MOST REV. MATTHEW HASSAN KUKAH
Date of Birth: 31st August 1952 Priestly Ordination: 19th December 1976 Episcopal Ordination: 8th September 2011 Address: C/o Bishop House. 1, Aliyu Jodi Road Box 2556, Sokoto State; Ph: 060-232228 Email:[email protected]
MOST REV. KEVIN JOSEPH AJE
(Bishop Emeritus) Date of Birth: April 25, 1934 Priestly Ordination: June 12, 1966 Episcopal Ordination: January 6, 1983
STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE
First Missionaries: Brother Peter Farde; Father Berengario Cermenatti, SMA Land Mass: 45,943 square miles First Bishop: Bishop Edward Thaddeus Lawton, O.P Second Bishop: Bishop Michael James Dempsey O.P.
Third Bishop: Bishop Kevin J. Aje Diocesan Priests: 36 Fidei Donum Priests: 6 Religious Priests: 5 Religious (Female): 33 Seminarians: 38 Catechists: 53
The Ecclesiastical jurisdiction known as Catholic Diocese of Sokoto covers
four States: Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina – all located in the North-West and Muslim dominated region of Nigeria. The headquarters of the diocese is at the seat of the Caliphate.
The history of the diocese begins with the epic transitory visit of the Belgian Fransciscan Brother, Brother Peter Farde, who earned his freedom from captivity in Agadez. Brother Farde traveled south from Agadez passing through present day Sabon-Birni, Shinkafi, Gusau and Kankara then to Kano. It is believed that he
SOKOTO DIOCESE
Province: Kaduna Erection: June 16, 1964baptized as many as 200 slaves including Hausas. In 1870 two Franciscan Priests from Agadez traveled down to Katsina. No significant pastoral work was done then; moreover death was not so sympathetic with them. The history of Sokoto Diocese could also be traced to the missionary journey of Father Berengario Cermenatti, SMA, who visited Sokoto in November 1921, traveling the 400 kilometers on a bicycle from Zaria to Sokoto accompanied by his cook Mallam Audu which led to establishment of the Catholic Church in Sokoto town.
In 1951 when Archbishop Leo Taylor of Lagos gave the Dominican Order the administration of St. Dominic Parish, Yaba Lagos, Archbishop David Matthew, Apostolic delegate to British West Africa also asked them to undertake the evangelization of the North-West of the country especially the proposed Prefecture of Sokoto and Katsina. On June 19, 1953 the civil Provinces of Sokoto and Katsina covering a total (45,943 square miles) were ditched from Kaduna Prefecture to Sokoto, with the Dominican Friars from Chicago, USA in charge. This led to the establishment of six Catholic Missions in Sokoto, Gusau and Yelwa in Sokoto Province then Katsina, Funtua and Malumfashi in Katsina Province. The acceptance of the Dominicans to administer the province led to the appointment of Monsignor Edward Thaddeus Lawton, O.P as Prefect Apostolic of Sokoto Prefecture in 1954. In 1956 Father Louis Nadeau, OP, became the first resident Priest in Sokoto. Sokoto Prefecture was raised
to the status of a Diocese on 16th June, 1964 with Monsignor Edward Thaddeus Lawton, OP, appointed as Bishop. He however died on 19th December, 1966, while travelling from Sokoto to Kaduna.
On the feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15th August, 1967, Bishop James Michael Dempsey, OP, was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, in Chicago, USA. Under Bishop Dempsey, the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto made tremendous progress spiritually and pastorally leading to the training and ordination of young men from the area as Catholic priests.
In 1984, the mantle of leadership for the diocese fell on the shoulders of Most Rev. Dr. Kevin Joseph Aje who was ordained Bishop on 6th January, 1983 in Rome by His Holiness Pope John Paul II and officially installed Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto on April 28, 1985, thus becoming the third Bishop of the Diocese and the first indigenous bishop.
