Okpehbolo mourns Nigeria’s oldest Catholic priest, Thomas Oleghe

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commiserated with the Catholic community in the state, following the demise of the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria, Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, who died at the age of 104 on Sunday morning.

In a press statement on Monday, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo said the exemplary life of Fr. Oleghe is a worthy lesson for Nigerians.

He said his humility, sacrifices, and lives touched by Oleghe would never be forgotten, even as he prayed to God to grant his family, the Catholic community in Nigeria, especially the Auchi Diocese, the fortitude to shoulder the huge loss.

Okpebolo said, “Fr. Oleghe hailed from Igiode town in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. Although he lived a fulfilled life and died at the ripe age of 104 years, we will continue to miss his fatherly roles and how he touched many lives.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of late Fr. Oleghe, the Catholic Church Community in Nigeria, especially the Auchi Diocese. May God grant his soul eternal rest, amen.”

PUNCH Online reports that a statement on Sunday by the Bishop of Auchi, Gabriel Dunia, Olegbe passed on at about 2.30 am on Sunday and would be buried on Wednesday.

The statements read, “With gratitude to God for a life well lived on earth, I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as of today, to the great Beyond at about 2.30 am this morning on the 24th of November, 2024.

“He is of the Diocese of Auchi. He died at the age of 104. May his lovely and gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.

“We have resolved to celebrate his funeral on Wednesday, the 27th of November, 2024.”