By Romanus Okoye
Bishop Denis Chidi Isizoh, the pioneer Bishop of Aguleri Diocese, this morning celebrated 40 years of priestly ordination, including 10 years as a bishop, in a ceremony attended by senior government officials and ecclesiastical dignitaries.
Governor Charles Soludo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solomon Chukwudobelu, and Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Chief TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, attended the celebration, which highlighted the partnership between the Church and Anambra State government.
Speaking at the event, Professor Chukwudobelu emphasised the collaborative relationship between Bishop Isizoh and the state government in providing moral and social services to the people. He commended the bishop for his dedication to serving in what he described as “a very tough terrain, being almost the most disadvantaged area.”
“The Bishop and the government are in partnership in moral and social services,” Chukwudobelu stated, citing various areas of cooperation between the Church and state government. He further pledged personal support to the diocese’s development initiatives.
Commissioner Nwabunwanne also offered congratulations to the bishop on his milestone anniversary, acknowledging his significant contributions to the spiritual and social development of the diocese over his four decades of service.
In response to the government’s expressions of support, Bishop Isizoh, who was ordained priest on 28th September 1985 and consecrated bishop on 1st May 2015, acknowledged the difficult operating conditions in his diocese whilst praising his clergy’s commitment. “All the Church workers in Aguleri Diocese were aware of the tough terrain but made a deliberate choice to work there,” the bishop said. He expressed appreciation for the dedication of all reverend fathers working with him despite challenges in accessing certain areas within the diocese.
Taking advantage of the government presence at the ceremony, the bishop utilised the occasion to make specific requests to Governor Soludo for additional development projects in the diocese. He thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of connecting a road to Nzam, referencing his participation in the governor’s visit to Olumbanasa.
However, Bishop Isizoh emphasised that further developmental interventions are needed, specifically calling for the construction of quality schools, improved living conditions for residents, resettlement programmes for Allah/Onugwa communities, and support for St Paul’s Seminary, Igbariam.
The celebration comes as the Aguleri Diocese, established on 12th February 2023 from territories carved out of Onitsha Archdiocese, continues to experience significant development under Bishop Isizoh’s leadership. The diocese spans 1,388 square kilometres across Anambra West and East, Oyi, and Ayamelum Local Government Areas, serving 357,965 Catholics amongst a population of 1,857,060 residents.
Since his installation on 17th March 2023, Bishop Isizoh has overseen several historic milestones for the young ecclesiastical territory, including the diocese’s first priestly ordination ceremony, where he ordained the Reverends Menuba Damian, Okonkwo Innocent, and Edozie Christopher.
The bishop’s remarkable journey to this milestone celebration reflects decades of dedicated service. Born on 24th January 1956, Bishop Isizoh brings extensive experience from his previous role as Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha and Titular Bishop of Legia.
This morning’s 40-year celebration underscored the bishop’s transformation from a newly ordained priest four decades ago to his current position as shepherd of 63 parishes served by 38 priests in one of Nigeria’s newest Catholic dioceses. The diocese, which celebrated its first anniversary in 2024, continues to position itself as a model for newly established ecclesiastical territories across Nigeria under Bishop Isizoh’s pastoral leadership.
