Asaba, Delta State – Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Diocese of Warri following the death of its Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha, who passed away at the age of 78 on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
In a formal message released through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba on Monday, January 19, 2026, Governor Oborevwori described the late prelate as a "revered servant of God" whose exemplary life of faith, humility, and dedication to humanity left a lasting legacy on both the Church and broader society. He expressed profound sorrow at the loss, underscoring Bishop Afareha's decades of priestly and episcopal ministry characterized by spiritual discipline, pastoral simplicity, and steadfast commitment to nurturing the Catholic faith, especially within the Warri Diocese.
“The passing of Bishop Afareha is a great loss not only to the Catholic Church but to Delta State and humanity at large,” the Governor stated. “He was a father, shepherd, and man of deep prayer whose life exemplified service, sacrifice, and obedience to the will of God.” Oborevwori extended sincere sympathies to the current Bishop of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the clergy, religious sisters and brothers, the lay faithful of the diocese, and the immediate family of the deceased. He prayed for divine comfort and strength to sustain them during this period of mourning.
The Governor also offered prayers for the eternal repose of Bishop Afareha's soul, asking Almighty God to grant him everlasting peace and reward his lifelong devotion to the Church and service to mankind.
The announcement of Bishop Afareha's death came from the Catholic Diocese of Warri itself on January 18, 2026. In an official communique signed by Bishop Ewherido, the diocese expressed "profound sorrow, yet with a firm hope in the resurrection," commending the Bishop Emeritus's soul to God's infinite mercy. The statement highlighted his role as a devoted shepherd, spiritual father, and man of profound prayer who impacted countless lives through unwavering fidelity to God's will and humble pastoral leadership.
Born on March 10, 1947, in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, to the late Mr. Edward Afareha and Mrs. Rebecca Afareha, John Okeoghene Afareha began his educational journey at St. John the Baptist School in Oleh from 1953 to 1959. His early formation laid the foundation for a vocation that would define his life. He was ordained a Catholic priest on December 30, 1973, by the late Bishop Lucas Olu Chukwuka Nwaezeapu of the then-Warri Diocese.
Following ordination, Fr. Afareha served in various capacities, including as an apostolate worker at the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Seminary in Effurun and at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri until 1975. His ministry spanned pastoral assignments across parishes, seminary formation roles, and administrative duties that demonstrated his theological depth, administrative acumen, and pastoral care.
On March 3, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Warri, with episcopal consecration following on May 14, 1997. He later succeeded as the Diocesan Bishop on March 29, 2010, and was installed on March 30, 2010, serving until his retirement on April 18, 2022, upon reaching the canonical age of 75. During his tenure as Bishop, he oversaw significant growth in the diocese, including the establishment of new parishes, chaplaincies, educational initiatives, and pastoral programs amid the challenges of a diverse and rapidly urbanizing region in Delta State.
The Diocese of Warri, erected on March 10, 1964, by Pope Paul VI and carved from the Archdiocese of Benin City, covers approximately 11,000 square kilometers in Delta State. It serves a Catholic population of over 270,000 faithful across numerous parishes and chaplaincies. Bishop Afareha's leadership bridged generations, emphasizing catechesis, youth formation, family life, and vocations while maintaining strong ties with the broader Nigerian Catholic community.
His retirement in 2022 saw the appointment of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze as Apostolic Administrator, followed by the elevation of Rev. Fr. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido as Bishop-elect on December 28, 2022, and his consecration on February 9, 2023. Bishop Ewherido, the second indigenous bishop of Warri after Afareha, now leads the diocese as it mourns its emeritus shepherd.
In response to the loss, the Diocese of Warri directed that Masses for the repose of Bishop Afareha's soul be celebrated in every parish and chaplaincy until the Month’s Mind Mass, a traditional period of mourning and prayer. Tributes from clergy, religious, and lay faithful have poured in, describing him as a humble leader whose firmness in faith and fatherly heart left an enduring imprint.
Governor Oborevwori's message reflects the high regard in which Bishop Afareha was held beyond ecclesiastical circles. As a prominent figure in Delta State's religious landscape, his contributions to moral guidance, community harmony, and spiritual development earned respect from political leaders, traditional rulers, and citizens across ethnic and denominational lines.
The passing of Bishop Emeritus Afareha marks the end of an era for the Catholic Diocese of Warri and a moment of reflection for the faithful in Delta State. Amid grief, the diocese and its supporters draw solace from the Christian hope of resurrection, trusting that his devoted service will be eternally rewarded.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon by the diocese, with likely state honors and widespread participation reflecting his widespread influence.
