The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced the passing of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Owen Amos Ukafia.
In a statement issued by the Communications Officer of the Church of Nigeria, Korede Akintunde, the revered bishop was said to have died after a brief illness.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, made the announcement on Wednesday at the conclusion of a consecration and presentation service.
“It is with a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of God that I announce the passing of our brother, a father in the Lord, and the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Owen Amos Ukafia, who was called to glory earlier today after a very brief illness,” the Primate declared.
He further called on members of the Church to remember the bishop’s family in prayers.
“We request the Church to keep the family he left behind in prayers,” Ndukuba urged, before leading the congregation in a minute of silence to honour the departed soul.
Bishop Ukafia was born on December 5, 1962, in Okoroete, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
His clerical journey began in 1994 when he was ordained a Deacon by the then Bishop of Uyo, The Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Nglass. He was priested a year later and rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Vicar of St. John the Baptist Church, Ikot Ekpene, becoming a Canon in 2002, and an Archdeacon in 2006.
His episcopal career reached its peak on February 8, 2024, when he was elected Bishop of Uyo. He was subsequently consecrated on March 19 of the same year at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Akintunde noted that details of burial arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
