Cathedral Church of Our Saviour Ijebu-Ode of the Diocese of Ijebu of the Church of Nigeria will on Tuesday 19 March 2024 hosts over 165 Bishops and Archbishops for the consecration service of four new Bishops . Service starts at 9 a.m. The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria Most Revd Henry Ndukuba will preside . The newspot brings you details of your new Bishops elect with their pictures.
Ven Ikechukwu Joseph Egbuonu was born on 30th September 1976 to the Roman Catholic family of late Chief David and Mrs Rose Egbuonu of Uruagu, Umudioka in Dunukofia L.G.A of Anambra State. He attended Aforigwe primary school Umudioka and thereafter proceeded after the manner of most Igbo boys into apprenticeship because of insufficient funds owing to a marital glitch between the father and his mother who had married 5 wives.
The desire and intelligence were there but the vision faded at the sight of lack of funds on the side of a woman who then was left to herself and her children. He joined Mr Tochukwu Umunze in Bamenda Cameroon for a business apprenticeship that lasted for about 6 years in shattered hope. He was born again on the 21st of April 1995 and joined Scripture Union Nigeria, AYF, EFAC, Full Gospel Fellowship International, and other fellowships of his time out of hunger for God in a time where there was not a king in Israel and he grew into leadership in most of these fellowships.
He later subscribed to be ordained in the Redeemed Christian Church of God which God resisted. There in an attempt to evade the call of God and make some money being an only son of a poor forsaken woman, he joined Mr Onyebuchi Achebe as an apprentice again in the Drug business at Bridge Head market Onitsha (Ogbo ogwu) after which he was settled to start up his own business and prospered in a phase until the death of his mother at about 10:10 pm on 27th March 2000.
He never went back to the market again from the hospital where the mother died. In the year 2001, he became a sexton and local helper in the church of the Holy Spirit Onitsha where he served until September 2000 and was admitted into Trinity Theological College Umuahia on self-sponsorship under another arrangement but not under the Diocese on the Niger and was withdrawn by Bishop Ken Sandy Okeke in January 2003. The then Ven Ubaka Mbanugo’s refusal to post him to a church as minuted by the Diocese orchestrated his second service as a local helper in Christ church Attar Road Nkpor and he became officially reemployed on the 1st of November 2003 where the journey started again.
He got married to Ifeoma Igboavuchi of Akokwa, Imo state on the 1st of May 2004, a marriage that is blessed with 4 children; Divine, Favour, Rejoice, and Great. He was posted to St Mark’s Ifite Awkuzu in January 2005 where he was selected in September 2005 to return to Trinity College Umuahia. He served in the following churches after his Diaconate Ordination in 2007 and subsequent Priestly ordination in 2008;
St Matthias Nkpor, St Andrews Awuda Nnobi, St Paul’s Sanniez Onitsha where he brought down the old existing church structure and put up a new one in about 2 years under God, St Monica’s woliwo Onitsha where he hosted the most outstanding synod on the Niger and commenced the building of the 3000-seater Chapel at University on the Niger Umunya, Immanuel Church Nkwelle-Ezunaka until his election. Other churches he served on special arrangements include, St Silas Anekwasompu, Amazing Grace Isiowulu, St Faith Fegge, St John’s Fegge, St Paul Nkpor among others.
He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he acquired a BA in Religion, and later MA in New Testament and a Ph.D. New Testament. Other certificates he acquired include; Dip.Th(TRICOL), B.Th, (SPUCA), and several training and conferences certificates and awards.
He has effectively served the Diocese and the church in the following capacity: Coordinates the Diocese on the Niger Mission and Outreach Team (DONMORT)- an effective Evangelistic Missions arm of the Diocese on the Niger established in the year 2008 under Bishop Ken Okeke and reorganized in 2012 by The Rt Rev’d Owen Nwokolo; Coordinator Diocese on the Niger Strategic Discipleship movement an extension of Church of Nigeria strategic Discipleship movement under Archbishop Akanya and being mentored by Bishop Aloysious Agbo; chairman Fresh manna conferences publicity sub-committee Chairman, under Ven Ndubisi Obi (now bishop Diocese of Nnewi); Chaplain, Gideon on the Niger; Assistant pioneer Initiator Evangelist on the Niger; Coordinator Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, leader Anglican children ministry; assistant chairman Ugwunche camp Umunya. He leads Gospel Labour Partners(GoLPart) – a worldwide Evangelistic movement.
