His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos has announced the appointments and transfer of Priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. Archbishop Martins made this known in a special circular addressed to all Priests and Religious working in the Archdiocese of Lagos. According to the Archbishop, the recent Priestly Ordination has necessitated the appointment and transfer of some Priests in the Archdiocese. He said: “After a prayerful reflection, we hereby make the following appointments and transfer of priests with effect from Wednesday, September 29, 2021.
Parish Priests: Church of the Annunciation Festac – Fr. Pius Omofuma; Church of the Visitation, Festac – Fr. Simon Okelezo; Church of the Presentation, Ikeja GRA – Fr. Panachy Ogbede; Church of the Assumption, Falomo – Fr. Francis Ike; St. Patrick, Alaba – Fr. Francis Anyanwu; St. Ferdinand, Ipaja – Fr. Jerome Akinyemi; Regina Mundi, Mushin – Fr. Peter Ayangbola ; St. Lawrence, Isheri Olofin – Fr. Joseph Nwanua; Blessed Tansi, Magbon – Fr. Michael Omughele; St. Michael, Lafiaji – Fr. Paul Ighabor; St. Rita, Obadeyi – Fr. Michael Afrifa; St. Alphonsus, Ira-Ojo – Fr. Anthony Nworu SMMM; St. Michael, Ilogbo Eremi – Fr. Jude Kanu ; Church of the Presentation, Agiliti – Fr. Peter Ekwenuya MSP; Queen of All Saints, Adaloko – Fr. Francis Babatunde; St. Monica, Igbogbo – Fr. Gasper Olanrewaju; Ss. Timothy and Titus, Isheri Osun – Fr. Christopher Agboola; St. Peter Claver, Ajao Estate – Fr. Philip Uchendu; St Pio, Aguda – Fr. Gabriel Odunaiya; Holy Trinity, Isashi – Fr. Charles Orekoya.”
The newly created Quasi Parishes and Priests-in-charge include, St. Charles Lwanga, Omotoye Estate, Agege – Fr. Vincent Bankole; St. Augustine, Morogbo – Fr. Peter Azagba [to reside in Magbon]; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Odonla – Fr. Michael Hunkokoe; Our Lady Help of Christians, Iba – Fr. Anthony Amosun; St. Thomas Villanova, Abata – Fr. Christopher Olagbemi; Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, Era-Awori – Fr. Joseph Monye, St. Joseph, Ishawo – Fr. Oviemuno Obi, OMV;St. Catherine, Of n-Ile – Fr. Alfred Omoleye ; St. Anthony, Ipakodo – Fr. Emmanuel Egbedike OSA; Immaculate Heart, Maya – Fr. Henry Ukegbu; Our Lady of Fatima, Adamo – Fr. Patrick Azubuinye; St. Timothy, Bayeku – Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu and Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Oyewole, Aguda – Fr. Peter Williams CMF. The newly appointed Associate Priests and their parishes are: St. Mary, Ajegunle – Fr. Gabriel Sekunda; St. Brigid, Ijesha – Fr. Francis Adekoya; St. Michael, Lafiaji – Fr. Stephen Nnama; Our Lady of Apostles, Ilupeju – Fr. Harrison Okoli, Ss. Philip and James, Lekki – Fr. Simeon Reuben; Divine Mercy, Lekki – Fr. George Chiedu; St. Patrick, Alaba – Fr. Nnamdi Franklin; Seat of Wisdom, Okota – Fr. Paul Okobi; St. Cyprian Oko Oba – Fr. Anthony Ntia OSJ; St. Paul, Ebute Metta – Fr. Peter Abiona ; St. Francis, Oregun – Fr. Thankgod U. Akpos CSsp; Ss. Joachim and Anne, Ijegun – Fr. PaulMary Otukpe; St. Joseph, Victory Estate – Fr. Maximus Emerenini MSsCc; Holy Redeemer, Shibiri – Fr. Michael Osamor; St. Anne, Itire – Fr. John Ukwa SDV; St. Theresa, Ifako – Fr. Gabriel Osiegbu; Church of Presentation, Festac – Fr. Martin Ozonwafor; Ss. Peter and Paul, Somolu – Fr. Mark Tizhe; Our Lady Mother and Queen, Badore – Fr. Michael Mensah. The newly ordained priests and parishes are: St. Andrew, Kweme – Fr. Boniface Aniebue ; Holy Family, Ajara – Fr. Joseph Odozi; Sacred Heart, Odogunyan – Fr. John Madu; Holy Rosary, Ibeju Lekki – Fr. Michael Ekoja; Blessed Tansi, Magbon – Fr. Theophilus Inegbeneboh; St. Stephen, Iwaya – Fr .Stephen Izebuno. Other appointments in the archdiocese include, Dean of Festac Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki; Dean of Satellite Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu; Dean of Ipaja Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Jerome Akinyemi; National Director of Social Communications – Very Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh; National CYON Chaplain – Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Odunaiya; Lagos Archdiocesan Rep at CAN Lagos State – Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Ogunyase; Assistant Director of Education – Rev. Fr. Vincent Bankole; Assistant Director of Social Communications – Rev. Fr. Joseph Oyekunle. Appointments in the Directorate of Vocations are: Vocations Director – Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos; Asst. Vocations Director 1 – Rev. Fr. Leon Houessou ; Asst. Vocations Director 2 – Rev. Fr. Collins Ugochukwu. Appointment in the Chancery is the Secretary to the Archbishop – Rev. Fr. Paul Ariole.
Archbishop Martins disclosed: “We have made the above appointments with view to enhancing the evangelization Mission of the Church in our Archdiocese, and renewing the vigour with which we carry out pastoral care of Christ’s faithful. We expect everyone to give their very best, indeed give all they have, to ensure growth of the faith and its practice among our people.” On what is expected of the priests, he said: “We expect all Parish Priests and Priests-incharge who are having to move from one parish to another, to ensure that they prepare the required documents i.e., Handover notes, Parish accounts, and an inventory of the Goods of the Church entrusted to their care. These should be made in triplicates to be submitted before they depart to their new parishes: one submitted to the Dean of the Deanery, another submitted to the Chancery, and a copy left for their Successors, in their respective parishes. “All priests moving to other parishes should ensure that outstanding Quarterly Returns are made before leaving for their new Parishes. All parish accounts should be carefully done and updated before leaving the parish, as we plan to send in auditors to audit the accounts, immediately after the movements.” The Archbishop commended the priests to the care of Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy and Star of Evangelization, as he wished all who have new assignments the best of God’s blessings.
