PROFILE: Venerable Prof. Samuel Ike, Bishop-Elect, Diocese of Enugu
Venerable Professor Samuel Obiajulu Ike was born on September 16, 1963.
He gave his life to Christ in January 1977, in form 1, at Federal Government College, Enugu. He was Treasurer and Bible Study Secretary (SCM) at FGC, Enugu. He was School President, Nigerian Conference of Christian Medical and Dental students (NCCMDS – now CMDA), Bible Study Secretary and, later President, Christian Union, at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).
He also served variously as Sub-zonal President, NIFES Enugu Subzone; Zonal President, NIFES Nsukka Zone; EFAC Enugu Zonal Council member; Scripture Union Supporters’ Forum (SUSF) Foundational Secretary and member; Haggai International Alumni Association Enugu Chapter Chairman; and is currently, Board Member, Haggai Alumni Association of Nigeria as well as Scripture Union Enugu Regional Chairman.
Training: He graduated from College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (MBBS), in November 1987. He had his residency specialist training at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu (UNTH), qualifying as Consultant Physician and Cardiologist (FMCP), in June 2001. He also holds the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (Sept. 2021). He was awarded a Foundation Fellowship of the Nigerian Cardiac Society (FNCS), in 2018.
He also attended Trinity Theological College, Umuahia (Sandwich), from 2004-2006, and emerged as best graduating student, with Distinction (Dip Th. Distinction); and Haggai Institute for Advanced Leadership Studies in Hawaii (USA), in April 2013, where he obtained Certificate in Leadership Studies, and was the Session Valedictorian. He obtainedthe B Th.(1st class honours) from the Institute of Theology and Missions, Enugu, affiliated to PaulUniversity, Awka, in July 2022.
Some Positions Held: He was appointed a Junior Resident doctor in Medicine in UNTH in June 1995, became a Senior Registrar in May 1998, and Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, UNTH (1999 – 2001). He was appointed Consultant Physician and Cardiologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, in 2002, and also appointed to Lecturer I position at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, in 2002. He was promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2005, and became appointed a Professor of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, in October, 2010. He has been a member of the Senate of the University of Nigeria, since 2010.
He has been Head of Department of Medicine of the University of Nigeria/ Teaching Hospital, (2014 – 2016). He also consulted as the Consultant Honorary Physician and Cardiologist to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, from 2006 to 2020. He has been pro bono Consulting Physician and Cardiologist at the Enugu Diocesan Mission (Good Shepherd Specialist) Hospital, since 2005.
Publications and Conference papers: He has published over 85 articles in various peer-reviewed national and international journals, with numerous other general interest and religious publications. He has presented over 91 papers in conferences. He is a recipient of Emeritus Professor Nwokolo Prize for Academic Excellence – Highest Academic Honour in the College of Medicine UNEC, Academic staff winner (2008); and the Vice Chancellor’s Prize for best 10-published lecturers of the University of Nigeria (2016).
Ministry in the Anglican church: He was the Student Coordinator of Protestant Chapel Worship Services at the Fed. Govt. College, Enugu (1980/81). He waslicensed a lay-reader, as a medical student (Oct. 1985) by late Bishop Gideon Otubelu, and was the Vice Chairman, Chapel Council, Chapel of Redemption, UNEC (1984/85). He was made a Deacon (Dec. 2004) by Archbishop (then Rt. Rev.) Dr. E.O. Chukwuma and ordained Priest (Dec. 2006) by Archbishop (then Rt. Rev.) Dr. E.O. Chukwuma. He was preferred a Statutory Canon of the Cathedral (Oct. 2008) by Archbishop (then Rt. Rev.) Dr.E.O. Chukwuma; and preferred Archdeacon (Sept. 2011): by the Most Rev. Prof. E.O. Chukwuma (OON), the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Enugu diocese.
He has been a Curate at Christ Redemption Church, Ogui, Enugu (2004 – 2009).
He was Chaplain at the Chapel of His Resurrection, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu – from where they planted 8 other rural churches – seven (7) of which he has supervised as Supervising Priest for between 1 year to 2 years, respectively, from 2010.
Supervising Priest over:
– Mount Olives Anglican Church, Amagu Ugbawka, from Feb 2010 – Mar 24, 2012;
– Anglican Church Of Resurrection (ANCOR), Isiogbo Nara, from Feb 2011- Dec 19, 2013;
– ANCOR, Imeama Nomeh, from Nov 17, 2013 – April 29, 2015;
– ANCOR, Ndiagu, Umuokwuo, Akagbe Ugwu, from May 17, 2015 – Oct 26, 2016;
– ANCOR, Amafor-Ihuokpara, from Nov 20, 2016 – May 9, 2018;
– ANCOR, Amechi Obuoffia, from May 2018 – April 28, 2021;
– ANCOR, Ukwa, Agbani, from Nov 21, 2021 – Oct 11, 2022;
Churchbuildings have been constructedin each of these 8 communities, and vicarages built in 6 of them. He has equally seen to the construction of 4 other church buildings, both at the Chapel of His Resurrection, GRA, Enugu and the Chapel of Restoration, Old Site, UNTH. He is currently the chaplain at the Chapel of Restoration, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (Old Site), Enugu.
He has been the Archdeacon, Hospital Chaplaincy Archdeaconry, Enugu diocese, since 2014.
He has been a Conference, Synod, Retreat speaker and bible expositor across denominations and various fellowship groups, all over the country, since 1987, as well as at Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) – organized DIVCCON.
He is married to Dr (Mrs) Ruby, and they are blessed with 3 young adults.