Prominent Church Figures Celebrate Akubeze’s Legacy In Farewell Tribute

Governor Monday Okpebholo, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and Peter Obi, the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) presidential candidate for the upcoming general election, were among the dignitaries who attended the funeral Mass of Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the late Archbishop of the Benin Catholic Diocese.

The late Akubeze passed away last month while on vacation in the US.

The St. Paul Catholic Church, the location of the funeral service, is on Airport Road, which experienced heavy traffic due to the funeral Mass.

In an interview, Obi said that the late Akubeze lived a sacrificial life and urged Nigerians to emulate him.

He said, “Archbishop Akubeze lived an exceptional life. He lived his life for others. His life was sacrificial. Nigerians should learn from him. May the God who called him grant his soul eternal rest.”

Pope Leo XIV recalled Archbishop Akubeze’s years of devotion to his episcopal ministry and his commitment as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in his condolence message, which was conveyed thru Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Akubeze’s pastoral efforts were praised by Pope Leo.

Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), characterized Akubeze as the pinnacle of humility, dedication, and generosity that made the late cleric successful.

“It is with a profound sense of loss, yet with hope of the resurrection, that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria received the news of the death of Most Reverend Augustine Obiora Akubeze, who was a man of extraordinary virtue—humble yet fearless, gentle yet unwavering in his commitment to truth and justice. Above all, he was a man of deep interior life, sustained by constant prayer and reflection. His spiritual depth was the wellspring from which he drew strength to labour tirelessly for the flock entrusted to his care.”

“He was grounded in his intimate communion with the Lord. He was a man of humble and gentle mien. We will not forget in a hurry how he steered the ship of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria as its President. His tenure was marked by deep commitment to unity, and his wise counsel has continued to shape the life of the Conference to date.

“His heart was genuinely and unreservedly given those he served. He was also known for his gift for patiently listening to the problems of both the clergy and the laity. At the same time, his generosity was unmatched, and he will be remembered as a man who proclaimed the Gospel of generosity.”

Governor Okpebholo, who donated two Toyota Coaster buses to the Archdiocese, said the late cleric carried out his calling with dedication.

He said, “We thank God for the gift of his life, his priestly ministry, and his service to the Church and to God’s people. He carried out his calling with dedication, faith, courage, and love for the people entrusted to his care.

“Though we mourn his passing, we also give thanks for the legacy he leaves behind, the lives he touched, the people he encouraged, and the work he did for the growth of the Church.

“As we commit his soul into the hands of our merciful God, may the Lord grant him eternal rest and welcome him into His heavenly kingdom.”

Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in perfect peace