Birth & Early Life

Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Okonkwo Gbuji was born on the 29th day of October 1931 to the family of Late Catechist Alexander and Agnes Gbuji of Akwukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. His birth took place just at the door steps of St. Charles Catholic Church, Ubulu-Uku where his mother had gone for some religious practices. He began his journey of faith with his baptism, three days after his birth.

In 1938, he began his primary education at St. Raphael Catholic School Akwukwu-Igbo and continued at St. Theresa Catholic School Onicha-Olona, making a daily journey of about 5km to the school. Later, he went to live with Fr. Abraham Ojefua at Onicha-Olona Parish, and so, would not need to make the long journey again. He was thus raised up in a very religious way. He was deeply inspired by the lives of some priests he came in contact with, especially Frs. Paul Emechete, Abraham Ojefua, J. C. Lyons SMA and the Seminarians who lived with them.

After his primary education, he went to St. Theresa Minor Seminary Oke Are, Ibadan from 1947 to 1951. In 1952, he proceeded to St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Benin-City, where he studied Philosophy from 1952 to 1954. While doing his pastoral work at Agbor under Fr. Hilliard, he got a message from his bishop, Bishop Kelly, to prepare to go to Rome to continue his formation.

He left for Rome in 1955 for studies in company of now Francis Cardinal Arinze and Late Msgr. P. G. Ugboko, the first indigenous Rector of Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan. He was ordained a priest on November 23, 1958 at the Propaganda Fidei Chapel, Rome by the Prefect of the Congregation, Pietro Cardinal Agaginian.