Advertisement

At Funeral Mass, Pioneer Bishop of Nigeria’s Nsukka Catholic Diocese Eulogized as “a gift to the Church”

Credit: Shepherd Communications
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Nsukka, 24 September, 2025 / 8:53 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop Francis Emmanuel Ogbonna Okobo, the pioneer Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, who passed on August 29 at the age of 88, has been eulogized as a “gift” to the Catholic Church in the West African nation.

In his homily during the burial Mass of  the late Bishop Okobo, Bishop Anthony Ademu Adaji of the Catholic Diocese of Idah reflected on the theological and pastoral richness of the late Bishop’s life.

“We have not come here to mourn or cry, but to praise God for a life well lived. Bishop Francis Okobo, who lies before us in this sacred space, was a gift to the Church, and especially to Nsukka Diocese,” Bishop Adaji said during the Tuesday, September 23 Eucharistic celebration that was held at St. Theresa’s Cathedral of Nsukka Diocese.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop noted that the late Bishop lived the words of St. Paul, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Phil 4:4). This diocese has been graced by his Episcopal Ministry and continues to flourish under the hand of God.”

The Nigerian member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) described Bishop Okobo’s life as a witness of faith, hope, and charity.

Advertisement

“He was a man of undiluted faith, even in illness; a man of deep hope, trusting entirely in divine providence; and a man of extraordinary charity. He amassed no wealth, but instead invested himself wholly in God’s people,” he said.

Bishop Adaji shared his first encounter with Bishop Okobo in 2008, an encounter he said blossomed into a deep spiritual friendship rooted in mutual respect and shared love for the Priesthood.

Even in his frailty, Bishop Okobo continued to inspire faith, he added.

“He lived by faith and died in faith. He has fought the good fight. May he now wear the crown of righteousness in God’s eternal kingdom,” he said.

“May the soul of Bishop Francis Okobo, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,” Bishop Adaji implored.

More in Africa

South Africa

South African Catholic Bishop Known for Liturgical Reform at Conference Dies at 76

Read the article

The late pioneer Bishop of Nsukka Diocese was ordained to the Priesthood for Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Enugu in June 1966 at the age of 29 and served as a Priest for 54 years.

He served as the Local Ordinary of Nsukka Diocese for 34 years, following his Episcopal Consecration in January 1991, which St. Pope John Paul II presided over.

At the burial, the Local Ordinary of Nsukka Diocese lauded Bishop Okobo’s courage and resolve.

“Thank you, Bishop Okobo, for the gift you were to our Diocese. You loved the old and the young, the sick and the healthy. Even in your suffering, you remained obedient,” Bishop Geoffrey Igwebuike Onah said in his eulogy during the September 23 Mass.

He added, “Your final words to me were lived: ‘I cannot disobey my Bishop.’”

Trending

Advertisement

“The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” Bishop Onah said.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.