Pope Francis makes new appointment in Nigeria

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has appointed His Grace, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama as the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

Pope Francis, represented by Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Grace, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, made the announcement on Monday in Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the first plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

NAN reports that Kaigama will take over from His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who reached the retirement age of 75 years on Jan. 29.

Until his appointment, Kaigama was the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Jos and immediate past President of the CBCN.

“We congratulate and pray for Archbishop Kaigama. I know that it is not easy for him. But I told him like Abraham, go out of your land to the land God will show you and God will bless you and make you the father of many people,” Filipazzi said.

The new Catholic bishop of Abuja is a priest of Jukun origin from Taraba.

Born on July 31, 1958, Kaigama studied for the priesthood at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary in Jos and Rome respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Kaigama was ordained priest on June 6, 1981, and was appointed Bishop of Jalingo by Pope John Paul II, now Saint Pope John Paul, and later consecrated as bishop on April 23, 1995.

In 2,000, Kaigama was again appointed by Pope John Paul II to succeed the late Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka as Archbishop of Jos.

More News

President Buhari to Embark on Eight-Day Visit to Saudi Arabia, Perform Umrah

On Tuesday morning, President Muhammadu Buhari will begin an eight-day state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to perform...

Senator-Elect Yar’Adua Commits to Delivering Change for Katsina Central District

Senator-elect Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Katsina Central Senatorial District has vowed to deliver on his campaign promises to the...

Police Arrest Suspect in Brutal Killing of Pregnant Girlfriend in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested Philibus Ibrahim, who allegedly strangled his pregnant girlfriend, 22-year-old Theresa Yakubu, in Tudun Wada Local Government Area...

2023 Polls: Group warns Governor Matawalle over inciting comments, blaming Nigerian military

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER), a Civil Society Organisation, has accused Governor Bello Matawalle of displaying undemocratic tendencies following his...