Nigeria’s longest-serving teacher, founding Principal of Mt St Gabriels, Angus Fraser dies at 87

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.

The death was made known on Tuesday in a statement in Makurdi. Fr Jude
Ortese, chancellor of the diocese, said Fraser was the founding
principal of Mount Saint Gabriel's college, Makurdi in 1971 and also
founded 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".

Ortese said 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.

Otese, however, said burial arrangements would be communicated later.

The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that 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, Mr 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 in 2013.

NAN also reports that the priest taught highly placed Nigerians
including; one time Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, late Sen.
Emmanuel Okpede, former Rep. Terngu Tsegba, Herman Hembe and
ex-Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).

Others are two incumbent priests, their Lordships Most Rev. Dr.
William Avenya and Most Rev. Dr. Peter Adoboh, bishops of Makurdi and
Katsina-ala dioceses respectively.

Among those he taught are politicians, technocrats, dons, musicians
and captains of industry.