Former CBCN President Remembered for Humility, Faith and Dedicated Service to the Catholic Church
BENIN CITY, Nigeria — The Catholic Church in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
The revered cleric passed away on Thursday, July 9, according to a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh.
Announcing the Archbishop’s passing, the Archdiocese said it received the news with “profound sorrow, yet with a firm hope in the resurrection,” describing him as a humble shepherd who devoted his life to the service of God and humanity.
“Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze lived a very simple and humble life in faith and obedience to the will of God. He impacted the lives of so many people. He was a complete gentleman and a father to us all,” the statement read.
Archbishop Akubeze was ordained a Catholic priest on October 3, 1987. He was appointed Bishop of Uromi on December 14, 2005, and consecrated on February 25, 2006, before Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Benin City on March 18, 2011. He was formally installed on April 28, 2011.
During his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Akubeze emerged as one of Nigeria’s most respected Catholic leaders. He served as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) from 2018 to 2022, where he consistently advocated for peace, justice, national unity and moral leadership.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City commended his soul to God’s mercy, praying for his eternal rest and urging the faithful to continue praying for the repose of his soul.
The Archdiocese also appealed for prayers for the clergy, his family and all those mourning his passing.
Funeral arrangements, the Church said, will be announced in due course.
IBN News extends its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the clergy, religious faithful, and the family of the late Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
