A BRIEF CITATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY, MOST REV. SOLOMON AMANCHUKWU AMATU, THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF OKIGWE, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Birth and Family Background

Most Rev. Solomon Amanchukwu Amatu was born on January 17, 1950 to the family of late Mr. Pius and late Mrs Rebecca Amatu, of Obinagu Akpu village in Ukpo, Dunukofia LGA, of Anambra State. He is the first child and son among three children.

Educational History

The young Solomon started his educational journey at St. Simon’s Catholic School Ukpo in 1957. In 1964, he completed his primary education and proceeded to All Hallows Seminary Onitsha where he sat and passed the London GCE at ordinary and advanced levels. Between October 1971 and July 1978, he studied philosophy and theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu. Between 1986 and 1990, he also studied Canon Law in Rome where he bagged a Licentiate and a Doctorate degree from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.

Priestly Life and Ministry

Towards the end of his theological studies, he was ordained a transitional deacon of Onitsha Archdiocese on September 3, 1977 by Francis Cardinal Arinze. At the conclusion of his theological studies, he was ordained a Catholic Priest of the newly created Awka diocese on October 7, 1978 by the then Bishop Albert K. Obiefuna (Bishop of Awka Diocese) at St. Simon’s Catholic Church, Ukpo. As a priest he served in these parishes/offices:

S/N	Places worked	Positions Held
1.	St. Charles Catholic Church, Achina October 1978 to March 1979	Assistant Parish Priest
2.	St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ekwulobia March 1979 to August 1979	Assistant Parish Priest
3.	St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Umunze August 1979 – August 1980	Assistant Parish Priest
4.	Immaculate Heart Parish, Uga August 1980 –  March 1981	Parish Priest
5.	Awka Diocesan Secretariat March 1981- June 1986	Chancellor/Secretary
6.	Awka Diocesan Secretariat Oct. 1990 – April 2001	Chancellor/Secretary
7.	St. Joseph’s the Worker Chaplaincy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka October 1990 – October 1998	University Chaplain
8.	St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, Agu Awka October 1998 – October 1999	Chaplain

As the Chancellor/Secretary of Awka diocese, he was a member of almost all the councils and committees. On January 12, 1995, he was made a Papal Chamberlain (Monsignor). In October 1995, he was also appointed Vicar General II of Awka diocese, a position he occupied until his appointment as auxiliary  Bishop. He was also the Moderator of the Curia.

Episcopal Ministry

S/N	Description	Dates
1.	Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Awka and Titular Bishop of Sabrata	December 22, 2000
2.	Episcopal Ordination	April 28, 2001
3.	Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Okigwe	May 28, 2005
4.	Assumed Office as Bishop of Okigwe	April 22, 2006

He has served in various capacities as a Bishop including: Chairman, CBCN Committee on Health; Chairman, Owerri Provincial Committee on Health; Chairman, Owerri Provincial Theological Commission; and Chairman, Owerri Provincial Committee on Sacred Music, among others. As Bishop of Okigwe, he has brought massive spiritual, structural and administrative development to the diocese.