Archbishop Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh, Primate of Nigeria: Join us in observing "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"

“ That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn. ”

— Talmud, Shabbat 31a, the "Great Principle HERE


Lagos — The new Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Eminence, Most Reverend Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh will be installed today in Abuja. He becomes the fourth Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria.

He takes over from the Most Rev Peter Akinola who vacates his office today.

Formerly the Archbishop of Bendel Province, comprising 13 Dioceses, he was elected Bishop in 2001 and became the Arch -bishop in 2005 when the then Archbishop of Bendel Province died.

Born 57 years ago, Okoh, a retired Lt. Colonel, lived most of life as a military Chaplain where he served in the Nigerian Army for 32 years. He retired in 2001 after his election as Bishop of Asaba.

The new Primate was elected in after a hitch free voting exercise by the house of Bishops at the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen's Umuahia, Abia State. Archbishop Okoh secured two-thirds majority of the total votes cast, beating three other clerics who contested with him.

An indigene of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, Archbishop Okoh attended the famous Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, Oyo State between 1976 and 1979. He was made deacon in 1979, preferred a Canon in 1987, collated Archdeacon in 1991 and was elected Bishop of Asaba in 2001.

Reflecting on his journey to the leadership of the Anglican Church, he told THISDAY in an exclusive interview: "I must say to the glory of God that I was not a clergy man when I went to the Army, it was in the Army that I was trained. In other words, the Army did the training. All my training as Catchist, as a Clergyman were all sponsored by the Ministry of Defence."

After his training, he returned to the Bishop of Asaba for ordination and then returned to the Army to serve. He served in Jos as a garrison Chaplain. He later attended the University of Ibadan for further studies after which he was posted to Lagos where he pastored St Luke Military Church, All Saints Army Headquarters Church, Abati Barracks and later became garrison Chaplain in Lagos.

He was at various times 2 Division Chaplain , 3 Armoured Division Deputy Director Chaplain, and a Colonel Coordinate.

He got married October 4th, 1986, and ¨we are blessed in that marriage with five children.¨ HERE

·Thanks to All Africa
·Thanks to The Sage Hillel
·Thanks to The Great Commandment
·Thanks to Wikipedia
·Thanks to The Ten Commandments
·Thanks be To God