Joseph Edra Ukpo

His Excellency Joseph Edra Ukpo
Archbishop Emeritus of Calabar
Appointed	17 December 2003
Term ended	2 February 2013
Predecessor	Brian David Usanga
Successor	Joseph Effiong Ekuwem
Previous post(s)	Auxiliary Bishop of Ogoja and Titular Bishop of Chullu (1971–1973) Bishop of Ogoja (1973–2003)
Orders
Ordination	25 April 1965
Consecration	19 September 1971 by Thomas McGettrick
Personal details
Born	(1937-06-06)6 June 1937 Okpoma, British Nigeria
Died	1 March 2023(2023-03-01) (aged 85)

Joseph Edra Ukpo (6 June 1937 – 1 March 2023) was a Nigerian Catholic prelate who was the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Calabar from his appointment in 2003,[1] succeeding Brian David Usanga [de],[2] until his retirement in 2013.[1] He had previously been the first Nigerian-born and black African bishop of the Diocese of Ogoja, which is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Calabar.^[citation needed]

Ukpo was born at Okpoma in the Cross River State.[3] He was the brother of Nigerian politician Anthony Ukpo.[4] Ukpo died on 1 March 2023, at the age of 85.[1] He died from a brief illness in Calabar after serving as a priest for over 50 years.[5]

He Grace was ordained a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja on 25th April 1965.[5]

He was later appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese on 24th April 1971 and on 1st March 1973, he was appointed as the substantive Bishop of the Diocese until he was appointed the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar on 17th December 2003.[5]

References

1. Cheney, David M. "Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo". Catholic-hierarchy.org.
2. "Archdiocese of Calabar: Archbishop Brian David Usanga resigns, bishop Joseph Edra Ukpo appointed". Agenzia Fides. 17 December 2003.
3. "UKPO, (Bishop) Joseph Edra". Biographical Legacy & Research Foundation Nigeria. 30 March 2017.
4. "Ukpos to bury three family members in 12 days". Calitown. 19 September 2021.
5. Ulom, Frank (2 March 2023). "Catholic Emeritus Archbishop Joseph Ukpo dies at 85". Converseer. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

Further reading

• Jake Omang Otonko, ed. (2017). The golden pearl & celebrated icon : Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo : essays in honour of the Archbishop at his 80th Birthday. Kaduna, Nigeria: Pyla-mak Services Ltd.

External links

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Brian David Usanga	Archbishop of Calabar 2003–2013	Succeeded by Joseph Effiong Ekuwem
Preceded by Thomas McGettrick	Bishop of Ogoja 1973–2003	Succeeded by John Ebebe Ayah
Preceded by —	Auxiliary Bishop of Ogoja 1971–1973	Succeeded by —
Preceded by Marc Lacroix	Titular Bishop of Chullu 1971–1973	Succeeded by Franco Mulakkal