Here are five things to know about the Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, the administrative head of the wordwide Anglican communion, who met with Buhari in the United Kingdom this week.

1. He was ordained a an Anglican priest in 1971

Idowu-Fearon was consecrated into the holy orders in 1971. Nineteen years later, he became the Anglican Bishop of Sokoto Diocese (1990 – 1998), Bishop of Kaduna Diocese (from 1998-2015). He later became the Archbishop of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province (from 1998 -2015).

2. Idowu-Fearon wanted to be a soldier

Before his foray into christian evangelism, Idowu-Fearon had aspired to be a soldier and had even gone four years into his training when he realized his priestly calling.

He was given a sympathetic discharged from the army so that he could begin training as a bishop

3) He became interested in Christian-Muslim relationship in theological school

While studying at the Immanuel Theological College, Ibadan, Idowu-Fearon took an interest in Islam. Even though he is a christian priest, Idowu-Fearon went on to obtain a Masters of Art in Islamic Studies and Muslim-Christian relations. He co-founded the Center for the Study of Islam and Christianity

He has also authored several papers on Islam and Christian relations, saying that he wants to be a bridge builder between both faiths.

He played a role in quelling the ethno-religious violence that rocked Kaduna in the early 2000s.

4. The cross of St. Augustine

In 2003, he was presented with the Cross of St. Augustine (the second highest honor in the Anglican church) for his work in promoting dialogue between the Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria and around the world.

He has been described as a ‘Muslim Bishop’ by his detractors

5) Idowu-Fearon was appointed Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council

In 2015, He was appointed as the seventh Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council in London beating out several other contestants from across the world.

His appointment to such a global office wasn’t well received by the Anglican church in Nigeria because of Idowu-Fearon’s relationship with the Muslim community as well as his rejection of the controversial anti-gay law signed by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

At his appointment, President Buhari had written a congratulatory message to Idowu-Fearon, describing him as an intellect with a compassion and zeal to pastor other.