Okei hails Cardinal Okogie at 90, credits him, parents for life of discipline, service

Michael Olumide

President, Organization of African Unity–South Carolina (OAU-SC) and Grand Knight Emeritus, Sir Tonna Okei, has paid glowing tribute to Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie on the occasion of his 90th birthday, describing the revered cleric as one of the greatest influences in shaping his values of discipline, faith, and service to humanity.

In a congratulatory message signed in the United States and made available to journalists, Okei said the opportunity to serve under Cardinal Okogie as a young Mass Server in the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese remains one of the most significant experiences of his life.

According to him, the experience, alongside his admission into the Army Command Secondary School, Ojo Barracks, Lagos, constituted the two greatest gifts his parents ever gave him.

“These two experiences instilled in me an uncommon spirit of discipline and punctuality,” Okei stated.

“Serving the Lagos Catholic Diocese and Cardinal Okogie was a blessing and a privilege that groomed us. As a lad from a strong Catholic family, I was enrolled early as a Mass Server when Cardinal Okogie was Archbishop of Lagos. Under his tutelage, he reinforced the positive values my parents had taught me. Under his watch, I witnessed practical discipline for the first time and developed a deeper love for God and the Catholic faith.”

Okei noted that the strong foundation laid under the guidance of the celebrated cleric shaped his journey in church leadership and community service over the years.

He recalled serving as Vice President of St. Paul’s Benin City Mass Servers before becoming a Minister of the Word in the Dublin Diocese, Ireland. He subsequently rose to the highest rank of Worthy Grand Knight and later served as Chancellor. He currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus.

The Agbor, Delta State-born cultural ambassador also reflected on Cardinal Okogie’s courageous public interventions during Nigeria’s years of military rule and the country’s transition to democracy.

“He was widely known for speaking truth to power. He fearlessly criticized government corruption, defended religious freedom and fought against the seizure of mission schools,” Okei said.

He further highlighted the remarkable growth of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese under Cardinal Okogie’s leadership, noting that during his tenure as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from 1994 to 2000, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and Archbishop of Lagos from 1973 to 2012, the archdiocese expanded significantly and witnessed the establishment of numerous educational institutions, including Augustine University and several secondary schools.

Describing Cardinal Okogie as a champion of justice and the downtrodden, Okei said the Emeritus Archbishop’s humanitarian interventions transcended religious and ethnic boundaries.

“His humanitarian efforts are legendary. He notably volunteered to take the place of Safiya Hussaini, a woman sentenced to death by stoning under Sharia law in 2002. That act of courage drew global attention and contributed to her eventual release,” he said.

Now, Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Cardinal Okogie, remains one of Nigeria’s most respected religious leaders and moral voices.

Born in Lagos on June 16, 1936, to a royal family from Uromi in Edo State and a Yoruba mother, Cardinal Okogie was ordained a Catholic priest in 1966 and elevated to the rank of Cardinal in 2003.

Okei himself is widely known for his advocacy for good governance, people-centred leadership and cultural preservation. He currently serves as President of OAU-SC, Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees of the Knights of Columbus, Notary Public, member of the South Carolina Cultural and Linguistic Committee, community leader, cultural enthusiast and Lead Analyst in the Quality Assurance Department of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

He concluded by wishing Cardinal Okogie continued good health, peace and divine grace, praying that his enduring legacy of faith, discipline and selfless service would continue to inspire generations of Nigerians and Catholics around the world.