AFRICA/NIGERIA - Appointment of Bishop of Yola

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 18 February 2011, appointed as Bishop of the Dioceses of Yola (Nigeria) Father Stephen Dami Mamza, of the clergy of Maiduguri, currently in Ireland studying human development.
The Bishop-elect was born on 30 November 1969 in Bazza, Adamawa State, in the Diocese of Maiduguri. After Ldaba Primary School in Bazza (1976-1982) and secondary school at St Peter's Minor Seminary in Yola (1983-1988), he continued his studies in Philosophy at the Major Seminary in Makurdi (1988-1991) and those in Theology at St Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos (1991-1995). He was ordained a priest on 13 April 1996, for the Diocese of Maiduguri. After his ordination he held the following ministries: 1996 – 1997: Assistant parish priest in Maiduguri; 1997 - 2003: Diocesan Director for Vocations; 1997 - 1999: Parish Priest of Michika and Yaffa; 1999 - 2005: Parish Priest of St Andrew Parish, Mubi; 2005 - 2009: Parish Priest of St Timothy and St Rita in Maiduguri and Diocesan Coordinator of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development; From 2009: He has attended the Kimmage Development Study Centre, Holy Ghost College, in Dublin (Ireland), studying for a Master’s Degree in human development. He was also a Member of the College of Consultants and Diocesan Directors for projects.
The Diocese of Yola, created in 1962, is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Jos. It has an area of 34,850 sq. km and a population of 3,445,000 inhabitants, of whom 180,652 are Catholic. There are 26 parishes served by 37 priests (28 diocesan and 9 religious). There are 26 religious sisters and 38 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/02/2011)