By Elizabeth Ameh
Despite over a decade’s insurgency in the North-East, the vocation to the Catholic priesthood remains strong in the Diocese of Maiduguri, as five young men were on Thursday raised to the Order of Priesthood.
The ordination, which took place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Maiduguri, on 22nd October, 2026, officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri, Most Rev. Oliver Dashe Doeme, marks another milestone in the history of the diocese.
In his homily to the ordinands, Bishop Doeme said many members of the church are devastated, depressed, rejected, traumatised and in pain.
The five Deacons awaiting priestly ordination. Credit: Advocatus Africa.
You are sent to comfort those who mourn
“The Church is sending you to go and minister to these people. You are sent to comfort those who mourn, give hope to the troubled, counsel them, strengthen those who are weak, and assure those who are persecuted that their reward is in heaven,” he said.
Quoting the Second Vatican Council in its Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis No. 17, Bishop Doeme said priests should regard material goods as gifts from God, maintaining the right relationship with all possessions.
The Litany of the Saints. Credit: Advocatus Africa.
“The Council further states that priests or bishops should not have anything that will turn the poor away. Let priests set aside every appearance of vanity in their possessions,” he quoted.
He described it as a powerful teaching from the Catholic Fathers, adding that a priest’s lifestyle should not in any way be a barrier between him and the people he is called to serve.
“His humble manner of dressing, use of money and attitude towards the poor should communicate that he is approachable and available,” he said.
Bishop Doeme said today marks another milestone in the history of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri.
“By the grace of God, five young men will be raised to the Order of Priesthood. Last year, nine others were ordained in Mubi. With this, the number of priests in the diocese would have crossed 100. Seventy-five priests were ordained during my time,” he said.
“Despite the insurgency, the vocation of the priesthood remains ever strong – Bishop Doeme
He said, “Despite the insurgency, the vocation of the priesthood remains ever strong, the harvest is great, the labourers are also increasing. This is marvellous in the eyes of the Lord.”
The Bishop urged the Church to continue to pray for the new priests that they will remain available and faithful to the end, and that they will be holy priests.
“Without holiness, the priesthood becomes just a terrain,” he said.
“We thank God for all of you who have journeyed in this vocation for 10 solid years. The Lord has been faithful and you have been cooperative through the grace of God. You have gone through different storms to reach this day. What will happen to you today is not a promotion. It does not mean you have arrived. No, it is consecration, as Bishop Bakeni said two years ago during one of our priestly ordinations,” he said.
The Laying on of hands. Credit: Advocatus Africa.
“The Church teaches that from today you will become another Christ, Alter Christus, a representative of Christ the King,” Bishop Doeme said, advising the priests to guard against material possession and not be distracted from their calling.
He called on the Church to support the priests to thrive in their calling.
The five deacons ordained as priests include Saminu James Bojerah, Mark Patrick Tada, Solomon James Yawal, Stephen Iliya Bafu and Joshua Akim Festus.
One of the ordinands, Rev. Fr. Solomon James, said his desire to become a priest started from childhood.
“I told my parents and they supported the idea before I bought a form for the seminary after my secondary school. Words cannot express how happy I am to witness my ordination. It will remain memorable in my life. The 10-year journey to priesthood has not been easy, but to God be the glory, I am what I am because His grace has been with me throughout the journey,” he said.
The Kiss of Peace. Credit: Advocatus Africa.
My commitment as an altar server motivated my calling – Fr. Tada
Another ordinand, Rev. Fr. Mark Patrick Tada, said he does not know how to express his joy and thanked God for the call to the sacred priesthood.
“My commitment as an altar server motivated my calling to become a priest. I served many priests and the desire grew over time. I heard God telling me to go into priesthood,” he said.
Fr. Patrick, who is the only son among four daughters, said it was not quite easy at the beginning, but with God’s intervention, his parents are happy today that he is a priest.
Both priests asked God to bless their new vocation and sustain them in moments of difficulty to carry out their work faithfully.
