Administrator • Clergyman • Missionary • Bishop • Nation Builder
In the rich spiritual and administrative history of the Niger Delta, few names command as much reverence, dignity, sacrifice, and endurance as Cornelius Torudigigha Izulu — a man whose life stretched across colonial Nigeria, the civil war era, the rebuilding of Rivers State, and the rise of indigenous Pentecostal and apostolic movements in the South-South region.
Fondly called “Daddy”, Bishop Cornelius T. Izulu was more than a church leader. He was a statesman in service, a disciplined civil administrator, a missionary pioneer, a father of nations, and a spiritual patriarch whose impact spread from Nembe to Port Harcourt, Lokoja, Lagos, Yenagoa, and beyond.
Birth, Heritage and Royal Lineage
Cornelius Torudigigha Izulu was born on 27th July 1926 in Yenagoa Town District in the then Eastern Nigeria, now the capital territory of Bayelsa State.
He hailed from Nembe in present-day Nembe West Local Government Area.
He was born to:
- Late Mr. Roland Ishmael Izulu
- Late Mrs. Rhoda Ayebanimiworio Izulu
His father was a staunch Anglican rooted in the historic King Ockiya, Omo and Berena houses of Nembe-Ogbolomabiri, while his mother was a princess — daughter of Amanyanabo Benwari of Nembe Bassambiri. Through both ancestry and character, Bishop Izulu carried the nobility, discipline, and spiritual depth of the ancient Nembe kingdom.
Marriage and Family Life
Bishop Izulu was married to:
Dr. Mrs. Claribel Izulu (née Ateke) in the year 1967.
Their union was blessed with eight (8) children. Prior to the marriage, he had about five (5) children with another woman. Altogether, Bishop Izulu was blessed with a large and influential family whose roots and legacy continue across generations.
He was known as a deeply devoted family man who balanced the enormous demands of ministry, administration, and public service with fatherhood and mentorship.
Early Education and Intellectual Formation
Bishop Izulu’s educational journey reflected uncommon determination and excellence.
Schools and Colleges Attended
- January 1937 – December 1943
St. Luke’s Elementary School, Nembe - 10th January 1944 – 8th December 1948
Kalabari National College, Buguma - 10th January 1972 – 8th March 1972
Institute of Administration, University of Ife, Ibadan Campus - 1st May 1972 – 21st July 1972
British Royal Institute of Public Administration, London
Educational and Professional Qualifications
His academic and professional accomplishments included:
- December 1943 — Elementary Six Certificate
- June 1946 — Overseas Junior Cambridge Certificate
- December 1948 — Secondary School Leaving Certificate
- December 1950 — Overseas Senior Cambridge School Certificate
- December 1961 — Part ‘B’ Intermediate Chartered Institute of Secretaries (CIS)
- 1st April 1972 — Associate Membership Certificate, Nigerian Institute of Management
- 30th June 1972 — Certificate in Administrative Management Techniques, University of Ife
- 2nd October 1972 — Certificate in Advanced Administrative Management Techniques, Royal Institute of Public Administration, London
- 27th February 1982 — Awarded Knight Commander
- 18th May 1983 – 2000 — Life Member, Nigerian Bible Society, Lagos
He was also an erudite scholar who obtained certificates in religious studies through LGSM International, Port Harcourt.
A Distinguished Civil Service Career (1950–1984)
The civil service career of Bishop Izulu remains one of the most extensive administrative records produced by a Niger Delta son of his generation.
Beginning as a humble clerical officer, he rose through diligence, discipline, and integrity into the highest levels of administrative governance.
Major Appointments and Promotions
- 24th April 1950 — Clerical Officer, Marine Department, Records Section, Apapa Dockyard
- 1st April 1957 — 1st Class Clerk, Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation Inland Waterways Department, Forcados
- 1st February 1958 — Acting Assistant Executive Officer (General Duties), Inland Waterways Department, Lagos and Lokoja
- 18th April 1961 — Assistant Executive Officer (Establishments), Lokoja
- 1st April 1963 — Acting Executive Officer, Federal Ministry of Works and Surveys, Lagos
- 7th October 1963 — Acting Executive Officer, Federal Ministry of Defence, Lagos
- 16th March 1964 — Executive Officer, Federal Census Board, Ikoyi Lagos
- 7th January 1965 — Promoted Executive Officer (General Duties)
- 12th July 1966 — Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Board, Port Harcourt
- 13th August 1966 — Secretary, Federal Board of Surveys and Enquiry, Federal Ministry of Finance
- 1st December 1966 — Executive Officer, Military Governor’s Office, Enugu
- 19th March 1967 — Executive Officer (Finance), Military Governor’s Office, Enugu
During the Nigerian Civil War, he undertook humanitarian responsibilities of immense importance.
