KNOW YOUR PRIMATE – ELECT.

“SEEST THOU A MAN WHO IS DILIGENT AT HIS DUTIES, HE WILL STAND BEFORE KINGS AND NOT BEFORE MEAN MEN”  Proverbs 22:29

            From a humble beginning, God has placed the new Primate elect on a high pedestal. By that singular act of a free and fair Holy Spirit guided election he has instantly become the cynosure of all eyes.

            No doubt the most Rev. Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh has come a long way combining the courageous, boldness and piety of a consistent priest, oracle of God to reach the apex in a world full of challenges. He has paid his dues.

            A Lay Reader 1971 – 1974, a trained and commissioned Catechist at Vining leadership Christian Center Akure, got his ordinary level certificate (O/Level) in 1974 (London GCE) he sat for the higher School Certificate, (HSC) Advanced Level (A/L) in 1976. He went back to the same Vining for a short ordination course for one year, but he was not ordained because the authority said he was too young.

            He was recommended to go to Immanuel College of Theology Samonda Ibadan for additional three (3) years from 1976 to 1979.

            The Primate elect was ordained in 1979. All the while he was trained by ministry of Defence while serving in the army. He was ordained by the Rt. Rev. R. N. C. Nwosu the then Bishop of Asaba.

            Immediately after ordination he was transferred to Jos as the Garrison Chaplain 3 division Garrison.

            Later in 1979 he proceeded to University of Ibadan for a degree course which he completed in 1982. After his completion of first degree he was moved to army headquarters of chaplaincy protestant in Lagos and appointed the Vicar of St. Luke’s Church Yaba. Archbishop Okoh went back to the premier University Ibadan for a Master’s Degree, while pursuing a post Graduate degree he became the Vicar of All Saints for about 5 – 6 years till 1989.

            In 1989, the Primate Elect was moved to Ibadan as 2 Div Chaplain 2 mechanized division.

            When he was 2 Div Chaplain his responsibility covered the whole Area of 2 mechanized division. There was a reshuffle in the army and Archbishop Okoh had to serve again as Garrison Chaplain. He was put at Mokola, Ibadan and Headquarters at St. Augustine Military Church (The Headquarter Church) he supervised other Churches from there. He was moved later to 3 armored division in Jos as the Deputy Director Chaplaincy. In that capacity, he supervised all Military Churches, in Jos in Bauchi up to Maidiguri, Barma Munguno, Biv, Baruwa Yola and so on. He was later moved to Kaduna where he served as Deputy director in charge of St. Luke’s Military Church 44 Kaduna supervising the whole of North- West up to Sokoto, Katsina, Zuru up to Nguru.

            The most Rev. D. O. Okoh was moved again to Lagos, while in Lagos, he was appointed cometh co-ordinate, in charge of Administration in the Headquarters in Lagos. In addition to that he was the Vicar of All Saints Church and Deputy Director in charge of Churches in Lagos. It was while serving in Lagos that he was elected Bishop of Asaba in 2001. He had since served as Bishop of Asaba.

            In 2005, he was graciously elected Archbishop when the Archbishop of Bendel Province Late Albert Agbaje died and that is the office he has occupied till today.

            The Primate elect had served as a member of the committee road to Lambeth of the Church. He also had the privileged to serve as a member of Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). The Primate elect is the chairman of the Theological resource group which is made up of Bishops Theologians, lay and Clergy from all over the world. Their Job is to think theologically for the Church.

            Presently he is the Chairman Nigerian Pilgrim Christian Commission. He is a Registered Doctoral student. With the challenges of his new office it is our prayer that God will see him through the rigours of Academic work.

Rev. Canon Foluso Taiwo

Director of Communications

Church of Nigeria

Anglican Communication

Abuja, Nigeria.