Security operatives have begun massive search for the retired Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion for the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala who was declared missing since Friday morning 6 December 2024.
He was said to have left Nnewi for Umuchu with his driver and did not arrive at his destination.
Umuchu is one of the largest towns in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Umuchu lies near the state border between Anambra and Imo States
A short statement from from his province read:
PRAY FOR THE RELEASE
With a deeply burdened heart, we write to inform you of the distressing news that our revered Father in God, the Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala (Retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi), has been missing since yesterday morning.
He embarked on a journey to Umuchu accompanied by his driver but, unfortunately, never arrived at his destination. Since then, there has been no communication, and neither he, his driver, nor the vehicle have been located.
LET GOD ARISE!
Rt.Revd. Dr G.I.N Okpala(JP) was elected the first bishop of Nnewi on December 2nd 1995 following the inauguration of the Diocese on February 14, 1996. Bishop Godwin was born in ikenga village, Adazi-ani on September 17, 1949. The youngest child of his pagan parents, Mr Uzokwe Okpala-oguaju Okpala and Mrs Onyeghalunkeya Okpala who on conversion to Christianity by baptism renamed Mrs Josephine Okpala and was later conferred with a “mother of honour”.
Young Godwin had his primary school education at St Jude’s primary school, Adazi Ani. He passed the entrance examination into ife grammar school, mbaise in 1964. Unfortunately that same year, he lost his father at a very tender age of 15. VEN. (BARR.) ALEXANDER EDICHIE (JP) writes “The bishop still remembers very vividly that in 1966, while in secondary school, he gave his life to Christ, a fundamental necessity for any who longs to truly be a child of God.” Also, Bishop Godwin has passionately dreamed of being a medical doctor but this desire changed with his encounter with Christ and he began to have the longing to be a priest. “it was a war that aggravated people’s sufferings and left many impoverished” Alexander posited against the Nigerian Biafran civil war brake out, which young Godwin and other students of his school left for their respective homes in 1967.
He had a deep interest to be enrolled into the Biafran Armed forces at the early stage of the war. He desired to join the Air force and fly planes as a pilot. He was initially disqualified severally on account of age. However, he was conscripted into the army when the war became severe, trained and given a number in the Biafran army although he was later decamped. Young Godwin returned to school (this time at Oraukwu Grammar School) after the war ended in January 1970. He remains eternally grateful to his mother who weathered the storm of poverty and difficulty to give him an education. In 1971, he took his final exams and passed his papers.
The principal, Revd. A.C. Chiwuzie took him to the then Bishop on the Niger, the Rt Revd. L.M. Uzodike who briefly interviewed him and posted him to St Andrew’s church odoakpu, Onitsha as a church teacher. He was later re-transferred to St.Mark’s Nnewichi to commence his church teaching ministry in 1972. This was indeed what later metamorphosed into the episcopacy
– Ven. (Barr.) Alexander Edichie(JP) wrote.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
