Vocal, erudite, witty and deeply spiritual, he comes across as more of a social critic than a Prince. But that is what you get when you come across the person know as Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archidocese of Lagos.

Now , I am not a biographer but from the many that has been written about him, here are some of his bio. for those who may not know him too well.

Born 16th June, 1936 into the Okogie Royal family in Uromi, Edo State South South Nigeria, to an Esan father and a Yoruba mother, he would rather become a priest of the Roman Catholic Church than a Prince in the Uromi kingdom.

Anthony was ordained a priest at age 30, and at age 35 was consecrated Auxillary Bishop of Oyo Diocese, at 67 he was Elevated to the position of a Cardinal. now Archbishop of Lago, he currently is the Cardinal-Priest of Beata Vergine Maria del Monte Carmelo a Mostacciano, in Italy.

 

This great Prince of the Roman Catholic Church who gave me the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2007 , once offered to give his life for a Muslim woman, Safiya Hussaini Tungar-Tudu, a nursing mother whose one-year-old baby girl is at the center of the case, was convicted of having had an illicit sexual affair with a man out of wedlock. in 2002.

He was at one time the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria CBCN, President Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. He was the third Cardinal of Nigerian descent after Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, Francis Cardinal Arinze. John Cardinal Onaiyekan is the fourth. He has inspired many young men and women into the priesthood and religious life.

 

Today, with all the Catholic faithfuls all over the world, we celebrate a rare gift, an enigma and a quintessential Pastor of souls. 80 hearty cheers to him and also happy Golden Priestly anniversary.

Your Eminence, may God grant you the grace of final perseverance!

Ma wo le, Ojise Eledumare . Igba odun, odun kan ni o!

Admultos Annos ! 

OjisiEmezie