… Set for Anambra Election
By Emeka Odogwu
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Anambra State, had on Saturday, June 21, 2025, held a historic and jubilant reunion with the formal installation of its new Chairman, the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, marking the end of several years of protracted internal dispute.
At the same event, the council also inaugurated its Women’s and Youth Wings, calling not only for internal unity among its members but also for broader national cohesion and active political participation by citizens.
Held at the Archbishop C. J. Patterson Auditorium, All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, the ceremony drew dignitaries from across the state, including government officials, traditional rulers, and senior clergy.
The council’s Zonal Chairman, T/E Dr Levi Monanu, presided both the installation and inauguration.
During the occasion, Dr Monanu conveyed the collective will of the council in choosing Bishop Nwokolo and expressed optimism that his leadership would elevate the council to greater heights.
He noted that the office had a structured three-year tenure and following the rites of installation, Dr Monanu presented the bishop with a certificate and formally introduced him to the congregation.
In his acceptance speech, Bishop Nwokolo expressed gratitude for the trust bestowed on him and pledged to serve with diligence and humility.
He commended council members for their patience and spiritual maturity during the years of internal disagreement, describing their conduct as a rare example of Christian character.
“The effective utilization of internal peace resolution mechanisms,” he said, “is a valuable strength of our council.
In a state as diverse as ours—across denominations, ethnicities, and political lines—unity is difficult, but not impossible,” he remarked.
He explained that through structured processes including conflict resolution committees, dialogue platforms, and consensus-building forums, the council had successfully overcome its internal rift.
In a subsequent 20-minute homily, Bishop Nwokolo encouraged Christians to be active participants in societal affairs.
“There must be no escapism,” he said. “We are called to be salt and light in the world. Be agents of peace, take part in shaping society—and yes, vote at elections”, he said.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, congratulated Bishop Nwokolo and hailed his leadership approach, especially his use of internal mediation to restore unity.
Prof. Chukwulobelu listed the administration’s achievements—enhanced security, improved infrastructure, and strong church-state relations and expressed confidence in continued progress, particularly if given a second term.
Speaking in a brief interview shortly after the event, the Assistant Secretary of the council and Chair of the Planning Committee, the Rt Rev Sharon Ukah, explained that the ceremony had been delayed due to minor misunderstandings, which he said had now been fully resolved, emphasizing that the bloc’s eleven member-denominations share largely uniform doctrines.
“Our teachings are standardized, and doctrinal differences are minimal. Virtually all of us wear the clerical collar,” he said.
The event was attended by over 7,000 worshippers, including more than 40 bishops, hundreds of ministers, and lay members from across the state.
