By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has appointed Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Okochi as the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), its administrative headquarters.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, by CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, during a send-off ceremony for outgoing senior staff of the Secretariat.
Fr. Okochi, a priest of Awka diocese, succeeds Fr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo, who became the CSN Secretary General on January 1, 2025.
Since joining the Catholic Secretariat in 2019 as Education Secretary, Fr. Okochi has risen through the ranks, becoming Director of Pastoral Agents in 2022.
He will now combine this role with his new duties as DSG.
Fr. Okochi holds degrees from Bigard Memorial Seminary (now St. Joseph Major Seminary) in Ikot Ekpene and Enugu, as well as the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and Fordham University in New York.
Throughout his career, Fr. Okochi has undertaken various pastoral assignments within his diocese and beyond. (vitalnewsngr.com)