He is a teacher of the Word with an in-depth knowledge of the scripture and has always proved that effortlessly in synods, Conferences, Ministers’ training, and Crusades.
By the grace of God, he has ministered in major countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the US, and Canada. His wife Mrs Ifeoma Egbuonu has been a strong and effective partner and life supporter in his worldwide ministry.
The Ven. Tamunotari Matthew was born on the 24th day of July 1967 to the family of late Chief Raphael M. Obaze of Tombia-Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Mrs. Felicia Aneke Obaze (Nee Ojelade) of Sango Ota in Ogun State.
He attended State School Tombia between 1974 and 1979 and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He then proceeded to Agudama Comprehensive High School, Agudama-Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and obtained his West African School Certificate in 1984. In 1987 he briefly worked with Emina Hygienical Products an Indian firm in the Trans Amadi Industrial Area in Port-Harcourt before gaining employment to work as an assistant officer with the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority in 1987. In 1988, the Ven. Obaze secured admission to the then School of Health Technology Port-Harcourt to study Pharmacy as a technician in training. Upon his graduation in 1990, he was posted to the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital in Port-Harcourt where he worked as a pharmacy technician. He later proceeded to St. Bartholomew College of Health, Shao in Kwara State, and obtained his HND in Pharmaceutical Technology. In 2021, he obtained his PGD in Pharmaceutical Technology from Truine Biblical University in the United States. He worked and retired as a civil servant after 35 years of meritorious service on 1st November 2023.
In 1990, Ven. Obaze proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and obtained a Bachelor of Science, in Management in 1997, he further proceeded to the University of Port-Harcourt and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Management in 2006. In 2008, he proceeded to the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and obtained his Master’s in Managerial Psychology.
Ven. Obaze completed his diploma in Theology from St. Paul University Awka in 2004 and was ordained a deacon on July 18th, 2004, and posted to St. John’s Anglican Church, Okolobiri as a curate. He was priested in 2005 by the late Bishop Amabebe and was made a vicar after St. John’s Okolobiri became a parish under his watch. In January 2007, he was transferred to St. Luke’s Anglican Church Emeyal in the then Ogbia Archdeaconry. Again in 2008, he was transferred to St. Mark’s Anglican Church Otakeme Parish as vicar and later made the administrator when the Diocese of Ogbia was created in June 2008. He was elected the pioneer council secretary (Synod Secretary) and held that position for 4 years. He was installed a Canon of the Cathedral of St. Paul Anglican Church in 2010. In 2014, he was collected as an Archdeacon. Ven. Obaze went for further studies at St. Paul’s University and obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree in 2021 and a Masters degree in Systemic Theology in 2023. He is presently the Archdeacon of Onuebum Archdeaconry and Chaplain, Council of Knights. He is also the chairman of, the Clergy Association. He is happily married to Mrs. Obaze Margaret Esereghi and their marriage is blessed with children.
The Ven Owen Amos Sylvanus Ukafia was born on the 5th of December, 1963 to the late Pa Amos Sylvanus Ukafia and Mrs. Roseline Amos Ukafia in Okoroete, Eastern Obolo L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State.
He attended St. Silas Anglican Primary School, Okoroete, and then proceeded to Government Secondary School Ngo, Rivers State. He completed his secondary education at Esetang High School, Ekim in Mkpat Enin L.G.A.
He worked briefly with Ikot Abasi Local Government Council as an Account Clerk before receiving the call to ministry. Through the sponsorship of Late Most Rev’d Emmanuel Nglass he went to Trinity Theological College, Umuahia. In 1996 he gained provisional admission to study Philosophy at the University of Calabar, Cross River State. He had his Masters in Divinity (M.Div) in 2012 from Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In 1994 he was made a Deacon by Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Nglass the then Bishop of the Diocese of Uyo, priested the following year and was made Vicar of St. John the Baptist Church Ikot Ekpene. The Ven Owen Amos Sylvanus Ukafia was the preferred Canon of the Cathedral Church of All Saints in 2002 and Collated Archdeacon in 2006 by the Most Rev’d Emmanuel Nglass.