Bishop Aje consolidated on the foundation laid by his predecessor by opening new parishes in all parts of the diocese and other infrastructures and facilities to enhance evangelization in the diocese. On September 8, 2011, Most Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Aje having attained the canonical age, retired as the local ordinary of the diocese and Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah (then Monsignor. M. H. Kukah), succeeded him. as the fourth bishop of the diocese. His Episcopal Ordination and installationtook place onSeptember 8, 2011. The dynamic leadership of Bishop Kukah has, within a short time taken the diocese to greater heights, spiritually, pastorally and in the provision of structures and infrastructures that has made life worth living for the people, irrespective of religious differences and ensured peaceful co-existence of people of all religions in the area.
PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE OF SOKOTO
Names Date of Birth Date of Ordination 1. Keke Joseph 31-08 14-06-1975 2. Atado Joseph 07-07 19-05-1979 3. Nwachukwu Eugene 26-05 26-05-1979 4. Sigo John Arinze 06-12 29-12-197 5. Dube Joseph Woje 06-04 13-08-1988 6. Ike Joseph Ndubuisi 20-11 13-08-198 7. Okoloagu Nathaniel 28-08 15-12-1990 8. Adili John Chimezie 05-03 14-12-1991 9. Ibe Cyril Chidi 02-04 14-12-1991 10. Shuaibu Richard Liti 26-12 28-11-1992 11. Ushe Michael 01-01 28-11-1992 12. Obi Casmir 21-08 01-06-1996 13. Ebosele Albert 25/09 01-06-1996 14. Musa Gerald Mamman 16-01 01-06-1996 15. Iliya Nuhu Mamman 08-10 18-07-1998 16. Tagwai Cornelius Kuhyop 01-03 18-07-1998 17. Okeke Gerald 01-09 18-05-2001 18. Izuala John Ndubuisi 11-05 31-05-2003 19. Nwachukwu Thomas C. 21-12 31- 05- 2003 20. Saawuan Stephen W. 13-12 31-05-2003 22. Onyekwelu Crescent C. 03-12 31- 02-2004 23. Obineche Kelvin 23-02 31-02-2004 24. Emehel LawrenceChike 17-09 26-11-2004 25. Nwafor Michael Chinedu 21-04 15-08-2006 26. Mordi Victor C. 08-04 07-12-2007 27. Cyriacus Onwuharaonye 27-05 22-05-2009 28. Ladi Sixtus Onuh 30-05 09-07-2010 29. Richard Gokum 28-05 16-02-2012 30. Iliya Ibrahim 28-02 16-02-2012 31. Jude Sunday Okpanachi 20-11 22-11-2012 32. Joseph Ekwoanya 10-03 22-11-2012 33. Lemark Peter Francis 15-09 22-11-2012 34. Musa Maiyaki Garba ***** 24-09-2015 35. Mathew Saleh 08-08 24-09-2015 36. Habila Bala Samaila 28-08 29-06-2016
DONUM FIDE PRIESTS
1. Stephen Okafor 01-09 28-07-1999 2. Ango Luka Namji 3. Adikwu Patrick 19-02 05-03-2011 4. Stephen Egwuche 17-11 05-01-2014 5. Christopher Mbanalu 6. Celestine Katung RELIGIOUS PRIESTS
DOMINICAN PRIESTS WORKING IN THE DIOCESE
Mario Celestine Enucbie, O.P. 09-04 19-07-2008 Lawrence Agu, O.P.
Stephen Owusu,O.P. 03-08-1991 MISSIONARY OF ST. PAUL (MSP)
Stephen Ojapah, M.S.P.
Walter Ezenwosu, M.S.P.
