By Odogwu .E. Odogwu
The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba will lead other Archbishops and Bishops across Nigeria to Onitsha, Anambra State to celebrate the 160 Years Consecration of First African Bishop, Bishop Ajayi Crowther.
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo will lead other politicians and Stakeholders across Anambra to the event.
The event which takes place at All Saint’s Onitsha, starts from Friday, June 28 to Sunday, 30, 2024 to be hosted by the Anglican Diocese on the Niger led by Bishop Owen Nwokolo.
Apart from marking the 160th Anniversary of Bishop Crowther’s Consecration, having been made Bishop in 1864, the carnival is also used to commemorate 160 years the existence of the Diocese on the Niger which was created the same year, 1864.
It was also observed that all church buildings in the diocese equally wore decorative look in preparation for the historic event, as they all now, display various sizes of billboards and posters announcing the anniversary.
According to the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Ven Dr Ikechukwu Ihemtuge, the ceremony is expected to be attended by numerous personalities from various walks of life across Anambra State and beyond.
Ven Dr Ihemtuge explained that the highpoints of lineup of the event included a courtesy call on the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Achebe and a novelty football match on the first day of the event, Friday, June 28, 2024.
He said that on Saturday, June 29, 2024, there would be a memorial lecture during which occasion he said the Rt Rev Prof Asaju and Asso. Prof. Nwadialo would give Anniversary Lecturers as the Primate would, himself, unveil the Bishop Crowther’s statue.
A concluding thanksgiving church service, according to the Planning Committee Chairman, will be on Sunday, June 30, 2024 followed by various entertaining shows and drama casts, reminiscent of the coming of Christianity in Igboland.
On July 27, 1857, Christianity was recorded to have arrived Igboland through the entry point of Onitsha, courtesy of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) which was headed by Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
It was from Onitsha that Christianity was said to have spread throughout the region East of the Niger.
Awka Diocesan Women’s Conference : Archbishop Ibezim’s Wife Laments Adverse Effects Of Corruption On National Development
Wife of the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim PhD and the President, Mother’s Union, Women’s Guild and Girl’s Guild, Province of the Niger, and Diocese of Awka, Dr Mrs Martha Ibezim has said that corruption by the political class of the country has marred individual efforts geared towards the growth and development of the nation.
Dr Mrs Ibezim stated this in her address at the 2024 Awka Diocesan Women’s Conference, held at Holy Trinity Church, Nibo in Awka South Council Area.
Dr Mrs Ibezim who is also the President Women’s Ministry and Young Wives Association of the Diocese of Awka, is equally the President of the conference with theme: ‘I will Not Let You Go Unless You Bless Me’, lamented that past administrations in the country laid a foundation of economic instability, insecurity and dysfunctional system which has given rise to hunger, poverty and incessant killings bedeviling the country.
She pointed out that there is a high level of marginalization in the distribution of power and dividends of democracy and massive suppression of minority groups, adding that the rise in fuel price, electricity tariff and devaluation of the naira has made access to the basic things in life very difficult.
Dr. Mrs Ibezim however, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim for their developmental strides in the State, as the citizens are feeling the impact of their good governance.
On the theme of the conference, Dr Mrs Ibezim called on the delegates to live exemplary lives of determination, resolution and persistence as showcased by the biblical Ruth, asking them to draw closer to God.
Reacting to the address, the President, Women’s Ministry, Province of Aba, Mrs Hope Nwobia on behalf of other Archbishops and Bishops wives that attended the conference said that Dr Mrs Ibezim and her husband, Alexander are being used by God to transform lives and asked the delegates to support the archbishop and his wife in the work that they are doing in the diocese.
While adopting the presidential charge to become a working document in the diocese, Justice Celine Nweke noted that the theme showed the difference between being a true Christian and an ordinary church goer and challenged the delegates to hold on to what they will learn from the conference as the church is a forerunner in building a functional society.
On her part, the Chairperson of ADWOC 2024, Lady Joy Okpagu said that the conference will help delegates to renew their relationship with God and asked them to utilize the lessons of the conference in their day-to-day activities.
Launching of the presidential charge and presentations to the president of the conference were some of the major features of the programme.
Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim attended the event and charged women not to relent in championing for a better society always. He yanked them for the support and solidarity to his episcopal throne.
