Father Charles Anyaoku is a priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria on loan by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke to serve as a fidei donum missionary in the Diocese of Belleville.

​He was born on Feb. 24, 1971. He is the first son and the second child of the three children of Mr. John Chukwukalo Anyaoku and Mrs. Virginia Ekemma Anyaoku of Okpuno Umuota Obosi Anambra State Nigeria West Africa.

​On Sept. 6, 1985, he entered St. Paul Minor Seminary, Ukpor, and All Hallows’ Seminary, Onitsha. He completed his minor seminary studies in 1992. This was followed by pastoral service at St. Raphael Parish, Awkuzu, and Christ the King Parish, Onitsha, in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In 1994, he started spiritual formation at St. Pius X Seminary, Akwa-Ukwu, Anambra State Nigeria. He entered major seminary formation at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu in 1995, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy in 1999. In October 1999, he entered the same major seminary to study theology which he completed in June 2003, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.

​He was ordained a priest on Aug. 16, 2003, by His Excellency, The Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Nigeria. After his ordination, he served in pastoral assignments in different parishes, to include St. Mary Parish, Nnokwa; St. St. Raphael Parish, Awkuzu; and St. Peter Parish, Ugwuagba Obosi. He was also assigned to SS. John and Paul Parish, Awada Obosi as a Parish Vicar (associate pastor) from 2004 to 2005. In 2006, he served at Madonna Parish, Nnobi as parish vicar. From 2007-2008, he served at St. Joseph Parish, Onitsha as a parish vicar. From 2009-2014, he was assigned to St. John the Baptist Parish, Nsugbe, as Parish Priest and served also as the Parish Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Abata Nsugbe.

​From 2006 to 2007, Father Anyaoku furthered his education at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria. He obtained a post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Father Anyaoku enjoys writing, studying theology, jogging, playing basketball, watching movies and listening to music.

Originally from the Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria, he was ordained a priest on July 19, 1997. Father studied Philosophy for four years (1988-1992) at St. Joseph Seminary, Ikot-Epkene, an affiliate of Urban University, Rome and earning a B.A. with honors. He then went on to his theological studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu (1993 -1997), an affiliate of Urban University, Rome. After his ordination in 1997, Father completed a post-graduate program in Nigeria, earning a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration and a Masters of Arts in Religion and Culture from the University of Port harcourt.

Bishop Braxton has said of Fr. Martin, “During my recent conversations with Father Ohajunwa I realized that (Fr. Martin) is a youthful and energetic priest, full of zeal and joy; a priest who loves the Church and embraces her teachings with respect. I am truly grateful to Father (Martin) for his selfless missionary spirit."