On Friday, 10 April Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu of Abakaliki Diocese of Nigeria passed on at the youthful age of sixty years. He had been Bishop for five years, mounting the saddle at Abakaliki in August of 2021.

In case you are unfamiliar with Bishop Chukwu on account of his humility and quiet approach, then you have not heard of one Nigerian who turned down an award. Less than a year after assuming the headship of his Diocese, Ebonyi State named Bishop Chukwu as one of the recipients of its maiden Merit Award. Unfamiliar to recognition for no tangible reasons, His Lordship did not take long to decline the award.

The then young Bishop was not slow in letting the then State Government of Ebonyi State, Senator Umayi, know his feelings  “I feel that I have not achieved much as to deserve an award. If I may suggest, I would rather wish that this award be bestowed on my predecessor, Most Rev. Michael Nnachi Okoro, for his long and meritorious service to God and humanity.”  It is unclear whether Engineer Senator Governor Umayi knew at the time that Bishop Chukwu was one month old when Bishop Okoro was ordained a priest in December 1969.

Now that he is a busy Minister of Works, Engineer Umahi may need to be reminded of the request of Bishop Chukwu at that time. The Bishop had requested that Governor Umahi should act with regards to the plight of Rev. Fr. Thomas Ngwuta, a priest of Abakaliki then being held in prison custody.

Senator Umahi was however quite graceful and generous in praise on learning of the death of Bishop Chukwu. “As a teacher of the Word and a shepherd of souls, Most Rev. Dr. Chukwu distinguished himself through his calm wisdom, pastoral care, and his ability to reach both the high and the low with equal compassion.”

In life or in death, the Church knows how to celebrate one of her own. So, it was at the funeral of Bishop Chukwu. You do not need to attend the events to appreciate what went into the affair. In a video clip of the entrance procession, you could count fifty two Bishops, two of them Cardinals. Throngs of mourners, including adherents of other religious bodies, dignitaries of state, citizens, young and old turned up to bid the humble servant of God farewell.

The passing of Bishop Chukwu makes the second time in recent memory when a Nigerian Bishop would die during the lifetime of his predecessor. In 2018, Most Rev. Paul Olawoore was appointed Bishop of Ilorin in succession to Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi. Bishop Olawoore passed on in January of 2022. Bishop Ayo-Maria lived until March of 2025. Similarly, Bishop Chukwu is survived by his predecessor, Bishop Okoro. Both Bishop Olawoore and Bishop Chukwu were sixty years of age at the time of their passing: an early age for Bishops.

Other Bishops of Nigeria who died in their sixties include Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan who died in 2019 at the age of 60 years; Bishop Peter Adoboh of Katsina-Ala who died in 2020 at the age of sixty one; Bishop Joseph Ajomo of Lokoja who died in 2004 at the age of 65; Bishop John of the Cross Anyogu who died at the age of 69 years on 5 July 1967, a day to the start of the Nigeria Civil War. Bishop Godfrey Okoye of Enugu died in 1977 at 61 years.  Archbishop JKA Aggey of Lagos died in 1972 at the age of sixty-four. Archbishop GG Ganaka died in 1999 at the age of sixty-two. Bishop George Dodo of Zaria died in 2022 at the age of sixty-six. James Daman, Bishop of Shendam died in 2015 at 58 years. Bishop Malachy Goltok of Bauchi died in 2015 at 49 years. Bishop Fidelis Orgah of Otukpo died in 2000 at 47 years.

May the Good Shepherd watch over the ones to whom His flock has been entrusted. May the soul of Bishop Peter Chukwu rest in peace.

 

Ayo Fasoro

Non Sum Dignus