dec. 2007 at the Nigerian Intercultural College of Mission Ibadan (Bethany International University, Singapore). He obtained his Post Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies (PGDIS). In 2008 he had his Master's Degree (M.A) in Religion from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Aloysius Eze Agbo was made a deacon on Sunday 9th July 2000 and ordained a priest on 13th July 2001. On 5th March 2006, he collated a Canon; collated, instituted, and installed as the Archdeacon of Enugu-Ezike Missionary Archdeaconry on Sunday 6th April 2008.

Aloysius Eze Agbo was elected the bishop of Nsukka Diocese on March 26, 2008, to succeed the pioneer Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jonah C. ILonuba (JP), at the standing committee of the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), held at the Diocesan Church Centre (DCC) Nnewi. On 14th May 2008, he was consecrated at the Cathedral church of St. James the great, Oke Bola, Ibadan, and enthroned on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Nsukka.

On Friday 26th May 2006, Aloysius was appointed as Justice of Peace (JP) by the Chief Judge of Enugu State. He coordinated the Mission Partners in the Diocese, which also reached Idah Diocese too. Until he was elected a bishop, he was the coordinator of the Nsukka Diocesan Clergy Monthly Prayer Retreat and Prayer Chaplain. Rt. Rev. Aloysius Eze Agbo (JP) is happily married to Mrs. Ifeoma Agbo (JP) with two children, Gift and Marvelous.

REVD. PROF PAUL EMEKA

FORMER SUPERINTENDENT GENERAL, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, NIGERIA

Prof Paul Emeka is a well-known bible teacher, mission director, and Church leader. He was born in Okpuje in Nsukka Local government of Enugu State.

He attended the Assemblies of God Divinity School Umuahia, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Theology. He proceeded to the University of Jos, where he obtained his Master's in 1993. He later received two Doctorate degrees from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2002 and from the Christian University USA in 2004.

He held six leading parishes after his ordination. He was a lecturer at the Assemblies of God Seminary, where he rose to become the chairman of the council of the Seminary. Paul was a one-time member of the Evangel University Jos's governing board and held the position of the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter.

He is the Immediate past Superintendent General of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, the Highest position in the Church.

He is happily married with children

MOST REV (PROF) GODFREY ONAH

CATHOLIC BISHOP OF NSUKKA DIOCESE

Born in Imilike-Ani, in the present-day Udenu Local government Area of Enugu State, he coursed through primary school with relative ease, graduating with A distinction in the First School Certificate Examinations in 1970 from the Local Authority (L.A) School, Imilike-Ani (now Community Primary School) - where he started, only to be interrupted by the Nigerian civil war (1967-1970), - and St Paul's School Mbanator (now Udunedem Community Primary School) - where he finished up and took his final exams.

He studied philosophy at the Philosophy Campus of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot Ekpene (now St Joseph Major Seminary) from 1976 to 1980 and theology at the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, in Southeastern Nigeria. He obtained a bachelor's degree in both disciplines and, in both instances, graduated in First Class honors (Summa cum laude probatus). He served as editor-in-chief of The Fountain (1978/79) and The Torch (1982/83) magazines. Godfrey was ordained to the priesthood on 28 July 1984 by the late Bishop Michael U. Eneja at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu, Nigeria. Upon creating the Diocese of Nsukka out of Enugu in November 1990, he was incardinated into the new diocese.

In 1988, Fr. Godfrey enrolled at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, for postgraduate studies in philosophy. Majoring in philosophical anthropology, he explored the relationship between meaning and healing in Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy for his licentiate, which he completed yet again in Summa Cum Laude in 1990. He would study the complex nature of the human spirit through his doctoral thesis titled, "Self-Transcendence and Human History in Wolfhart Pannenberg." In 1992, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy, incredibly yet again at this university's Summa Cum Laude grade. The nature and the importance of the individual human being were at the core of both investigations. But, these two brilliant works by no means constitute a benchmark for the compelling centrality of the human person, every human person, in the priestly ministry of this scholar clergy.

In the course of nigh 30-year stewardship in the Lord's vineyard in the two continents of Africa and Europe, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Onah, fluent in several languages, including Igbo, English, French, Italian, and German, has performed diverse pastoral duties in rural and urban parishes; Minor and Major Seminaries, universities, and the chaplaincies of institutions and the lay apostolate organizations. He has also served on several Church panels.

The highlights of his assignments as a priest include: Second Vice-Rector and Teacher, St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka, Nigeria, 1984 to 1985; Assistant Parish Priest, St. Mary's Catholic Mission, Nimbo, Nigeria, 1985 to 1987; Enugu Diocesan Chaplain, Catholic Young Men Organization, Nigeria, 1985 to 1987; Philosophy Teacher and Administrative Dean, Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, Nigeria, 1987 to 1988; Pastoral Collaborator, St. Pius X Parish, Rome, Italy, 1993 to 1994; Acting Parish Priest and Parish Administrator, St. Anthony of Padua, S. Palomba (Rome), Italy, 1994 to 1997; Member, Missionary Team, Center for Missionary Apostolate, Diocese of Albano (Rome), Italy, 1997 to 2000; Chaplain, Association of Catholic Professionals, 'MEIC', Diocese of Albano (Rome), Italy, 2000 to 2005; Director, Institute for Research on Non-Belief and Cultures, Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, Italy, 2001 to 2007; Member, Board of Governors, "Nostra Aetate" Foundation, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City 2002 to 2013; Prefect of Studies, Pontifical Urban College ("Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide"), Rome, Italy (the prestigious 386-year old Seminary from which the Urbaniana University started), 2003 to 2009; Vice-Rector, Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, 2008 to 2013 (two terms); Consultor, General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, 2009 to 2013.

