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The Transition Of The Peoples’ Archdeacon

Feature Article The Transition Of The Peoples Archdeacon
MAR 29, 2021 LISTEN

On Sunday, 28 March 2021, St. Steven’s Anglican Church, Umuenyi, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State of Nigeria and indeed the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion remembered one year of the transition of one of their own – the Venerable Dr. Paul Ugochukwu Ekezie, JP, DD.D, MINN, erstwhile Archdeacon of All Saints Anglican Church, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

It was a very moving experience for many of us as we sat there in the church and listened to the Bishop of Isi Mbano Anglican Diocese, the Right Rev. Godson Ukanwa, JP, PhD extol the virtues Ven. Paul Ekezie epitomized and the numerous legacies he left behind.

Paul was born to Mr. Paul and Mrs. Bernice Ekezie of Alaoma-Umuenyi in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. His parents were pioneer members of St. Stephen’s Church, Umuenyi. Paul started his primary school education at St. Stephen’s Church Missionary School, Umuenyi. He lived with his elder brother, Chief Sir Israel Ekezie and so he moved to other schools depending on where his brother was posted to as a primary school teacher. He then attended St. Augustine’s Grammar School Nkwerre for his secondary education and the Merchants of Light Secondary School, Oba in Anambra State for his higher level education. Thereafter, Paul left for overseas to further his education. He attended universities in Italy, Britain and the United States of America. He became well educated. He acquired degrees from Oxford University, Concordia University, Canada and Texas Southern University, Houston Texas, USA. He came back to Nigeria and briefly worked with Hardel and Enic Construction Company before he returned to the US to settle in New York.

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Paul’s entry into the ordained ministry was not accidental. His Christian background meant that the family took religious matters seriously. So, when he mentioned to his family his intention to get fully into the ordained ministry, no one was surprised. After-all, their parents had always wished for one of their children to belong to the ordained ministry.

Many testify that Paul was a tolerant man who had a great respect for his elders. He was kind to a fault. He was so caring and considerate that he could part with his last penny if only it could help the man who was in greater need. He was a courageous and outspoken man of God, always willing to speak truth to power. He bore no grudges for anyone and expected none from anyone.

In a letter of condolence to the Ekezie Family, the Archbishop Metropolitan & Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba said he was saddened by “this huge loss” to the world-wide Anglican Communion and especially the Mission of Nigeria to North America. He condoled with the wife and children of the late Venerable Dr. Paul and wished Paul’s soul to rest in peace.

Also, the Department of Design and Construction of New York City where Paul worked until his transition gave testimony about him as “a devoted employee with the city of New York since 6 August 1990 and a valued DCC staff member since 23 June 1966. He was a highly regarded and irreplaceable Project Manager within the Safety and Site Support Divisions Office of the Geotechnical Investigations” referring to him as “a pleasure to work with whose smile lit up every space he entered”.

All Saints Church Newark where Paul served as Archdeacon also sent representations. The Church described Paul as a true servant of God, the peoples’ pastor, the pastor of pastors, founder and rector of All Saints Church Newark. They said Paul was a “specially gifted priest who took great care of his family, his church and his fellow human beings. He set up men’s, women’s, youth’s and children’s ministries at All Saints. This was one man, they said, who worked like 20 strong men.

It is indeed very humbling to see great minds succumb to the incomprehensible hand of death. But we did not mourn Paul. We would never mourn Paul. We have no reason to mourn him. We have more reasons to celebrate him, to celebrate his life, well lived in the service of God and Humanity.

By Emeka Asinugo, KSC

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