The Ven Owen Amos Sylvanus Ukafia served in the following capacity in the Diocese:-
(I) Chaplain Anglican Youth Fellowship, in his time the AYF in the Diocese of Uyo was inaugurated
(ii) Pioneer Diocesan Missioner, during his tenure he planted several churches in the Diocese
(iii)From 2004 to 2012 he served as Clerical Synod Secretary making him work with two Bishops – The Most Rev’d Emmanuel Nglass and Rt. Revd Isaac Orama.
(iv) Bishop’s Examining Chaplain
(v) Coordinator Church Planting Institute
(vi) Chairman, Clergy Association 2017 to 2022
(vii) Lay Readers Chaplain
(viii) He played a vital role in the establishment of EFAC in the Diocese in 1996. In 2017, he was sent on a Rescue Mission to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oron which was at that time in crisis.
He has served in almost all the Archdeaconries in the Diocese and he is presently serving in his home church St. Silas Anglican Church and Archdeacon of Eastern Obolo Archdeaconry.
The Ven Owen Amos Sylvanus Ukafia worked as a Civil Servant in the position of Administrative Officer in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service from 2001 to 2008. He was elected Vice Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and served from 2016 to 2021. He was elected Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN, Eastern Obolo Chapter from 2020 till date.
He is happily married to Mrs. Zilpah Owen Amos Sylvanus Ukafia and their marriage is blessed with children.
The Rt. Rev. Dr Nuhu Yohanna of Unguwar Mato Furana Ikara Local Government Kaduna State, Nigeria was born to the family of late Malan Nomau and late Hauwa Maifura Malan of blessed memory. He is the ninth child of the family.
He had his one year primary school education at LEA Primary School Furana 1979-1980. He attended two different Secondary Schools; G.S.S Kagoro, now Government College Kagoro, Kaduna state 1981-1983 and G D S S Ikara 1983-1986.
In 1982 his fellow students in Government secondary school Kagoro started calling him ‘Pastor’ but he answered his call into the ministry in 1986. Bishop Nuhu Yohanna preached his first sermon the very day he reported in Anglican Church Unguwar Mai-mai Gwanki now St. Peter’s Church Mai-mai in Makarfi Local Government, Kaduna state on 5th October, 1986. His topic that day was “HE HAS CALLED ME FOR HIS WORK” The text was taken from Galatians 1:15-end. As agent Catechist, he had the following Churches under him: St. Peter’s Church Mai-mai, Christ Church Sarki Gwanki, All saints’ Church Danwaiya, St. Paul’s Church Umbo, All Saints’ Church Kunda, St. Thomas Church Kirgi, and St. Marks Church Ranau.
In 1988, he gained admission into St. Francis of Assisi Theological College Wusasa Zaria where he studied and obtained Certificate in Theology in 1991. After his studies in June 1991, he was posted to Katsina Diocese under the late Bishop James Shekari Kwasu when the Diocese was not up to a year old. At that time, the Diocese was having only two ordained Priests; Rev. Zephaniah Kalatu B. Danbong at the Cathedral Church of St John’s Katsina and Rev. Tanko Magaji at St. James Anglican church Funtu’a. This servant of God was posted to 0ur Savours Anglican Church Kadanyar Baushe on 9th June, 1991 and resumed work on 1st July, 1991. From there he was transferred to St. Paul’s Anglican Church Unguwar Danwada on 13th July, 1992
In 1992, he got two admissions; St. Francis of Assisi Theological College Wusasa Zaria for his Diploma in Theology and A B U Zaria to study Diploma in Christian Religious Education. He simultaneously completed the two courses in 1995. After his completion, he was posted back to Katsina Diocese for his deaconate ordination, which took place on 2nd July, 1995 at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Katsina.