- 5th May 1969 — Director, Yenagoa Peoples Refugees Camp, St. Emmanuel’s School Refugees Camp, Agbaja, Orlu District
After the war, he helped rebuild Rivers State administration:
- 8th May 1970 — Shipping Officer in Charge, Ministry of Economic Development and Reconstruction
- 1st April 1971 — Higher Executive Officer, Ministry of Establishments and Training
- 8th April 1971 — Secretary, Rivers State Small Scale Industrial Loans Scheme
- 4th January 1972 — Organization and Methods Unit
- 1st March 1973 — Administrative Officer Grade IV
- 22nd January 1974 — Assistant Secretary Grade I
He later ascended to elite administrative leadership:
- 27th February 1976 — Acting Principal Secretary
- 22nd November 1976 — Secretary, Rivers State Government Staff Housing Loan Scheme
- 1st June 1978 — Promoted Assistant Secretary Grade I
- 1st October 1979 — Principal Secretary, Governor’s Office
- 1st May 1980 — Acting Under Secretary
- 25th May 1980 — Administrative Officer-in-Charge, Gokana District Council
- 1st April 1981 — Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Government Liaison Office, Lagos
- 15th November 1983 — Permanent Secretary, Government House, Port Harcourt
- 1st January 1984 — Retired from Civil Service
For 34 years, Bishop Izulu served Nigeria with honor, precision, loyalty, and uncommon administrative brilliance.
Judiciary Service
After retirement from the civil service, his wisdom and integrity remained in demand.
Judiciary Appointment
- 1st July 1985 — Appointed Chairman, Rent Tribunal, Rainbow Town Port Harcourt, Judiciary Chief Magistrate Court Division
- 31st December 1991 — Magistrate Grade III appointment terminated
His judiciary service lasted 6 years.
Missionary Calling and Spiritual Leadership
Though he excelled in administration, Bishop Izulu believed his greatest assignment was spiritual.
He considered himself to have undergone 45 years of discipleship, from:
31st December 1951 – 31st December 1996
A deeply devoted Christian, he was known for strict obedience to Scripture and unwavering commitment to evangelism.
Christ Army Church of Nigeria
He became one of the strongest pillars of the Christ Army Church of Nigeria.
Major Milestones
- 1st December 1961 — Founder and Leader, Christ Army Church of Nigeria, Adankolo Lokoja Branch, Kwara State
- 8th May 1977 — Ordained Priest at St. Saviour’s Christ Army Church Cathedral, Apapa Lagos
- 30th November 1980 — Promoted Rev. Canon at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Bonny
- 15th January 1983 — Promoted Venerable Archdeacon at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Bakana
- 1958–1995 — Synod Secretary, Christ Army Church of Nigeria
- 3rd December 1984 — Consecrated and Enthroned Bishop, Rivers Diocese
He later formally withdrew his services from the church on:
- 1st January 1997
Yet his ministry work did not stop.
Founder of All Saints Christ Church International
Following what he described as divine revelations, Bishop Izulu founded:
All Saints Christ Church International in the year 2000.
He served as:
- Founder
- President
- Bishop in Charge
from:
1st January 1977 – 31st October 2007
The ministry expanded rapidly across Nigeria, especially throughout Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Parishes Established Under His Leadership
- National Headquarters, Borikiri, Port Harcourt
- Model Parish, Ogbolomabiri, Nembe
- Praise Arena Parish, Yenagoa
- City Parish, Rainbow Town, Port Harcourt
- Corner Stone Parish, Bassambiri, Nembe
- Lamb of God Parish, Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt
- Power Arena Parish, Yenizue Gene/Biogbolo
- Fruitful Vine Parish, Odioama
- Covenant Parish, Yibama, Ogbia LGA
- Salvation Parish, Festac Town, Lagos
Spiritually, he served:
- 55 years under Christ Army Church
- 10 years under All Saints Christ Church International
- 14 years as a Bishop
- 18 years as clergy
Humility, Evangelism and Human Investment
Even at the age of 80, Bishop Izulu still traveled for crusades, evangelistic outreaches, and soul-winning missions across difficult terrains in the Niger Delta and beyond.
He was mentored at various points by:
Rt. W. T. Iwo
He became known for:
- humility
- discipline
- generosity
- fatherly wisdom
- investment in people rather than property
He was also:
- Patron, Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM)
- Member, Rivers State Red Cross Society
- Vice Chairman, Port Harcourt Christian Council Project
- Member, Nembe Cultural Association
- Life Member, Bible Society of Nigeria
- Member, Royal Institute of Public Administration, London
Because of his outstanding contribution to the Gospel, Cornerstone University awarded him an honorary doctorate degree.
Final Days and Passing
Cornelius Torudigigha Izulu passed on peacefully on:
Monday, 2nd June 2008 at 7:30 PM
at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in the presence of his beloved wife.
He was 81 years old.
Residences and Legacy
Bishop Izulu lived in several notable residences in Port Harcourt, including:
- 216 Bende Street, Port Harcourt (his personal property and family residence)
- 1 Captain Amangala Street
- 1 Nkwerre Street, Off Aba Road
- 4 Abana Street, Old GRA Port Harcourt
But his true legacy was never in buildings.
His greatest investment was in souls, leadership, discipleship, institutions, and human transformation.
