CITATION ON THE RT. REV. INNOCENT UCHECHUKWU ORDU
The Rt. Rev. Innocent Uchechukwu Ordu (Justice of The Peace) was born on August 3rd, 1961 at Rumuobiokani, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
EDUCATION:
He attended All Saints’ Primary School, Rumuokwurusi and Oro-Evo Group State School Rumurolu, Obio respectively from 1970 to 1975 and obtained the First School Leaving Certificate. He was admitted into Stella Maris College, Harbour road, Port Harcourt in September 1975 and graduated in June 1980 with the West African School Certificate (WASC) O’ Level.
While in Stella Maris College, He was the assistant Bell Ringer of the School during his class three and early class four days. He was later appointed the College Chapel Prefect for the 1979/1980 academic year and was at a point declared the best performing prefect by the principal, Chief Augustine Ali Akene, now late.
Between 1980 and 1981, he enrolled at the Rivers State School of Basic Studies, Creek Road, Port Harcourt (now college of Arts and Science, Rumuola) and obtained the General Certificate in Education, GCE O’ level. While waiting for admission into the University, he enrolled into the Distant Learning Programme of the London School of Journalism and Television, Hermitage, Berks and graduated in 1982 with a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication.
That same year, he gained admission to study History at the University of Port Harcourt, a course he later abandoned for Foreign Languages and Literature. In the 3rd year of the programme in 1984, he proceeded on the “year abroad” which took him and his course mates to the Université de Grenoble, France.
He was awarded a Diploma in French Language Studies at the end of the programme. Back to the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria in 1985, the Rt. Rev. Innocent U. Ordu was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) in Foreign Languages and Literature on completion of the 4-year programme in 1986.
Many years after his formal university education, Rt. Rev. Ordu received a divine call into the priestly (ordained) ministry of the Anglican Church. His training in Church ministry took him to the Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, Abia state where he obtained a Diploma in Theology with Distinction and as the best graduating student in 1995. This was followed much later by a post graduated Diploma in Linguistics and Communication Studies from the University of Port Harcourt in 2005.
WORKING EXPERIENCE:
He was a French and Literature in English teacher at Government Secondary School, Gamawa, Bauchi State between 1986 and 1987. This was during his National Youth Service. He continued teaching and life in academics between 1988 and 1993. His first port of call after Youth Service was Bishop Crowther Memorial Junior Secondary, Rumuobiokani, Port Harcourt, where he taught French and Literature in English between 1988 and 1992.
As a reward for excellence and hard work, the Rt. Rev. Ordu was made Vice Principal of the same school in 1989, barely one year after employment.
The very next year, 1992, he was appointed the Principal. The Rt. Rev. Ordu took leave of academics and became a Training Coordinator with Adadrill Ltd. Port Harcourt, but like lightening, he was back in education, this time as Principal, Christ College, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate, Port Harcourt, between 1992 and 1994.
MINISTERIAL EXPERIENCE:
He was ordained Deacon on May 16, 1995 and on the 11th of August, 1996 he was made a Priest. Then came his installation as Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral Diobu, Port Harcourt on October 23, 1999. July 27, 2002 witnessed his Collation as an Archdeacon of the Anglican Church.
Between 1996 and 2009 he held several positions at the Parish and Diocesan levels. He served as Vicar, Archdeacon and Rector respectively at St. Andrew’s Rumuobiokani, St. Barnabas, Igwuruta, St. Peter’s, Isiokpo, Ikwerre Archdeaconry, St. Mark’ Elelenwo Deanery and St. Peter’s, Rumuepirikom Deanery, Port Harcourt.
He served in several committees of the Diocese of Niger Delta North including serving as Director of Studies for Clergy Continuing Education, Chaplain, Diocesan Adult Sunday School Ministry and League of Anglican Media Practitioners, and Chairman of the Diocesan Clergy.
As a Priest, he was on a number of occasions sent on external missions/evangelistic outreaches. This took him to countries like Cameroun and Ghana. Church missionary activities/trainings have taken him to some other African and European countries including the Holy See (The Vatican).
EPISCOPAL MINISTRY:
He was elected the Pioneer Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Evo (out of Niger Delta North Diocese) on Friday 22nd May, 2009 at the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) which took place at the Crowther Chapel, Lokoja, Kogi State. He was formally consecrated on Sunday 12th July, 2009 at St. Peter’s Church, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State and enthroned the following day, 13th July at All Saints’ Cathedral Church, Rumuokwurusi.
The Rt. Rev. Ordu has as his areas of interest, working for the success of others in ministry, evangelism, church planting and living a life of example and good conduct
He is married to Mrs. Chinyere Uchenna Ordu, Principal, Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls’ School, Elelenwo and the marriage is blessed with a daughter, Uchechi Bel-Ann.