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Biography of Venerable Dr Ogom Josiah Nsaka

Biography of Venerable Dr Ogom Josiah Nsaka

Ogom Josiah Nsaka (November 24, 1948 – February 7, 2021) from Ogbekenu, in Onicha Olona, Delta State, Nigeria was an Educationist, the Pioneer Registrar of Education, Delta State and retired Permanent Secretary in the Delta State Civil Service Commission of Nigeria. He was also an Adjunct Professor at Southern National Theological Seminary in the United States. He is notably known as a prominent Evangelist, a church planter and an ordained Anglican Minister of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion whose passion was to populate heaven and depopulate hell.

Early Life and Education

Venerable Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka was born into the family of Late Diokpa & Mrs. Nsaka Ojeaba of Ogbekenu Village, Onicha Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. He spent his early years living with his uncle, Onye Nkuzi Samuel C. Monye, a headmaster. He was baptized in 1955 at CMS Church, Ashama (now St. Andrew's Anglican Church) where he also attended Primary School. Due to frequent transfers of his uncle, Ogom attended many other primary schools which included CMS School, Idumuje Ugboko 1956; St. Peter's CMS School, Onicha-Olona 1957 and finally to Pilgrim Baptist Primary School, Obomkpa in 1959 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate Exam (FSLC) under Dr. Egwu of Obior, the Headmaster at that time. 

As in his elementary years, Ogom Josiah Nsaka attended many secondary and tertiary schools due to the Biafra war. He attended CMS Secondary Modern School, Akwukwu-Igbo, 1960-1962: Provincial Teachers' Training College, Igueben, 1965-1966; Benin-Delta Teachers; Training College, Ekenwa, Benin City, 1966-1967; Pilgrim Baptist Teachers' Training College, Issele-uku, 1968 where he obtained the Teachers Grade II Certificate.

He taught briefly in both primary and secondary schools and through the University of London passed his GCE O-level and A-levels in a record time. He entered for the Teachers' Grade I and was one of the few persons that passed the Teachers' Grade I Examination in Bendel State in 1973. He taught Geography and Christian Religious Studies in Central Academy, Ogwashi-uku before he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1974. 

He graduated in 1977 with honors, earning a Bachelor’s in Education/Geography. He proceeded to do his master’s in business administration (MBA) in Western New Mexico University, Silver City USA. Passionate for the gospel having earlier received a calling from God through a vision. He evangelized for several years and actively engaged in revival and mission fields. These revival and mission fields included the Scripture Union (SU), Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) and several other non-denominational ministries passionate in the spreading of the gospel. 

He later proceeded to Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan from 1988-1991 for a Theological degree. His desire for continuous learning and hard work led him to pursue his doctorate degrees at Walden University, USA from 2009 - 2010 and North Central Theological Seminary, Minnesota, USA from 2013 - 2017. He became an Adjunct Professor at Southern National Theological Seminary, USA in 2019.

Educational Qualifications

Venerable Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka had the following qualifications: B.Sc. Education and Geography in June 1977. Master’s in Business Administration in May 1983, Diploma in Theology, Dec 1991, Harvard Certificate in Quality Education in 2007 and Doctor of Ministry (Ph.D.) in 2017. He obtained several other certifications and trainings during his career and was awarded several honorary doctorate degrees by various prestigious universities in Nigeria and the United States due to his outstanding work in life and ministry.

Civil Service Career

Venerable Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka was employed by the Former Bendel State (now, Edo and Delta State) Civil Service as an Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Benin City from 1978 to 1981. He took a study leave for his MBA from 1981 to 1983 after which he returned to resume his position. He was then promoted to Senior Education Officer between 1984 and 1986. He became the assistant Registrar of Examination in the Ministry of Education, Bendel State from 1978 to 1991. 

After the creation of Delta State, he became the pioneer Registrar of Examination in the Ministry of Education, Delta State, Asaba from 1991 to 1995. He was then promoted to Director of Education in various departments of the Ministry of Education from 1996 to 2007 such as the Higher Education Department, Inspectorate Department, Personnel Management Department, Planning, Research and Statistics department. In 2008, he was appointed as Permanent Secretary in charge of Millennium Development Goals, Delta State Civil Service, Asaba, Nigeria from which he retired.

Ministry Career

Venerable Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka began his ministry in 1991 as an ordained priest in Payne Memorial Anglican Church, Benin City from 1992 to1996. He then relocated to Asaba, Delta State after the State’s creation, where he served as vicar in charge of both St. Philip's Anglican Church, AGGS, Asaba and Chapel of Resurrection, Anwai from 1992 to 2000.

