PROFILE OF MOST REV. (DR.) JOHN EBEBE AYAH
Bishop John Ebebe Ayah was born on the 10th of December 1959 to the family of Mr. David Kudong Ayah and Elizabeth Igwu Ayah of Buya village in Bishiri-Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State. As a child, he was taken to Cameroon where he grew up with his aunt, Madam Christiana Kudong whom he loved so much though late. His stay in Cameroon influenced him so much that often people wonder if he is a Nigerian. This is seen in his inter-personal relationships.
He attended Baptist Convention Primary School Limbe, Cameroon, between 1968 and 1975. He began his secondary education but was intercepted by some family setbacks. In 1977, he was home (Nigeria) where his zeal for priesthood increased and he had to be nurtured by Rev. Fr. Kris Owan and through the support and encouragement of Rev. Fr. Anthony Bassey, he finally gained admission into St. Augustine Junior Seminary, Abakaliki where he obtained his WAEC certificate in 1984.
After his secondary education, the love for the Word and his desire to share this Word never allowed him a chance. He was there upon embraced by his Bishop, Most Rev Dr. Joseph Edra Ukpo, then the Bishop of Ogoja Diocese and was asked to do a one-year perfecting in Pope John Paul II Junior Seminary, then situated at Abakpa, Ogoja.
In 1985, he proceeded to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state, [now St. Joseph Major Seminary] where he had his Philosophical studies for four years, then to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu for his Theological studies. During his stay in Bigard, he distinguished himself in various ways and endeared himself to the Seminary formators. He was an auxiliary amongst other functions in the seminary and actually had his name written in the seminary records. These experiences had helped him in no small measure to build up his personality. He is humility personified and simplicity epitomized. This is characterized by his receptive gestures, warmth and objective approach to reality. A man with an angelic voice.
On the 24th of July 1993, he was raised to the order of Presbyter by His Lordship, Most Rev. (Dr.) Joseph E. Ukpo in his home Parish, Mater Redemptorist, Sankwala, Obanliku, as the first Priest from the Parish.
As God would have it, he had a wise and foresighted Bishop that after his ordination, he was to continue the good work he began; his Bishop now posted him to Pope John Paul II Seminary, Okpoma the second time from 1993 to 1994 that he may be pastorally equipped. He was transferred to St. Paul’s Parish, Wanokom where he served for just six months then covering St. Joseph’s Parish, Bansara till last part of 1994.
From December 1994 to September, 1998, he was the Parish Priest of Abuochiche where he assiduously worked towards the creation of the present Ukpah Parish. In all honesty, no one has forgotten his name where ever he had worked. On the 18th of September, 1988, he saw himself warming up for further studies – he went to Leuven, Belgium where he had his doctorate degree in Moral Theology. On his return to the diocese in July, 2005, he was asked to hold brief in his home-Parish till October, 2005, then he was posted as Rector to Pope John Paul II Junior Seminary, Okpoma, the third time. This automatically revealed his leadership qualities: educator, counselor, formator, a humane, caring and understanding father etc.
From the seminary he was named Bishop elect of Ogoja diocese. To him it was a surprise as one could hear him expressing “See me o! Who am I?” But to the generality of the Catholic faithful, it was not. In fact, before their ordination in July, 1993, Rev. Fr. Elias Kekong had foretold at Mass during their retreat at Abuochiche (Spiritual Year Centre) “Be careful in whatever you do, be convinced also of whatever you do and be confident in yourself. What you do may not be the best but provided it is workable. One day, one of you may become a Bishop and I will surely remind you of what you are doing” this is just one among many prophecies told by other faithful of Ogoja.
On Friday, 31st May, 2013, Bishop Ayah was appointed the Apostolic Administrator of Uyo Diocese. The very day of the installation of the Archbishop Ekuwem as the Metropolitan, Archdiocese of Calabar. He worked very hard to
cover Ogoja Diocese as the Bishop and Uyo Diocese as Administrator. After a year and one month, on July 5th, 2014, Bishop Ayah was appointed the substantive Bishop of Uyo.
He chose as his motto: UT DEUS AMETUR “That God be loved” surely through him. This has been his prayer as reflected on his Priestly Ordination invitation card: “keep your love burning steadily in my heart O Lord; and give me the grace to share this love with all your people”. What a prayer answered!
His hobbies include reading, farming traveling and singing.
COAT OF ARM
God has always been revealing himself through signs and symbols. Every shepherd has his own ways or means of reaching out and communicating to his flock. Most Rev. (Dr.) John Ebebe Ayah has chosen as his motto: ‘UT DEUS AMETUR’ (That God may be loved). This is shown in the symbol of heart with other representations.
The hat represents the helmet of salvation, which we all struggle for in our Christian journey.
The 12 knots on the rope represent the 12 apostles and the love that binds them together.
The Cross is the symbol of victory which we glory in and on the Cross, our salvation dawn.
Beneath the Cross is the Ave Maria symbol which represents her role in the life of every Christian and his Lordship has chosen her as a mother who is always there to intercede for him.
The Cross already has divided the symbol of the heart into two equal parts: at the right chamber is the picture of a Good Shepherd carrying the sheep strayed from the fold. While the left chamber is again divided into upper part and the lower part, the upper part shows grassland while the lower part shows rain forest. These represent that the diocese is made up of both grassland and rainforest.
Beneath the shield is written: UT DEUS AMETUR’, taken from 1John 4:7-21. (In summary – That God may be loved).
His Lordship believes that what brings unity among Christians is the love of God, and only through the love we have for one another can we claim our union with the Trinity and with our shepherd. [For God to be loved and worshipped in truth and in spirit we must love one another].
According to Martin Luther King Jr. :
Hatred and bitterness can never cure the desire of fear only love can do that.
Hatred confuses life, love harmonizes it.
Hatred paralyzes life, love releases it.
Hatred darkens life, love illuminates it.