By Philip Yatai

The Catholic Diocese of Zaria on Friday confirmed the passing of its pioneer Bishop, Most Rev. George Dodo at the age of 65.

The Diocesan Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nake, who announced this in Zaria said Dodo died in the early hours of Friday following a brief illness.

“While we enjoin all to pray for his peaceful repose, information regarding his burial will be announced as soon as possible,” he said.

Dodo was born on April April 17, 1956, the second child of the family of Mr and Mrs David Dodo of Zuturung Mago Village, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He was enrolled into St. Patrick’s Primary School, now LEA Primary School, Zuturung Mago in January 1964 for his Primary Education and finished in 1970.

He graduated with a General Certificate Examination (GCE) from St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Zaria, in May 1977 and enrolled into Augustine’s Major Seminary Jos on Aug. 27, 1977, where he studied philosophy and theology.

Dodo also bagged a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan in July 1981, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Theology conferred upon by the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome in Sept. 1983.

He was ordained a deacon in the Archdiocese of Jos, Plateau State, in Oct. 1983, and was raised to the order of the presbyterate on June 18, 1983, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Kaduna.

His first place of pastoral assignment was the cathedral of St. Joseph in Kaduna, where he served as the Assistant Cathedral Administrator between July 1983 and June 1984.

He became the Parish Priest of St. Dennis’ Parish Danladi, from June 1984 to July 1985 and Parish of Priest of St. Patrick’s Parish Dogon Kurmi from July 1985 to June 1987 all in present Zaria Diocese.

Dodo left Nigeria in June 1987 for further studies with the Jesuits of Rosehill Campus, Fordham University, Bronx-New York, USA, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Care/Counselling and Parish Ministration and Leadership.

He later went back to the same University of Fordham for an Advanced Professional Diploma between July 1989 and Dec. 1990.

After completion of his studies, he came back and served as Parish Priest, St. Francis, Zonkwa, now in Kafanchan Diocese, Feb. 1991 to Aug. 1991 and Parish Priest, St. Matthew’s, Television, Kaduna Oct. 1991 to Dec. 1994.

He also served as the Parish Priest, Our Lady of Apostles, Independence Way, Kaduna, between Dec. 1994 and March 2001 before his elevation as the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, in 2007.