Archbishop Adewale Martins Replaces Msgr John Aniagwu As Parish Priest

‎.....Fr Fadairo takes over‎

                 Msgr. J. K. A Aniagwu 

‎At last, the news the parishioners of St Leo's Catholic Church Ikeja, Lagos, dreaded to hear is delivered to them. 

Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Kanebi Asuquo Aniagwu, their darling priest, ceases to be the Parish Priest of St. Leo's, and will soon bid good bye to the parish he has pastured for 30 years. This comes as part of a major shake up that sees the appointments and transfers of many other priests in the Archdiocese.

‎The information is contained in a circular released on Monday, August 25, and personally signed by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, and addressed to all the priests and religious in the Archdiocese.

‎The circular reads in part, "In keeping with the Church's mission of promoting evangelization and building authentic communities of engaged Catholics, we hereby make the following appointments and transfer of priests in our Archdiocese with effect from 30th September, 2025."

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, incoming parish priest, St. Leo's Ikeja 

Msgr. John Aniagwu, who marked his 54th anniversary of priesthood on August 15, is to be replaced by the former parish priest of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, who doubles as the Episcopal Vicar, Ikeja Region.

‎Also affected in the major reshuflement, is the Assistant Parish priest of St. Leo's Catholic Church Ikeja, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Omoroke, SMMM, who is now the new parish priest of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ibonwon.

     Fr. Emmanuel Omoroke SMMM 

The Archbishop singled out two eminent senior priests, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu and Very Rev. Msgr. Bernard Ayodele Okoduwa for special tribute for their "selfless and completely dedicated way they have served God and the Archdiocese."  

‎"I will like to use this opportunity to profusely thank Rt. Rev. Msgr. John K. A. Aniagwu and Very Rev. Msgr. Bernard Ayodele Okoduwa for the selfless and completely dedicated way that they have served God and the Archdiocese in their combined over 100 years as priests in the Archdiocese. They have played a significant roles in the life and growth of the Archdiocese and we are all grateful for their faithful services over the years.

          Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Okoduwa 

‎He however added that "As they relinquish service as Parish Priests, they will continue to work and serve God in the Archdiocese in other ways that the Lord calls them to serve."

‎Msgr. John Aniagwu was appointed the Parish Priest of St. Leo's Catholic Church, Ikeja, in 1995, after his 12 years service as Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, where many priests passed through him, including the current Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins.

       Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins

Fr. John, as many of his parishioners fondly call him __  a testament of their closeness and intimacy with him ___ is a man of rich biography. Born in March 15, 1944, he had his early schools at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, and the Holy Cross Catholic School, Lagos, between 1951-58. He attended St. Theresa's Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, Ibadan, 1959-63, and Major Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, from where he proceeded to the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, between 1965-67; 67-71; Universite de Caen, France, 1969; Goethe Institute, Schwabisch-Hall, Germany, 1970; University of San Francisco, USA, 1974; University of Lagos, 1977-82.

‎He was ordained Priest, at St Dominic's Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos in 1971; became Priest-in-Charge, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Idumagbo, Lagos, 1971-73, and later Asst. Priest at St. Agnes Catholic Church, San Francisco, USA in 1974.

‎ Rector and lecturer at the National Institute of Moral and Religious Education, Akoka, Lagos, 1975-78; Lecturer, Vice Rector and Rector, respectively of Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, 1978- 82; 1982-94, and Parish Priest, St Leo's Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos, since 1995.

‎He was conferred with the prestigious title of "Monsignor" in 1998. A member and former president of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria, Msgr. John is an authority in Education where he obtained his doctorate.

‎He has many publications to his credit among which are, "The Role of Mary in the Work of Salvation", Ambassador Publications, Iperu-Remo, 1992;

‎"Homilies For Our Time", Tony Fred Publication, Lagos, 1993, 1998, and most recent, "The Credo", to mention just a few.

During his 80th Birthday Anniversary last year, Msgr. Aniagwu was asked what he would like to be remembered for, he simply said,

"I would like to be remembered as a priest who was happy to be a priest."

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