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SPOTLIGHT UTAV

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SPOTLIGHT UTAV

SPOTLIGHT

 

REV. FR. JAMES ORSHOJA UTAV, KSJI

  • SPIRITUAL ADVISER, MSGOBA WORLDWIDE
  • SET 1991
  • PRIEST, PRINCIPAL MSG
  • COMMUNICATION EXPERT
  • LIVES IN MAKURDI, BENUE STATE NIGERIA

 

Fr. James Utav was born on 14th November 1975. He hails from Mbanoghol in Nyiev, Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.

His elementary education began at R.C.M. Primary School Ashigogo (then Lafia

Local Government, Plateau State), and he later moved to Sacred Heart Primary

School Udei (briefly). Finally, he went to L.G.E.A. Mbaatom-

Mbatierev (Gboko LGA) where he completed and obtained First School Leaving Certificate.

After Primary School, he got admitted into the famous Mt. St.

Gabriel’s Secondary School Makurdi where he obtained his SSCE in 1991. While at St. Gabriel’s, he acted as Class Prefect from JSS 3 – SSS 3, was Assistant Choir Master of the school in his final years and was the School Head Boy.

After secondary school education, Fr. James attended the University of Jos where he got an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication.

Feeling called by God, Fr. James joined the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, and took the first step at St, Charles Lwanga’s Preparatory Seminary Aliade. This he did for one year.

Thereafter he proceeded to St. Thomas Major Seminary Makurdi in continuation of the priestly training. Then a Diploma in Religion and Philosophy from the Benue State University and a Baccalaureate (Degree) in Philosophy from the Urban University Rome.

For one year (between 2003 – 2004), Fr. James was on pastoral year experience. He combined the work at Holy Ghost Parish Makurdi and the Marriage Tribunal at the Bishop’s House – ‘A wonderful combination!’ He also used this period to aquire a Certificate in computer appreciation and on completion of the course, went back to the Seminary to study Theology, and was Ordained Deacon on 13th January 2008 by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. A. A. Usuh. He graduated in June 2008 from the Seminary with another Baccalaureate (degree) in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbanian University Rome.

As a Deacon, and on completion of studies from the Seminary, Fr. James was posted to St. Joseph’s Parish Akpehe, Makurdi where he worked for months before he got transferred to St. Simon’s Parish Tsar, Mbaduku where he completed the period of pastoral experience.

His Priestly ordination took place on 1st August 2009 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral with Most Rev. A.A. Usuh as the Ordaining Prelate.

After ordination, Fr. James has served the Catholic Church at different places and in various capacities:

  • Sept 2009 – Sept 2012: St. Paul’s Kyado (Associate Pastor).
  • Sept 2012 – April 2013: St. Paul’s Ahule, Makurdi (Associate Pastor).
  • April 2013 – Sept 2016: St. Francis Xavier, Agagbe (Pastor).
  • Sept 2016 – Sept 2022: St. Paul’s Ahule Makurdi (Pastor).
  • Sept 2022 – Date: Mt. St. Gabriel’s Secondary School Makurdi (Principal).

 

Talking about service to God and the people of God, Fr. James serves the Diocese in various capacities: 

  • Presently, the Diocesan Chaplain of the English Choir.
  • Diocesan Secretary of the Cathedraticum Committee.
  • Deputy Director Social Communications, Makurdi Diocese.
  • Diocesan Coordinator Opus Securitatis.
  • One-time Dean, Iorhom Deanery.
  •  One-time CWO Chaplain, Iorhom Deanery.
  •  One-time Deanery Secretary, Taraku Deanery.
  •   One-time Deanery Secretary, Agasha Deanery.
  •  One-time Chaplain, Laity Council of Agasha Deanery.
  •  One-time Deanery Chaplain, CCN Agasha Deanery. 

 

On the 9th of November 2018, Fr. James Utav was initiated into the Knighthood of St. John International, Saint Theresa’s Commandery 593.

He is currently the Grand Spiritual Director, Knight of Saint John International (KSJI).

Fr. James holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the Benue State University and is now doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with NTI.

Fr. James likes travelling and has been to the United States of America, France and the city of Algodones in Mexico. He enjoys, as part of his hobbies, reading, playing soccer, table tennis, listening to good music, cycling amongst others – For “all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy”. Father James talks very little and for this reason, meditates a lot. He is a very open and friendly person and this tells by how he relates with all around him.

 

 



Posted 6 months ago
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