UGHEOKE MOURNS THE PASSING OF HIS GRACE, MOST REV. AUGUSTINE OBIORA AKUBEZE, METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP OF BENIN CITY.
Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is with profound sorrow, yet with firm hope in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, that I received in rude shock the passing into eternal glory of our beloved Shepherd and Father in Faith, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, who was called home to the Lord on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Our Archbishop was a humble servant of God, a faithful pastor, a man of deep prayer, wisdom, simplicity, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel of Christ. Through his fatherly leadership, he touched countless lives, strengthened the faith of God’s people, and guided the Archdiocese with love, courage, and pastoral zeal. His life remains an enduring testimony of faithful service to Christ and His Church.
On behalf of my family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, the priests, religious, seminarians, the family of our late Archbishop, and all the faithful who mourn this great loss.
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
May the Lord whom he served so faithfully grant him the reward of eternal life. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, together with all the saints and angels, welcome him into the eternal joy of God’s Kingdom.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
May God console us all.
-Hon. Joseph Ayegbeni Ugheoke (JP), Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development, South-South Development Commission(SSDC)