From 2000 -2004 he served as vicar at All Saints Cathedral Church, Asaba, where he was ordained a Canon and later a Venerable in the diocese of Asaba. From 2004 to 2007, he served as vicar at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Issele Azagba. During the same period, he was made a Chaplain and vicar at the Chapel of Redemption, FCE (T.) Asaba. 

He led the board of missions and evangelism in Church planting where he planted several churches and served, amongst them include St. Peter's Church, Elenchele where he oversaw from 2006 – 2010, St. Mary the Virgin, Umuagu, Asaba where he served from 2009-2012. 

From 2010-2013, he planted a parish and served at Church of the Good Shepherd, Summit Junction, Asaba. From 2013-2016, he was posted to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Asaba where he tirelessly continued his service to the Lord. Most of these assignments were under his capacity as the Chairman, Board of Missions and Evangelism, Diocese of Asaba, Anglican Communion which he held for 15 years from 2003 till 2018. He was committed to kingdom advancement and deeply passionate about church growth up until his retirement. 

In the words of the Bishop of Asaba, Rt. Rev. Justus N. Mogekwu in the book titled The Key for Effective Church Planting in the twenty first century authored by Ogom Nsaka, he said, “Ven Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka has tenaciously pursued the vision and mission of the church to the last minute of his official retirement from the church by writing this very important church planting book. Dr. O.J Nsaka has worked for 27 years as a Priest. Out of it, he served as Director of Missions and Evangelism for 15 years. He is therefore the best person to write a book on this allimportant subject”.

In addition to his kingdom stewardship and zeal for church growth, he also became a Lecturer in Bible Study Methods, Evangelism and Church Planting in Asaba Diocesan Bible College from 2016 to 2018. During the same period, he was commissioned to Supervise the newly planted churches and Mission Areas in the Diocese of Asaba. From 2012 to 2018, he was a member of the Diocesan Education Board, Asaba Diocese. 

From 2016 to 2018, he was Chairman, Synod Report Writing Format Committee. From 2010 till 2018, he was Provincial Representative, Church of Nigeria Artifacts & Historical Board, Abuja, Nigeria. It should be noted that Ven. Dr. O. J. Nsaka was always assigned to more than one church at a time throughout his ministerial work up until his retirement. 

Ven. Dr. O.J. Nsaka oversaw the planting of many churches which includes the following: Church of Ascension, Onicha-Olona; Our Savior's Anglican Church, Azubugwu; St. Peter's Anglican Church, Elenchele; New Life Anglican Church, Issele-Azagba; Our Saviour's Anglican Church, Ezenei, Asaba; St Barnabas Anglican Church, Bonsaac, Asaba; St. James' Anglican Church, Akwukwu Igbo; St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Umuagwu, Asaba; Church of the Good Shepherd off Summit Junction, Asaba.

Philanthropy

His love for his roots drew him passionately to seek the spiritual, educational and social development of his hometown, Onicha Olona. This includes his desire to champion the missionary efforts to conduct yearly conferences and evangelistic crusades alongside the indigenous ministers in the community. For several years, he served as Chairman of UBACHIKA Scholarship Foundation alongside its founder, Sir. Chika Chiejina. 

He was also a member of the Sunny Odogwu Scholarship Foundation for several years. He served as the Chief Patron of the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF) for 30 years from 1991 to 2021. He also personally assisted as many as he came across, in whatever capacity he could.

Awards

Venerable Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka has received several awards and a few of them are listed below:
• The Education Merit Award (December 14, 2016) by Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Delta State Nigeria.
• The Award of Church Inspirator (November 13, 2016), Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Asaba.
• The Honorary Award as Chief Patron (July 2015) by Nigerian Christian Corpers
Fellowship, Delta State Chapter, Nigeria.
• Award of an Ambassador of the Christian Faith (December 19, 2015) by St. Stephen's Parish Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion).
• Award of Service (November 2, 2014) by All Saints Anglican Church, Asaba in Commemoration of her 81 years Anniversary.
• Philanthropist Award (May 13, 2012) by Anglican Youths Fellowship, St. Peter's Anglican Church, Onicha Olona.
• Award of an Ambassador of the Christian Faith (June 29, 2014) by the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, Asaba.
• Award of Excellence by Women Conference (Home and Abroad) St. Peter's Anglican Church, Onicha Olona.
• Award of Excellence (September 4, 2010) by Christ Power International Mission, Azungwu. Quarters, Ogwashi-uku, Delta State, Nigeria.
• Award of Excellence in Administration (Accounting & Probity) (November 24, 2006) by the Frontline News, under Millennium Excellence Award.
• Vocational Service Award by Rotary Club, Asaba Central on Wednesday July 4th, 2018.
• Diocese of Asaba conferred on Ven. Dr. Ogom Josiah Nsaka, the priest award of Leadership in Missions and Evangelism (Church Planting).

Biography of Venerable Dr Ogom Josiah Nsaka

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