Anthony Ekezia Ilonu

Anthony Ekezia Ilonu ( born November 13, 1937 in Nightcaps, † 17 June 2012) was Bishop of Okigwe.

Life

Anthony Ekezia Ilonu received on 19 December 1964, the ordination to the priesthood for the Diocese of Umuahia.

Pope John Paul II appointed him on 24 January 1981 for the Bishop of Okigwe. The Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Nigeria, Carlo Curis, consecrated him on 29 March of the same year the bishop; Co-consecrators were Francis Arinze, Archbishop of Onitsha, and Anthony Gogo Nwedo CSSp, Bishop of Umuahia.

On 22 April 2006, Pope Benedict XVI. his health conditional resignation and appointed the Coadjutor Bishop of the same diocese, Solomon Amanchukwu Amatu, as his successor.

He was very active against the introduction of Sharia, the Islamic legal system, coverage in northern Nigeria. He was involved on behalf of the Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria ( CBCN ) for the Catholic Youths of Nigeria.