PRIESTS ON STUDIES
1. Okeke Gerald (U.S.A) 2. Gokum Richard Emmanuel (Rome) 3. Kevin Obineche (CIWA, Port Harcourt) PRIESTS WORKING OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE
1. Ushe Michael (National Open University) 2. Nwafor Michael Chinedu (Army Chaplaincy) 3. Gerald Musa (CIWA)
PRIESTS ON STUDIES
1. Okeke Gerald (U.S.A)
2. Gokum Richard Emmanuel (Rome)
3. Kevin Obineche (CIWA, Port Harcourt)
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
Vicar General, Administration Very Rev. Fr. Nuhu Iliya Vicar General, Pastoral Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado
Diocesan Chancellor/ Secretary Rev. Fr. Sixtus Ladi Onuh DEANS OF DEANERIES
Sokoto Deanery Very Rev. Fr. Nuhu Iliya
Kebbi Deanery Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado Katsina Deanery Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube Gusau Deanery Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Ibeh Malumfashi Deanary Very Rev Fr. Albert Ebosele Cathedral Administrator Very Rev. Fr. Capt Stephen C. Okafor (Rtd)
Secretary To The Bishop’s Office Sr. Dionysia Okeh, DDL College of Consultors 1. Very Rev. Fr. Nuhu Iliya 2. Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado 3. Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ebosele 4. Rev. Fr. Cornelius Tagwai 5. Rev. Fr. Sixtus Ladi Onuh 6. Rev. Fr. Mario Celestine Emuebie, O.P. 7. Rev. Fr. Cyril Ibeh 8. Rev. Fr Dube Joseph Diocesan Finance Council 1. Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah 2. Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado 3. Very Rev. Fr. Stephen. C. Okafor 4. Rev. Fr. Sixtus Onuh 5. Mr. Sylvester Bagudu 6. Engr . Alex Ijiga 7. Mrs. Rose Ukpong 8. Mrs. Justina Omale 9. Mr Kimpley Ogbe Presbyteral Council 1. Very Rev. Fr. Nuhu Iliya 2. Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado 3. Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ebosele4. Rev. Fr. Richard Shuaibu 5. Rev. Fr. Crescent Onyekwelu 6. Rev. Fr. Stephen Okafor 7. Rev. Fr. Cornelius Tagwai 8. Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube 9. Rev. Fr. Celestine Mario Emuebie.
Director of Social Communications Rev. Fr. Sixtus Onuh Vocations Director Rev. Fr. Francis Peter Dykes Lemark Directors of Religious Education Rev. Fr. Albert Ebosele Rev. Fr. Cornelius Tagwai Director/co-ordinator Of (JDPC) Rev. Fr. Cornelius Tagwai Director of Pontifical Mission Societies (P.M.S.) Sr. Sylvaline Obiezughera, O.P.
Director of Family Life/Doctrine Very Rev. Fr.Capt Stephen C. Okafor (Rtd)
Director of Ecumenism/Inter -Religious Dialogue: Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ebosele Director Diocesan Liturgical Commission: Rev. Fr. John Izuala Director Catechetical Commission: Rev. Fr. Cornelius Tagwai Director Of Health: Sr. Christy Umeadi, O.P.
Education Secretary: Sr. Esther Upaa, O.P.
Judge Of Marriage Tribunal: Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado Opus Securitatis: Rev. Fr. Casmir Obi Chaplains Of Societies And Groups Prison Fr. John Adili & Bro. Andrew Oyati Biblical Apostolate/CBIU Fr. Casmir Obi Youth &Corpers Fr. Cryriacus Onwuharaonye NFCS/YCS
Laity Council Fr. Nuhu Iliya Hausa Choir Fr. Iliya Ibrahim English Choir Fr. Lemark Peter & Sr. Esther Okwor, O.P.
Zumunci Maza Fr. Joseph Dube Charismatic Renewal Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado.
KSM
Very Rev. Fr. (Capt.) Stephen Okafor (rtd) KSJ
Very Rev. Fr. (Capt.) Stephen Okafor (rtd) Coordinator of Marian Devotion Rev. Frs. Joseph Mary Ikeh & Egwuche Steven Chaplain of Health Workers Sr. Christy Umeadi, O.P.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Rev. Fr. Basil Okezie Holy Name Fellowship Rev. Fr. Chukwubueze Onyekwelu Divine Mercy/PreciousBlood/Purgatorian & St. Jude society Rev. Fr. Thomas Nwakwuchu St. Vincent de Paul Diocesan Laity Council Chairman Sir Joseph Maitula (OLF,Gusau).