Father Godfrey was honoured with a Chaplain of His Holiness (Monsignor) on 9 May 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. He has participated in four Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops as an 'expert' (peritus). The Synod is an assembly of Catholic Bishops invited from all over the world to reflect with the Pope and advise him on important issues related to his teaching and governance of the Universal Church.

RT. REV SOSTHENES IKECHUKWU

ANGLICAN BISHOP OF ENUGU NORTH

The Rt. Rev Sosthenes Ikechukwu Eze was born in February 27, 1961 to late Mr. Francis Chukwuma Eze and Mrs. Caroline Makata Eze all of Ovoko, in Enugu State. He is the fourth child of his mother out of seven children.

Though delayed by the Nigerian Biafran Civil War, his primary education started in January1970 at Central School Ovoko and was completed in Community Primary School, Owerri Obukpa, in 1975. 

His secondary education began in Igbo-Eze Secondary School Enugu Ezike in 1975 but was completed in Anglican Grammar School, Nsukka in 1980, all in Enugu State. After that, he proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State, where he obtained National Diploma in Electrical Engineering in 1982. 

He attended the then Anambra State University of Science and Technology Enugu, now Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 1986. In 1992, he attended Haggai Institute, Singapore South East Asia for Advanced Leadership Course. In 2000 he attended St. Paul's University College, Awka, from where he obtained a Diploma in Theology in 2002. He received a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, in 2012, where he is also currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy Degree

After graduation, he was sent to Cross Rivers State for his National Youth Service Corp program in 1986 at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Calabar, which was completed in 1987. In 1988 he got employed with Trident Steel Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt, as Trainee Maintenance Engineer. He left Trident Steel for Andisen Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt, as a Project Engineer in 1989. In 1990, he joined the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited as Contract Project Inspector through Rigom Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt, and Allied Inspection Company Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt. In 1998, he was absorbed as a Contract Project Engineer with SPDC, Port Harcourt; he occupied and rose to Senior Contract Project Engineer until December 2005, when he voluntarily left their services for full-time ministry.

He came to know the Lord personally in May 1978 through the ministry of Scripture Union at Nsukka High School, Nsukka, where he joined the Christian Union in all the Higher Institutions he attended. He was made Assistant Organizing Secretary of Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship, Cross Rivers State Chapter, in 1986/1987.

In July 1997, he was made a Deacon and was priested in July 1998 by Late Rt. Rev. S. O. Elenwo. In 2000, he was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North; he held till 2002. In July 2002, he preferred a Canon, and in November 2002, he was chosen an Archdeacon by Rt. Rev. I. C.O. Kattey (JP), now Archbishop. He was also appointed Diocesan Prayer Chaplain from 2002 to 2004, Diocesan Sunday School Chaplain from 2004 to February 2007. In 2004, he was appointed Spirituality Coordinator for Clergy Association of Diocese of Niger Delta North. In December 2006, he was appointed Diocesan Missioner in charge of Foreign Missions for the Diocese. On March 4, 2007, he was consecrated Pioneer Bishop, Missionary Diocese of Enugu North.

SHEIKH ADAM ABDULLAHI IDOKO

CHIEF IMAM, UNN CENTRAL MOSQUE

Sheikh Abdullahi Adam Idoko is presently the Chief Imam of Central Mosque, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Director, of Islamic Education Peace and Development Centre, Enugu Ezike, Enugu State; he is the Chairman, Enugu State Muslim Council; Part-time Member, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria; Vice President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Enugu State; President General, League of Islamic Scholars and Missionaries of Eastern Nigeria; Deputy Secretary-General, Council of Ulama of Nigeria.

But before then, he held many positions among which are: Chairman, Enugu State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, 1992 to 1995; Secretary, Anambra State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, 1988 to 1992; Sheikh Idoko has a membership of many organizations within and at Diaspora some of which are: Member National Political Reform, Abuja (2005); Member, Abuja National Mosque Management Board; Member, Nigerian Inter-Religious Council; Member, Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee; Board Member, National Da’awah Coordination Council and Board Member, International Islamic Relief Organization, Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Idoko is married with children.

Sheikh Idoko has a Bachelor's Degree in Shari’ah from the Islamic University Medina in 1984 and has presented many lectures in various forums in and outside the country.

Sheik Idoko is a member of the Board of Trustees of many non-governmental organizations such as Jamaat Nasril Islam, National Dawaah Coordination Council of Nigeria, Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, International Islamic Relief Organization, Nigerian Office, International Islamic Charitable Organization, Nigeria office.

He Hails from Ogrute in Igbo Eze North Local government area of Enugu state.