Bishop of Awgu
John Ifeanyichukwu Okoye was born on August 4, 1950, in Owelli (Diocese of Enugu). After completing his primary education in Owelli and Nsukka, he entered St. Peter Claver Minor Seminary in Okpala (1968) and subsequently All Hallows Seminary in Onitsha (1969–1970). He pursued philosophical and theological studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu (1971–1978) and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Enugu on July 22, 1978. He served as Secretary to the Bishop (1978–1980) and as Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor (1980–1983); during this period, in addition to these roles, he acted as hospital coordinator and director of the diocesan land committee (1978–1983). He later undertook advanced studies in Rome, obtaining a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute and subsequently a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Angelicum (1983–1994). Since 1995, he has served as a professor and formator at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu, where he currently also serves as Rector.