Francis Okobo

His Excellency

Francis Emmanuel Ogbonna Okobo
Bishop Emeritus of Nsukka
ArchdioceseOnitsha
DioceseNsukka
Appointed19 November 1990
Term ended13 April 2013
Predecessorposition established
SuccessorGodfrey Igwebuike Onah
Orders
Ordination4 June 1966
Consecration6 January 1991
by Pope John Paul II, Giovanni Battista Re, Justin Francis Rigali
Personal details
Born(1936-11-04)4 November 1936
Lejja, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Died29 August 2025(2025-08-29) (aged 88)
Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Francis Emmanuel Ogbonna Okobo (4 November 1936 – 29 August 2025) was a Nigerian Catholic prelate who served as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nsukka from 19 November 1990 to 13 April 2013.

Biography

Okobo was ordained a priest for the diocese of Enugu on 4 June 1966.[1]

Pope John Paul II appointed him the first bishop of the diocese of Nsukka, which was established on the same date, on 19 November 1990. The Pope consecrated him bishop on 6 January of the following year in St. Peter's Basilica; His co-consecrators were Giovanni Battista Re, Substitute of the Secretariat of State, and Justin Francis Rigali, Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.[2]

On 13 April 2013, Pope Francis accepted his retirement due to age. Okobo died on 29 August 2025, at the age of 88.[1] He was mourned by Godfrey Onah.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Bishop Francis Emmanuel Ogbonna Okobo [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. ^ Aba, Uchenna (2016). The Reception of the Second Vatican Council's Liturgical Reforms in Nigeria (Nsukka Diocese). LIT Verlag Münster. ISBN 978-3-643-90775-2.
  3. ^ Polycarp, Nwafor Sunday (29 August 2025). "Nsukka Catholic Diocese mourns passing of Bishop Emeritus Francis Okobo". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 4 December 2025.