After his deaconship ordination by the Rt..Rev. James Shekari Kwasu (JP) of blessed memory, he was posted to St. John’s Anglican Church Gidan Hazo on 7th July 1995 and resumed work on 16th July 1995. This servant of God was priested in St. John’s Anglican Church Gidan Falgore on 7th July, 1996, and continued serving God at St. John’s Anglican Church Gidan Hazo where he spent another one year before he was transferred to St. James’ Anglican Church Funtu’a on 30th December, 1996 and resumed work on 6th January, 1997 where the Lord used him for a period of one year and six months. This man of God was transferred from Funtu’a to Christ Anglican Church Kankara on 4th September, 1998 where he served for two years. From Kankara he was transferred to St. Luke’s Anglican Church Malumfashi, as the Acting Zonal Supervisor in 2000. After he spent nine months in Malumfashi he was transferred to Christ Anglican Church Daura where he served for two years and two months before his transferred back to St. Luke’s Anglican Chruch Malumfashi where he served for only eleven months. He was transferred to St. Paul’s Anglican Church Dutsin-ma in 2005, where he was preferred Revd. Canon in 2006. When he completed eight months at Dutsin-ma, he was transferred to St. Peter’s Anglican Chruch Unguwar Mutsu. After a period of nine months in Unguwar Mutsu, he was transferred to St. James’ Anglican Church Funtua for his second missionary journey where he was made the vicar of St. James Anglican Church Funtua, Zonal supervisor of Funtu’a Zone and acting Archdeacon of Funtu’a Archdeaconry on 4th September, 2008 by the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Sani Bamaiyi(JP) of blessed memory. He was preferred Archdeacon of Funtu’a Archdeaconry by the same Bishop Jonathan Sani Bamaiyi in the same St. James’ Anglican Church Funtu’a. Two weeks after his collations as Archdeacon of Funtu’a Archdeaconry he was transferred to the Cathedral Church of St. John Katsina where the Lord used him for good five years from 2009-2013. There he gained admission into ECWA Theological Seminary Kagoro for his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Religious Studies in 2009. In 2013 he was transferred to St. Peter’s Anglican Church Unguwar Mutsu for his second missionary journey. In 2017, he was seconded to Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary Abeokuta. In CGTS Abeokuta he served as the HOD and Lecturer for Centre of Languages and Ministerial Studies. Chairman, Tender Committee and Lecturer II, Centre for Advance Theological Studies. There he added the following qualifications: Master of Theology in Religious Ethics Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta 2018-2019. Master of Arts in Christian Religious Studies, Ajayi Crowther University Oyo 2020-2021. Ph.D.in Religious Ethics, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta 2019-2022.
Before his secondment to CGTS Abeokuta, Bishop Nuhu Yohanna served as the Diocesan Women’s Chaplain, Diocesan Translator and Diocesan Interpreter, Bishop examining Chaplain among others. His lordship, the Rt. Rev. Nuhu Yohanna was the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kankara Local Government, Katsina state 1999-2000, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kafur Local Government, Katsina State 2005-2006 and Chairman, Hausa Christians Association Ogun State Chapter 2021-2024 February. The Rt. Rev. Nuhu Yohanna attended many conferences; Church of Nigeria Advanced Course in Church Ministry 2012. Berean Leadership Seminar 2009, Training Pastors International 2009 and Prison Evangelism Ministry Seminar in 2007 among others.
Therefore, to the Glory of God, at the end of the standing committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion held at the Cathedral Church of the Ascension, Boji-Boji, Owa from 5th to 9th February 2024, at the end of the Episcopal Synod held on Thursday, 8th February, 2024 at St. Michael’s Angllican Church Owa Alero in Ika Diocese, Delta state, He was elected Bishop of Katsina Diocese at the time he was serving God in Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary Abeokuta and in St. Paul’s Cathedral Oke-Igbore in the Diocese of Egba-West, under the leadership of the Rt. Revd Samuel Dele Ogundeji
Bishop Nuhu Yohanna got married to Mrs. Hauwa Nuhu on 12th January, 1996. God has blessed their marriage with three children namely; Yusha’u Nuhu, Emmanuel Victor Nuhu and Favour Lami Nuhu.
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