Secretary Mr. Gerald Onwuka (Holy Family, Sokoto).
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Tertiary Institution 1. St. Joseph Mukasa Catechetical Training Centre, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
Secondary Institutions Holy Family Secondary School P.O. Box 51, Katin Daji Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Martin de Porres College c/o P. O. Box 55, Nagogo Road G.R.A., Katsina, Katsina State.
St. Vincent Ferrer College Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. Patrick Secondary School Illela, Sokoto State.
Seat of Wisdom Secondary School Funtua, Katsina State.
Dominican College Gusau, Zamfara State.
Nursery/ Primary Institutions Holy Family Nursery & Primary School Katin Daji Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Martin De Porres Nursery & Primary School Nagogo Road G.R.A., Katsina, Katsina State.
Maryamu Nursery & Primary School Malumfashi, Katsina State.
Fatima Nursery & Primary School Kaura-Namoda Road Gusau, Zamfara.
St. Patrick Nursery & Primary School P.O. Box 12Illela, Sokoto State.
St. Dominic Nursery & Primary School Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Seat of Wisdom Primary School Funtua, Katsina State.
Comprehensive Nursery and Primary School Jibiya, Katisna State.
St Mary Nursery & Primary School Dustin Ma, Katsina State.St Mary Nursery & Primary School Gidan Koran, Katsina State.
Regis Nursery & Primary School Gidan Yawa, Katsina State.
Maikambu Nursery & Primary School, Gidan Maikanbu, Katsina State.
Mareta Nursery& Primary School Gidan Maichibi, Katsina State.
Likita Nursery & Primary School Gidan Kuruma, Katsina State.
Alheri Nursery & Primary School Layin Minista, Katsina State.
Illimijari Nursery & Primary School Gidan Bala, Katsina State.
HEALTH INSTITUTIONS/CENTRES
Holy Family Mother and Child Clinic and Maternity Bypass Road, Gidandare, P.O. Box 2556 Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Central Clinic and Maternity Funtua Road, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
LIST OF PARISHES AND POSTAL
ADDRESSES
Holy Family Catholic Cathedral Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Matins de Porres’ Catholic Church Katsina, Katsina State.
Our Lady of Family Catholic Church Gusua Zamfara State.
St. Dominic’s Catholic Church Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Funtua, Katsina State.
St. Vincent Ferrer’s Catholic Church Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Illela, Sokoto State.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Layin Minista, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church Jega, Kebbi State.
St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Daura, Katsina State.
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Talata-Mafara, Zamfara State.St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dutsinma, Katsina State.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Old Airport, P. O. Box 62, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. John’s Catholic Church Gidan Kurma, P. O. Box 62, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church Kamba, P. O. Box 66, Kebbi State.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Jibiya, P. O. Box 55, Magama-Jibiya, Katsina State.
St. Joseph Catholic Church Shagari Low-Cost, P. O. Box 55, Katsina, Katsina State.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Argungu, P. O. Box 66, Kebbi State.
St. Kevin Catholic Church Gidan Dare, Sokoto, Sokoto State, c/o Diocesan Chancery P.O. Box 2556, Sokoto.
St. Edward Catholic Church Sokoto Bye-Pass, Gusau, Zamfara State.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.
St. Peter’s Military Chaplain Giginya Barracks, P.O. Box 51, Sokoto.
St. James Catholic Church Farfaru, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Theresa Illela Garage Sokoto Cinema Area, P. O. Box 51, Sokoto.
CHAPLAINCIES
Army Chaplaincy St Peter’s Military Chaplaincy, Giginya Barracks, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Michael’s Military Chaplaincy, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
St. Jacob’s Military Chaplaincy, Katsina, Katsina State, Police Chaplaincy St. James Catholic Church, Farfaru, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Richard’s Mobile Police Barracks, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Prison Chaplaincy Prison Chaplaincy, Sokoto.
SCHOOL CHAPELS
Higher Institutions Chaplaincies St. Thomas Aquinas’ Chaplaincy, UDUS
St. Peter’s Chaplaincy, Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Zamfafa State.
Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau, Zamfara State.
Federal College of Education/ Polytechnic Chapel Katisna, Katsina State.
St. Joseph’s Chaplaincy, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State.
Secondary Schools Chaplaincies Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State Federal Government College, Bakori, Katsina State.
Sacred Heart Chaplaincy, Federal Government Girls College, Gwandu, Kebbi State.
St. Gerald’s Chaplaincy, Federal Government College, Sokoto.
St. Jude’s Chaplaincy, Federal Science College, Sokoto.
Federal Government Girls College, Gusau, Zamfara State.
LIST OF PARISHES IN THE
DEANERIES
Sokoto Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Nuhu Iliya, (Dean) Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Our Lady Queen of Perpetual Help, Old Airport, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Illela,Sokoto State.
St. Kevin’s Catholic Church, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Illela G a r a g e – S o k o t o C i n e m a , Sokoto, Sokoto State.
St. Peter’s Military Chaplaincy, Giginya Barracks, Sokoto.
St. James’ Catholic Church, Farfaru, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Katsina Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Dube, (Dean) Martin de Porres’ Catholic Church, Katsina, State.
St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Daura, Katsina State.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Shagari Low-Cost, Katsina, Katsina State.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, DustinMa Katsina State.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jibiya, Katsina Stata.
Malumfashi Deanary – Very Rev. Fr. Albert Ebosele, (Dean) St. Vincent Ferrer’s Catholic Church, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Layin Minista, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. John’s Catholic Church, Gidan Kurma, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Funtua, Katsina State.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Maikambu Pastoral Area, Kebbi Deanery – Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Atado, (Dean) St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church Jega, Kebbi State.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Kamba, Kebbi State.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Argungu, Kebbi State.Gusau Deanery Very Rev. Fr Cyril Ibeh (Dean) Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Gusau, Zamfara State.
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Talata-Mafara, Zamfara State.
St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Sokoto Bye-Pass, Gusau, Zamfara State.
St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.
St. Thomas Polytechnic Chaplaincy, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara RELIGIOUS SISTERS
Dominican Sisters Working In The Diocese Gusau Community, Zamfara State Sr. Jacinta Nwohiri, O.P.
Sr. Elizabeth Okpechi, O.P.
Sr. Josephine Sodje, O.P.
Sr. Mercy Olumoroti, O.P.
Sr. Ruth Dogmo, O.P.
Sr. Chinyere Anyabara, O.P.
Sr. Blessing Ugwu, O.P.
Sr. Regina Anyaora, O.P.
Sr. Blessing Nwankwo, O.P.
Sr. Theresa Adenike Adewuyi, O.P.
Sr. Comfort Okoro, O.P.
Sr. Mercy Nwodo, O.P.
Sr. Veronica Mbachu, O.P.
Sr. Christiana Ikhane, O.P.
Funtua Community, Katsina State Sr. Regina Chimerelem Onyegbule, O.P.
Sr. Anthonia Otojuiba, O.P.
Sr. Leatitia Okafor, O.P.
Gidan Dare Community, Sokoto, Sokoto State Sr. Mary Hyppa Danladi, O.P.
Sr. Salome Bulus, O.P.
Sr. Mary Danladi, O.P.
Sr. Esther Okwor, O.P.
Mabera Community, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Sr. Esther Udeker Upaa, O.P.
Sr. Sylvaline Ngozi Obiezughara, O.P.
Sr. Perpetual Ameachi Agu, O.P.
Malumfashi Community, Malumfashi, Katsina State.
Sr. Christiana Umeadi, O.P.
Sr. Esther Osuala, O.P.
Sr. Patience Oledinma, O.P.
Sr. Amaka Nwafor, O.P.
Sr. Mary Baiyegunhi, O.P.
Sr. Nancy Gregory, O.P.
Daughters Of Divine Love (DDL), Sokoto Community, Sokoto Sr. Perpetual Ileje (DDL) Sr. Dionysia Okeh (DDL) Sr. Immaculata Anozie (DDL)
