Commentary: Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination of Bishop Ezeofor

The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Right Reverend Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor, JP, PhD, Ambassador of Peace, is today marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination as a priest in the Anglican Communion. Though the Bishop directed that the celebration be low keyed, a special Eucharistic service takes place today at the Cathedral Church of Saint John Ekwulobia.

A man full of evangelical energy, Bishop Ezeofor always makes his mark anywhere he finds himself, starting from Ondo and Nnewi Dioceses, where he served as a priest before becoming a Bishop. He usually introduces programmes that make the faithful be in touch with God, their creator.

He proved his mettle in Ogbaru Diocese, where he served as its pioneer Bishop for eleven years. At present, he has introduced series of church programmes in Aguata Diocese where he has been translated and enthroned as the second Bishop of the Diocese. Such programmes are aimed at reawakening the spirit of the faithful towards evangelism, in addition to serving God in spirit and in truth.

Among the programmes he introduced in Aguata Diocese are: Fresh Grace from Above; Single and Sensible Project for the Youths; Diocesan Women Night of Glory; Weep no More; Worship and Word Conference; Covenant Prayer, among others. Bishop Ezeofor is very humble, disciplined, transparent and, above all, outspoken. He hates injustice.

The Bishop is building a Diocesan Secretariat complex at Ekwulobia. Diocesan Retreat and Conference centre project is also in pipeline at Ndikelionwu. Anywhere he is, he wants everybody to be accommodated and work towards their progress and advancement. Bishop Ezeofor, a good manager of both human and material resources, always recognizes and respects the elders and gives them their rightful position. He likes making history wherever he works.

The Right Reverend Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor was born on May 8, 1967.  He hails from Oko in Orumba North local Government Area. Saint John the Divine parish is his home Church. His parents are Ichie Noel Okeke Ezeofor and Mrs. Juliana Nwogbo Ezeofor.

Bishop Ezeofor attended Okoko Primary School, Oko, where he did his primaries one and two in 1973 and the Central School, Oko, where he completed his primaries three to six.  He also had his Secondary Education at Aguata High School, Aguata between 1980 and 1985.

He gained admission into the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1986 and graduated in 1990, majoring in Religion, with emphasis on the Old Testament Scriptures. Bishop Samuel also did his Masters Degree at the University of Ibadan from 1991 to 1992 before joining the Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, for a two-year Diploma course in theology in 1992, which qualified him to be a priest in the Anglican Communion. He holds a Doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan majoring in the Old Testament Scripture

On June 25, 1994, Bishop Samuel Ezeofor was ordained a Deacon in Akure Diocese and subsequently made a priest on June 26, 1995.  Thereafter, he become a Teacher at Archbishop Veining College of Theology, Akure and in 1998, moved over to Nnewi Diocese where he was made an Archdeacon on March 5, 2000.  On March 4, 2007, he was consecrated a Bishop and enthroned as the pioneer Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, eleven days after.

Bishop Ezeofor has been a man of spiritual energy with vast religious and humanitarian responsibilities. He is the former Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, EFAC, Eastern bloc; Vice Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) Nigeria, and Patron, Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Nigeria.  He is also the Patron, Scripture Union, Onitsha Area and Patron, Red Cross Society.

Bishop Samuel Ezeofor is married to Chinyere Huldah, Nnechukwunyere, an educationist from Nnobi and the marriage is blessed with five children.

So, as Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor celebrates the silver jubilee of his priestly ordination, our prayer is that his episcopacy will continue to bring good tidings of joy, happiness and the speedy development of Aguata Diocese, in all areas of human endeavour, Amen. Congratulations His Lordship, Happy celebration.

Aguata Diocese, Lampada Christi.