Bekeh Ukelina Utietiang was born in a little town called Obudu, in Cross River State of Nigeria. He began elementary education at Holy Child Primary School, Obudu and completed it at St. Charles' Primary School, Obudu. He received his six years of secondary education at Pope John Paul II Minor Seminary, Ogoja, Government Secondary School, Obudu and Begiading Secondary Grammar School, Ohong all in Cross River State.
Born into a large family of 10, Bekeh is the 8th Child. Looking back to his early years, he is always grateful to his family for all he is today and what the future holds for him. His parents created a family that reflects the vision of the domestic church preached by Pope John Paul II. Daily attendance at Eucharistic celebrations, weekly confessions, apostolic ministry with the Legion of Mary and total consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are the hallmark of the devotions offered to him by his family at a tender age. His vocation to the Catholic Priesthood which remains the central point of his life today was inculcated in him and nurtured by his family.
After high school, Bekeh proceeded to Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa were he successfully completed the A/Levels program in Government, Sociology and Business Administration. Being ever willing to study more and feeling the deep desire to become a priest, Bekeh started a philosophy degree at Claretian Institute of Philosophy, Owerri and transferred one year later to Dominican University, Ibadan. Bekeh holds a Bachelors degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria, the premier university of West Africa. In 2003, Bekeh was accepted into the Masters degree program at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. In the Fall of 2005, Rev. Bekeh was also accepted into the Religion and Culture department of thesame University. Bekeh graduated in 2007 with a Masters degree in Theology and Religious Studies. Bekeh's two major graduation essay was on the history of Muslim - Christian relations in Nigeria.
Bekeh was ordained a transitional deacon by Most Rev. Michael Bransfield in May 2006 and a priest in June, 2007. Service to the people of God has been the greatest desire of his life. Bekeh sees this service as deeply related with his work in promoting African culture.
Bekeh is a prolific writer and loves traveling. He has great passion for culture and firmly believes that there is hope for Africa. His philosophy of life is: Prayer, hard work and positive thinking lead to success where others fail or do not dare. Bekeh is an author of five books: What is My Faith? (1999); Rediscovering our Identity as Africans (2000); Afridentity: Essays on Africa (2003, 2007); God's Plan For You (2009.) Bekeh continues to write regularly his blog and publishes daily his homilies on his website.
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