- Safiu Kehinde
Popular Nigerian Catholic Priest, Rev. Msgr Gabriel Osu has died at the age of 72.
The clergyman reportedly passed away on Friday.
This was however announced in a statement issued on Monda by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
Osu, who was born on Sunday, 5th September 1954, at Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State., was renowned for his advocacy for human rights.
Ordained on December 5, 1981, Osu served for over two decades as the Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
He was known as a “media colossus” who significantly improved the church’s media presence and engagement with social justice issues.
During his time as the director, Osu was responsible for managing media relations, acting as a bridge between the church leadership (particularly Anthony Cardinal Okogie) and the public.
He studied Moral Theology at the Academia Alfonsiano in Rome. while also serving as curate and administrator at the Holy Cross Cathedral.
Osu served as a priest in several parishes, including St. Gregory’s/Holy Child Colleges, Immaculate Conception (Egbe), St. John the Evangelist (Ladipo-Oshodi), St Paul’s (Oyingbo), and St. Michael’s Catholic Church (Lafiaji).
He is an author, with books including The People’s Prayer Book, How to Fight Drug Abuse in Nigeria, and Living Beyond Sanity.
Osu was widely Known for his charismatic, popular approach, as well was for his work in youth development (Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade) and his public advocacy for equity.