Cardinal Okogie Celebrates 90th Birthday and Legacy

Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie celebrated his 90th birthday and 60 years of priesthood in Lagos, attended by 48 bishops and numerous dignitaries. Appointed titular bishop of Masculia and auxiliary bishop by Pope Paul VI in 1971, Okogie became the youngest Catholic archbishop in Nigeria at age 37.

His leadership transformed the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, which grew from approximately fifteen parishes to over a hundred by his retirement in 2012. He is recognized for his unwavering commitment to justice, moral integrity, and Catholic orthodoxy, advocating for human rights even in the face of military dictatorship.

His legacy includes the establishment of numerous educational and healthcare institutions, reinforcing the Church's role in social assistance and community development. Okogie's influence extends beyond the Church, impacting Nigeria's moral and socio-political landscape for nearly six decades.