Nigeria: Pope Francis names Bishop Ayah of Ogoja as Bishop of Uyo

Pope Francis has named Bishop John Ebebe Ayah to head the Diocese of Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. At the time of his appointment, Bishop Ayah was heading the Diocese of Ogoja in Cross River State. The 54-year old bishop will however continue to serve Ogoja Diocese as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, Latin for "at the disposition of the Holy See."

Bishop Ayah was first appointed bishop of Ogoja on 14th of October 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Diocese of Uyo has been vacant since the naming of its former ordinary, Archbishop  Joseph Effiong Ekuwem as Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar in February last year.