Bishop Francis Okobo (1936–2025)

Early Life and Royal Ancestry

On the morning of 4 December 1936, a child of destiny was born into the royal household of Ozo Bartholomew Nnabuchi Ugwuja Okobo and Mrs. Josephine Lolo Ugwu Okobo (née Nwasogwa) in Dunoka, Ejuona Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State. He was the first son among seven children of his parent and the first male grandchild of his lineage. His grandfather, Ugwunwike Okobo Ezema; the Eze Lejja, loved him dearly and named him Ogbonnaya (“Prince Junior”).

Young Ogbonnaya lived under his grandfather’s shadow, often deputizing for him in traditional rituals, pouring libations, and carrying the authority of the Eze. This immersion in African Traditional Religion instilled in him reverence, courage, and discipline—virtues that later shaped his Christian vocation.

His father, Ozo Nnabuchi, just like any other man from a royal family brought his children up in line with the norms and traditions of Lejja community. He was a respected farmer, known for hard work, truthfulness, and generosity. Though a stammerer, he was a man of integrity who defended truth fearlessly. Bishop Francis replicated this sense of courage, truthfulness and fearlessness. He was truly an exemplar of “Afu nwa echeta Nna’ (If you see the son, you remember the Father).

His mother, Josephine Lolo Ugwu Okobo Nee Nwasogwa from Amebo village of Lejja, a business woman of locally made fabrics and processed bread- fruits had to her credit, the prestigious traditional title of ‘Ogbajirigwe’ and ‘Okpu-echi.’ Until her death, she was the oldest woman at Amebo, her home village as well as ‘Eze- Ndiom (leader of women) in her marital village Dunoka and also ‘Nnemuruoha’ in the catholic circle. She died in 2010. Nnemuruoha Josephine Okobo was a quintessence of love, known for her simplicity, humility and generosity. Her virtues of kindness and humanity deeply influenced her son’s pastoral style.

 

Education and Call to the Priesthood

In 1946, Monsignor Raphael Eze, one of the earliest priests from Nsukka, encouraged Lejja families to send their children to school. Young Francis enrolled at St. Raphael’s Catholic School, Lejja, and later completed his primary education at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Nsukka in 1953.

It was here that the call to the priesthood grew stronger. His family, however, fiercely opposed it. His father threatened him. His mother pleaded with him to marry, and charms were prepared to divert his path. Twice his box was burnt in attempts to frustrate him. But nothing shook his resolve.

In 1954, he gained admission to All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. Financial hardship nearly kept him away until providence, hard labour and community support raised the three pounds he needed. Too poor to buy a box, a carpenter made him a trunk from a Heineken crate. At the seminary, he excelled academically, passing both WAEC and London GCE Advanced Level in one sitting—an uncommon achievement then.

He proceeded to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, for philosophy, after which he served on apostolic work at St. James Seminary, Keffi and All Hallows, Onitsha. In 1963, he returned to Bigard for theology but was soon sent abroad to St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh, England, where he completed theological studies with distinction.

Ordination and Priesthood in Time of War

He was installed a Lector in 1965, an Acolyte in February 1966, ordained Deacon in May 1966, and finally Priest on 4 June 1966 at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark, by Archbishop Cyril Cowdroy.

After a brief pastoral assignment in North London, he insisted on returning to Nigeria, declaring: “My place is with my people.” He was posted to St. Theresa’s Parish, Nsukka as an assistant Parish Priest to Msgr P. Meze, and by June 1967 became Parish Priest of Eke—just as the Nigerian Civil War broke out.

During the war, he lived courageously among his flock. He tilled the soil to feed soldiers and civilians, baptized, wedded, took care of the sick, buried the dead and consoled the broken hearted. Once betrayed to soldiers by an informant, he escaped only because, that day, he wore neither cassock nor glasses. On another occasion, his younger brother was mistaken for him and captured. Through all, he remained a fearless shepherd, embodying the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

Higher Studies and Pastoral Ministry

After the war, he served at St. Theresa’s Parish Mmaku(1970), St Mary’s Parish Ngwo(1972-1973), Awgu and later at the Catholic Secretariat in Lagos with Caritas. In 1973, he returned to Rome for higher studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he earned:

• Licentiate in Pastoral Theology
• Licentiate in Sacred Theology (First Class)
• Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD), specializing in Ecclesiology and Catechesis

Fluent in Igbo, English, Latin, Italian, and German, he combined scholarship with pastoral zeal. On returning in 1978, he served as Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Parish, Awgu, for ten years (present day Awgu Cathedral). His parish work was marked by catechesis, simplicity, generosity, and devotion to truth.

In 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed him Papal Chamberlain (Monsignor). That same year, he became Pioneer Parish Priest of St. Mary’s, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

Bishop of Nsukka Diocese

On 26 November 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed him the first Bishop of Nsukka Diocese. On 6 January 1991, the Pope himself consecrated him at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. His motto, Surgite, Eamus Hinc (“Arise, let us go”), became the rallying cry of his episcopacy.

His episcopacy in Nsukka diocese was truly providential and foundational in many regards:

• He increased parishes from 27 to 113
• Ordained over 176 priests
• Founded the Good Shepherd Seminary, Nsukka
• Convoked the First Synod of Nsukka, engaging faith and culture
• Championed reforms in Christian burial and marriage customs
• Resisted traditional cult practices (Omaba, Oriokpa, Odo, Akatakpa)
• Defended Church lands and other temporal goods of the church with courage