Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos | August 3, 2026
The passing of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has continued to elicit an extraordinary outpouring of grief, admiration, and gratitude from Religious Congregations and Institutes of Consecrated Life across Nigeria. From contemplative communities to missionary congregations, religious priests, brothers, and sisters have spoken with one voice in celebrating a shepherd whose fatherly affection, pastoral wisdom, humility, and commitment to the Gospel left an enduring mark on the Church.
The messages, addressed principally to the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Benin City, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, OSA, reveal a common thread: Archbishop Akubeze was not merely an archbishop to religious communities; he was a father, friend, guide, collaborator, and steadfast supporter of consecrated life.
The Redemptorists, through their Vice Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Michael C. Emerue, CSsR, described the late Archbishop as “a true definition of a shepherd.”
They reflected on the difficulty of speaking of him in the past tense, recalling his humility, gentle disposition, fatherly relationship with the Congregation, and pastoral availability. His reassuring smile, compassionate admonitions, and unwavering support left an indelible impression on the Congregation. With faith in the Resurrection, they expressed confidence that he had entered into the eternal peace promised to the faithful and entrusted him to the maternal care of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
The Religious of the Archdiocese of Benin City, under the leadership of the Acting Vicar for Religious, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Iyere Ashoro, CRS, reflected particularly on Archbishop Akubeze’s profound love for consecrated persons.
They remembered him as a man of deep prayer and spirituality whose episcopal ministry consistently inspired religious through his personal example, concern for the poor, and unwavering commitment to the growth of the Church. Among consecrated persons, he led not merely by authority but by witness, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever remain alive in the hearts of those who worked closely with him.
The Somascan Fathers in Nigeria, represented by their Regional Superior, Fr. Fortunato Romeo, CRS, highlighted Archbishop Akubeze’s unwavering encouragement of their apostolic mission.
They recalled his genuine pastoral charity, wisdom, humility, and integrity, noting that his confidence in their Congregation strengthened their ministry among young people and the poor. His kindness, esteem, and constant fatherly encouragement became a source of inspiration as they continued serving Christ through the Somascan charism.
The Daughters of the Sacred Passion (DSP) celebrated Archbishop Akubeze’s remarkable commitment to evangelisation, Catholic education, and the service of the poor.
Describing him as a shepherd after God’s own heart, they praised his humility, wisdom, unwavering faith, and pastoral zeal which transformed countless lives throughout Benin Archdiocese and beyond. They entrusted his noble soul to Christ, the Divine Master of the Sacred Passion, praying that he would welcome him into the fullness of eternal joy.
The Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV), through their Nigerian Superior, Rev. Fr. Cyril Odey, OMV, offered a deeply spiritual reflection on the Archbishop’s life.
They prayed that the Good Shepherd whom Archbishop Akubeze faithfully served throughout his priestly and episcopal ministry would grant him eternal rest while strengthening the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Archdiocese to bear their painful loss with courage, faith, and hope. They equally invoked the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul and the Blessed Virgin Mary to accompany him into eternal glory.
The Daughters of Divine Love (DDL), through Mother General M. Anastasia Dike, celebrated Archbishop Akubeze as a humble, prayerful, courageous, and compassionate shepherd.
Their tribute emphasised his generosity in placing his many spiritual and human gifts at the service of God and His people. They recalled his simplicity, integrity, fidelity, and compassionate leadership which inspired priests, religious, and lay faithful alike. Even in mourning, they professed their unshaken hope in Christ’s Resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC), Nigeria Province, thanked God for the gift of Archbishop Akubeze’s life of unwavering service to the Church.
They praised his exemplary leadership, faithful witness to the Gospel, and the enduring impact of his ministry upon countless lives. Comforted by the Christian hope of the Resurrection, they prayed that the Lord would reward his faithful and selfless service with everlasting joy and that his legacy would continue inspiring generations to come.
The Adoration Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSH) offered perhaps one of the most emotionally expressive tributes among the messages received.
Writing on behalf of the entire Institute, Superior General Sr. Josephine Aimonota Ebuehi described Archbishop Akubeze as their devoted shepherd, father figure, confidant, greatest supporter, steadfast guide, and faithful custodian of their charism. They spoke movingly of the painful vacuum created by his sudden departure while expressing confidence that the faithful servant had victoriously completed his earthly race and had gone to receive the crown of glory prepared by the Just Judge.
The Order of Discalced Carmelites in Nigeria equally reflected on the profound loss occasioned by the Archbishop’s passing.
While acknowledging the deep sorrow felt across the Archdiocese and beyond, they expressed gratitude for a life wholly dedicated to Christ and His Church. They praised his spiritual leadership, unwavering faith, and enduring legacy, praying that the hope of the Resurrection would strengthen the clergy, religious, and faithful while invoking the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Taken together, these tributes reveal remarkable consistency. Though each congregation spoke from its unique spirituality and charism, all recognised Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze as an authentic shepherd whose humility, fatherly disposition, pastoral wisdom, spiritual depth, and unwavering fidelity to Christ transcended diocesan and congregational boundaries. To religious institutes across Nigeria, he was not merely an ecclesiastical superior but a trusted father, counsellor, collaborator, and friend whose encouragement strengthened their apostolates and whose holy example enriched consecrated life.
As these messages continue to arrive from different parts of Nigeria, they collectively affirm that Archbishop Akubeze’s influence reached far beyond the Archdiocese of Benin City. His episcopal ministry nurtured priests, strengthened religious communities, promoted Catholic education, encouraged missionary initiatives, defended the dignity of the vulnerable, and inspired countless faithful through the quiet eloquence of his life. Though his earthly pilgrimage has ended, the fragrance of his virtues continues to inspire the Church he loved and served with unwavering fidelity.
A Note to Readers
This compilation is not exhaustive. The absence of any diocese, religious congregation, institute of consecrated life, society of apostolic life, or ecclesiastical organisation from this feature should not be interpreted to mean that such a body failed to send a condolence message on the passing of His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze. Rather, this compilation reflects only those messages that were available to the compiler at the time of publication.
This clarification equally applies to the earlier compilation of episcopal tributes, particularly those from dioceses within the Ecclesiastical Province of Benin, whose condolence messages may not have been accessible when that feature was prepared. As additional messages become available, they equally deserve documentation as part of the enduring ecclesiastical record of the immense love, gratitude, and esteem with which the Church in Nigeria continues to honour the memory of the late Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos
Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi & Lecturer at CIWA, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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