Appointment of bishop of Ahiara, Nigeria

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., until now titular bishop of Rusgunie and auxiliary of the apostolic administrator sede vacante of Ahiara, as bishop of the diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, C.M.F., was born on 25 March 1960 in Eziama Oparanadim Ekwereazu, in the diocese of Ahiara. After entering the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), he carried out his studies in philosophy at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke, and subsequently in theology at the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu. He gave his perpetual vows on 11 September 1988, and was ordained a priest on 21 July 1990 for his Congregation.

He was awarded a postgraduate diploma in public administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in Enugu, a licentiate in missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and a master of public administration from the National Open University of Nigeria.

He has held the following offices: parish priest at Saint Anthony in Igbo-Ora (1990-1992), bursar at Claretian Theology, Enugu (1992-1997), director of the Department of Spirituality at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke (1999-2000), professor at the Bigard Memorial Seminary of Enugu (2000-2009), prefect of the Apostolate at the Claretian Provincial Curia of New Owerri (2005-2010), parish priest of Saint Paul in Nedeke (2006-2010), provincial of the East Province of Nigeria of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (2010-2022).

He was appointed titular bishop of Rusgunie and auxiliary the apostolic administrator sede vacante of Ahiara, Nigeria, on 14 October 2023, receiving episcopal consecration the following 19 December.