Rev. Fr. Anthony Ifeanyichukwu Chimekwene – Parish Priestto replace Rev. Fr. Augustine Abude who was transferred to St Anthony of Padua Mbiri in Umunede Region to resume on the 4th September, 2024. While Rev. Fr. Peter Anslem Okoka – Assistant Parish Priestis to replace Rev.Fr. Anthony C. Nwaeni posted to Holy Family Catholic Church, Illah of Issele-Uku Region to resume 4th September, 2024.
THE PROFILE OF REV.FR. PETER OKOKA. Rev. Fr. Peter Anselm Okoka is the third child of Late Sir J.C. Okoka and Lady V.E. Okoka was born in the late 80’s. He hails from the wonder city of Ebu, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
He attended Ugbode Memorial Nursery and Primary School Illah, Delta State but before completion, his siblings had already graduated so he had to finish up at Gateway to Success, Ebu Delta State.
After his Primary Education he took interest in the life of the priests he saw around based on the kind of decent life they lived especially those posted to his parish at St. Theresa’s Parish, Ebu and so he longed to be a priest.
His father’s bid to make him discern properly led to his being enrolled for the Federal Government College entrance exam and also upon his request he took the entrance exam for the minor seminary, of which he came out with distinctions in both exams. he was left with the choice of the seminary or the Federal Government College of which he eventually chose the minor seminary (St. Felix Minor Seminary, Ejeme-Aniogor), Delta State.
It is noted that after the secondary education with the minor seminary, it is optional to continue with the major seminary or go to the conventional university, but Fr. Peter wanted to commence with the major seminary but unfortunately he was not taken.
So his father felt that instead of staying at home, he should go to the university, then after graduation he can go back to the seminary. Considering his respect for his dad he oblige but not without numerous efforts of writing application letters to various congregations such as the Jesuit, Josephites and many others.
He proceeded to the University of Ilorin to study Economics, during his studies he had also applied again to the seminary via the Diocese of Issele-Uku without the knowledge of his parents, he successfully completed his first semester but during the second semester he was called that his name has been out for the Spiritual Year, a process to the Major Seminary. This phone call was like a call that cannot be rejected, he immediately called his Elder brother who was also in the same university, packed his things and the next day proceeded to Delta State for the interview. All these happened in 2006/2007.
After the interview, he was successful and was admitted. But then, he had to carry out an aspiracy program in the Bishop’s house and thereafter proceeded to St. John of the Cross Seminary for his spiritual year where he spent a year, this was where he wore his first cassock. After that a ballot was cast by the then vocations director of the diocese to determine which seminarian was going to which major seminary (Bodija or Uhiele), he earnestly prayed for the will of God to be done, with a greater preference to Bodija but as God will have it, he was admitted to the All Saints Major Seminary, Uhiele, Edo State where he studied till his completion.
Fr. Peter has the following degrees:
B.A. Philosophy (University of Benin)
B. Theology (Pontifical Urban University, Rome)
It is also noted that during his seminary days, in 2009 he won the prestigious Mr. Uhiele which is a title accrued to the best seminarian in virtually all facets of the seminary activities, he was also active in sports most especially Tennis where he represented the seminary in various national inter seminary competitions. Until his graduation he held the post of the Head of the Infirmary where he acted as the medical doctor of the seminary.
Fr. Peter is a hardworking, Inspirational, Motivational, Social, Jovial, Intelligent, Spiritual and Prayerful man of God.
His Ordination to the Catholic Priesthood took place at St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, Issele-Uku, Delta State, Saturday, August 19th, 2017.
