The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has announced the death of Rev Fr. Angus Fraser, believed to be the longest serving teacher and missionary in Nigeria.
Fraser, who was aged 87, was born on April 8, 1931 and hailed from a Caribbean Island country called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Announcing the death in a statement on Monday, in Makurdi, Chancellor of the diocese, Fr Jude Ortese said Fraser was the founding principal of Mount Saint Gabriel’s college, Makurdi in 1971 and also the Via Christi Society.
Ortese said the Catholic church “was saddened to announce the death of Very Revd Fr Angus Fraser, the founding Principal of Mt St Gabriel’s Secondary School (MSG), Makurdi, and founder of Via Christi Society.”
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According to him, Fr. Fraser died on the night of October 7, after a brief illness at Princess Royal Hospital, Farnborough, near Orpington, United Kingdom, where he was receiving treatment.
Burial arrangements, according to the statement would be announced later.
The late priest was appointed principal of MSG on July 9, 1971, while the school was founded in January, 1964.
In 2003, Fraser was given a National Award of Member, Federal Republic of Nigeria, MFR, under the then President Obasanjo’s regime and was honoured with the “Lifetime Achievement Awards” by the Former US President, Bill Clinton, as the “Best Teacher in Nigeria.
Fraser also bagged the THISDAY prestigious award of the “Longest serving Principal in Nigeria” in Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2013.
Amongst those he taught in Benue are politicians, technocrats, business moguls, musicians and captains of industry including; one time Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, former Rep. Terngu Tsegba, Herman Hembe and ex Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Michael Aondoakaa(SAN), their Lordships, Most Rev. Dr. William Avenya and Most Rev. Dr. Peter Adoboh, bishops of Makurdi and Katsina-ala dioceses respectively.
