His Eminence, Archbishop Oliver Ali Abah
Recently, the Methodist Church of Nigeria announced the election of Archbishop Oliver Ali Abah as the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria.
Archbishop Abah’s elevation to the apex position in the Methodist church through a keen contest that went into extra time shows that surely there is a prize for humility. This is particularly instructive at this time, considering the high level of moral decadence that have beclouded the body of Christ and the society in general that has left the younger generations in want of role models and mentors.
For the sake of emphasis, Bishop Abah is a rare gem with a hitherto unknown background. His emergence is a louddemonstration of what can God do with anyone who humbles himself before Him.Countless examples of how God lifted those who yielded themselves by breaking boundaries abound in the Bible.
Bishop Abah’semergence as Prelate of Methodist Church is a confirmation of the fact that those who diligently seek the face of God and the wellbeing of his members shall be crowned with glory.
It is interesting to point out that Bishop Abah came from a part of Nigeria that has never produced a Local government chairman, not to talk of governor. With him it has, once again been shown that at God’s appointed time, the sons of men become mere watchers.
His upbringing did not foretellthe crown he is wearing today, as he was born without a golden spoon.
Bishop Aba was born in 1960 to the family of Late Mr. and Mrs. Audu Aba, both of Olachagbaha in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. He began his education at the L.G.E.A Primary School, Okpefie in Okpokwu LGA, Benue State before moving to Lagos Secondary Commercial Academy, Obanikoro, Ilupeju, Lagos State.
He returned to Government College, Otukpa, Benue State from where he completed his secondary education before moving to St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos where he studied Philosophy in 1986.
His quest for knowledge and proper understanding led him to Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan where he obtained a Diploma in Theology and to the Famous University of Ibadan from where he bagged Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Religion Studies and Master of Arts degree in Church History.
He taught at the Government College Kubwa, Abuja during his service to fatherland under the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before beginning his pastoral assignment with the Methodist Church Nigeria, Kubwain 1993.
Between 1994 and 1995 he served as Prelate’s Chaplain before taking the post of Priest at Methodist Church Nigeria, Nyaya Group of Churches.
In 1995 he moved to the Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu as a Lecturer and in 1998 he became the Rector, Hassan Odukale Methodist Theological Institute, Zonkwa, Kaduna State.
He was elevated and ordained Diocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Apa Diocese in 2002, later he became the Diocesan Bishop, Methodist Church Nigeria, Enone Diocese in 2007, a position he held till 2013 when he was ordained Methodist Church Nigeria, Archdiocese of Benue.
His years of service in the Lord’s vineyard has been eventful. In 2012, he emerged as the Chairman of Methodist Board of Theological College, a position he holds till date.
After his election, he gave a hint of what he will be pursing in office, including the desire touse the Church as a platform to tackle corruption in the nation.
To this effect, he said, “This issue of corruption is almost everywhere, and we have to fight it.I also think the church must fight corruption much more than the secular society and we are hoping we are going to sanitize the church.”
According to him, when the Body of Christ is properly groomed in good moral standards, the society will be happier for it.
He has also undertaken to continue with projects already started by past leadership of the Church.
In this regards, he said, “The Church is not like the secular society where a new organization will come in and they abandon projects.Our own may not be like that, we will work on existing one and add new designs to it so that we can be better than before.”
Bishop Abah is expected to assume office on December 1st, 2022.
As His Eminence, Archbishop Oliver Ali Abah prepares to take over the mantle of leadership of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, he deserves our prayers and blessings to ensure that his reign will bring about peace and growth not only in the church but in the country as a whole.