First Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese Eulogized for “unwavering faith, selfless service”

The CBCN President said Archbishop Ekpu’s commitment to the vulnerable was evident in his establishment of a home for elderly homeless women.

“Through his pastoral letters, he enlightened the faithful and guided their spiritual journey, and during his tenure, he ordained over 90 Priests, significantly increasing the Clergy in the Archdiocese,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop, who was the main celebrant during the Mass said.

In his homily, Bishop Michael Odogwu Elue of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku thanked God for the 92 years that Archbishop Ekpu lived on earth, “propagating and working in the vineyard of God Almighty.”

Born in October 1931 in Unuwazi in Nigeria’s Edo State, the late Archbishop was ordained a Priest in July 1963. 

The late Nigerian Catholic Archbishop started his Episcopal Ministry in November 1971 as the Coadjutor Bishop of Benin City Diocese.

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He became the first Archbishop of the Nigerian Archdiocese on 26 March 1994 when Pope John Paul II elevated Benin City Diocese to an Archdiocese. 

The late Catholic Archbishop retired as the Local Ordinary of Benin City on 21 November 2006. He was succeeded by Archbishop Richard Anthony Burke. 

During the August 22 Funeral Mass, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki renamed the First East Circular Road in Benin City, the state capital after the late Archbishop.

“As a government, we believe we should immortalize Archbishop Ekpu. I have decided that the First East Circular Road, in Benin City, will henceforth be known as Archbishop Ebosele Ekpu Road,” Mr. Obaseki said.

He described the late Archbishop as an exemplary pastor who served the Church well.

“I celebrate the legacies of the Emeritus Archbishop who made indelible contributions in growing the Catholic faith and promoting education which positively impacted our society. His impact transcended the Church as he was loved and respected by those who had contact with him, as he worked to set up educational institutions in Edo State,” the Governor said.

According to Obaseki continued, the Archbishop provided the template to run the best schools and set the standard for others to follow. 

Archbishop Akpu, the government official said, was compassionate and kind. “He contributed to the growth of the Catholic faith and was a role model for others. In the schools he built, young men and women gained valuable education, which enabled them to contribute positively to the development of society,” Obaseki said.

“I celebrate the impactful service to humanity and to God and the work he did for Christ in Edo State where he promoted peace and societal cohesion. He remains a great ambassador of the Catholic faith, Edo State, and Nigeria. He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to education, which endeared him to the hearts of many. I thank God for his life,” he said.

The Local Ordinary of Benin City Archdiocese, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze thanked the governor of Edo State for honoring late Archbishop Ekpu, especially for renaming a street after the Archbishop who he described as “our patriarch.”

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Archbishop Akubeze celebrated the life and legacy of Archbishop Ekpu, highlighting his numerous contributions to the growth of the Church and the Nigerian society.

“No one can ever bury the over 61 years he served the Church as a priest. No one can ever bury the over 52 years he served as Bishop. No one can ever bury his numerous contributions to the growth of the Church in Nigeria,” the Nigerian Archbishop said.

He added, “It is impossible to bury the legacy of Ekpu who spoke little but led by example. It is impossible to bury Ekpu’s heroic life lived for more than 21 years he lost his sight and never complained.”

“We may bury his mortal remains today, but we can never bury the memories of a Church patriarch who retired for more than 18 years and never interfered with the administration of the diocese he governed since 1973,” Archbishop Akubeze said during the August 22 Funeral Mass.

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.