Ignatius Crosby Ogborun Kattey

 

Ignatius Kattey 

The Most Reverend Ignatius Crosby Ogborun Kattey stands as one of the most illustrious sons of Eleme and a towering figure in Nigeria’s Anglican Communion. A man of deep conviction and spiritual authority, Archbishop Kattey’s life and ministry have left indelible marks not only in the Niger Delta but across the nation. His contributions to the growth of the Church and the cultural identity of Eleme over the past two and a half decades remain a source of inspiration and pride.

BIRTH

Born on August 23, 1948, in Alode, one of the ancient towns of Eleme, Rivers State, Archbishop Kattey was raised in a Christian household. His father, Chief Amos Kattey, was a respected figure in the Nchia district of Eleme.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Ignatius Kattey’s educational journey began at St. Paul’s Catholic School, Obigbo (now Oyigbo) between 1954 and 1959, and continued at National High School, Aba, where he distinguished himself academically.

He went on to earn multiple academic and theological degrees:

-       -- B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering – Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1976)

-       -- Postgraduate Diploma in Education – University of Benin (1986)

-       -- Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling – University of Port Harcourt (1989)

-       --- Certificate in Theology – Trinity Theological College, Umuahia (1983–1984)

-       -- Master’s in Biblical Studies – Christian International Graduate School of Theology, Florida, USA (by correspondence)

This fusion of engineering discipline, educational insight, and theological depth uniquely positioned him for a life of transformative leadership.

RELIGIOUS LIFE AND ECCLESIASTICAL CAREER

Archbishop Kattey gave his life to Christ in 1971 under the ministry of the Scripture Union, where he would later serve as a Zonal Representative. His passion for evangelism and sound doctrine found full expression in the Anglican Church, where he was ordained a priest in 1986.

His pastoral journey spanned several decades and key milestones:

-       -- Served at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Bori LGA

-       -- Founded St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Borokiri, Port Harcourt

-       -- Appointed Vicar and Superintendent, St. John’s Anglican Church, Rumueme (1994) Elevated as Archdeacon of Eleme Archdeaconry (1995) Served as Principal and Director of the School of Ordination, later Staff Development Center, Diocese of the Niger Delta NorthAppointed Episcopal Administrator, Diocese of Uyo (2004)

In September 2008, Kattey was elected the First Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta at the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria. He was consecrated on May 23, 2009, at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Lokoja, and later became Dean of the Church of Nigeria in 2015.

As Bishop of Niger Delta North, his visionary leadership saw the diocese multiply and flourish—giving rise to five new dioceses and expanding the Anglican presence across Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross River States.

KIDNAPPING INCIDENT

On September 6, 2013, Archbishop Kattey and his wife, Beatrice Goa Kattey, were abducted from their home in Port Harcourt. While his wife was released shortly afterward, the Archbishop was held captive for eight days before being released on September 14, 2013. His ordeal drew national attention, and his eventual release—without ransom—was widely regarded as divine intervention.

RETIREMENT AND LEGACY

Archbishop Kattey retired in 2018, having attained the mandatory age of 70. He is blessed with a loving wife, Beatrice Goa Kattey, and seven children, all of whom reflect the values he holds dear.

He is also the author of two important works:

-          Ordination of Women: Give Them a Chance (1992)

-          Handbook on Biblical Preaching (1992)

Archbishop Kattey’s legacy is one of vision, sacrifice, and commitment. Through his ministry, the Eleme identity found expression in the national ecclesiastical space. His rise from Alode to the Deanery of the Church of Nigeria exemplifies how faith, discipline, and purpose can uplift a community’s name.

©Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme

Call for Submissions: "Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Development in Eleme"

Are you an individual who has made significant contributions to the cultural and political development of Eleme over the past 25 to 26 years? Do you wish to have your experiences and insights documented and shared?

We invite you to submit your work for publication in our upcoming volume, Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Development in Eleme. We also welcome posthumous submissions to honor those who have contributed to Eleme's progress.

To learn more and submit your contribution, please contact us through our Facebook page: Two & Half Decades of Cultural & Political Developments in Eleme.

 

The Editorial Team

Editor:

Nwafor Oji Awala

Nwafor OjiAwala is an accomplished author, newspaper editor, and media practitioner with years of experience in private media. He possesses extensive knowledge of theatre, photojournalism, and moviemaking. Currently, he is the publisher of Eleme Today newspaper and Prime Heritage Magazine.

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Contributing Editors:

Fortune Kenya PhD

Dr. Fortune Kenya is an international preacher, conference speaker, Greek and Hebrew scholar, editor, lecturer, poet, and Bible expositor. He holds Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees in Theology.

Fortune Saloka

Fortune Sloka is a poet and author of Swansong (a collection of poems). He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Religious Studies from Babcock University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Uyo, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Calabar.