Parish of the Good Shepherd

I did all my seminary formation in Nigeria and was ordained Catholic priest on 1st July 2006. I belong to the Spiritan Missionary Congregation. After my ordination I served as assistant parish priest for three years in Nigeria before moving to South Africa in the year 2009 as a Missionary. I served as parish priest of two parishes and a Mass center that had no church. We used someone’s property as a Mass center until the space was no longer available for us. We were stranded and discouraged as it was a poor community, and we didn’t have resources to build a church. With courage, we moved to an undeveloped land belonging to the Catholic community (Mass center). We cleared the ground and bought a tent which we used as a shelter from different weather conditions during Mass. We worked together to raise fund for building of a church which we completed before I was transferred to another church. In the year 2018 I decided to have a sabbatical leave in the UK and was sent to Scotland where I served as the parish priest of St Sophia’s parish Galston and St Paul’s Parish Hurlford until September 2025 when our provincial superior and the leadership team posted me to Dover. With enthusiasm as a servant, I have come and hope that we shall work together to continue the mission of Jesus Christ here in Dover, Aylesham and beyond.

I was ordained permanent deacon in 2003 in the Diocese of Leeds. The word ‘deacon’ is from the Greek word diakonos; to serve. The deacon is ‘a living icon of Christ the servant within the church.’ With the relevant bishops permission, I provide service to the Parish of the Good Shepherd (St Paul’s and St Finbarr's) and to Our Lady of Dover, Buckland. As deacon, I fulfil the 3 areas of responsibility, namely; service to the altar, service to the word, and service to the poor. I am currently the chair of Christians Together in Dover, Vice Chair of Governors at St Richard's Catholic Primary School, a Youth Alpha Facilitator and Lead Money Coach for Dover Money Course.

Born and brought up in Dover, I attended St Paul’s Primary School and St Edmund’s Secondary School. I moved to Bristol where I lived for over 30 years bringing up five sons and working for Bristol Old Vic Theatre School as their Finance Officer. I moved back to Dover in 2013 and became Parish Secretary in 2016, shortly after St Paul’s amalgamated with St Finbarr’s. I love Dover and being part of parish life.

I have lived in Aylesham all my life, and I am part of community life here. I became a Catholic 11 years ago, after attending St Finbarr's church in Aylesham. I have two business's that I run from my home. I run a walking group to help people get out and about and meet new people. After St Finbarrs and St Pauls amalgamated, my ministry seemed to be in Dover. I am a street pastor which I love doing, getting out in the community getting to know the people of Dover. I help at the night shelter, soup kitchen and Community Table, where we feed people with food and love.