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Tag: Anglican Church

  • Nwobodo defies pressures to return to Anglican Church

    Nwobodo defies pressures to return to Anglican Church

    Overnor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, yesterday repelled pressures to make him return to the Anglican Church.

    Nwobodo, who was honoured by his former church, the Anglican Communion at Awkunanaw, said he would remain a Catholic because it was the church that came to his help in time of difficulty.

    The occasion was the centenary celebration and thanksgiving of Christianity at St. Mathew Anglican Church of Amechi at Awkunanaw.

    The former governor single-handedly built the church in 1982.

    At the church service, which was conducted by the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Nwobodo was accompanied by a galaxy of Catholic priests, led by Monsignor John Amadi.

    Archbishop Chukwuma told the congregation that by honouring the invitation to honour him, Nwobodo had finally returned to the Anglican Communion, which he left in 2015.

    The cleric admonished the former governor to remember fact he single-handedly built the church and that his father, the late Pa Peter Nwobodo, was one of the pillars of the church.

    He added: “Peter was one of the pillars of the church at Amechi and left it for his son, Jim. Jim took up the challenge and built the church single-handedly. His father, Peter, will be happy today in his grave as his son is back in the fold.

    “You are a baptised and confirmed Anglican. These Catholic priests, who accompanied you to this occasion, should bid you bye because you are not going back to Catholic again with them.

    “You should not be confused; don’t allow them to confuse you. We need you among us. I know all the time that you will be back, and you are back today.”

    But Nwobodo told the congregation that his return to Anglican Church should be a matter for another day.

  • Anglican Church gets dean, archbishops, others

    The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Nicholas Okoh, will, on Sunday, present a new dean of the church, two archbishops and three new bishops during a service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.

    At the historic service, Revd Ikechi Nwosu, bishop of Umuahia and archbishop of Aba Province, is to be presented as dean of the Church of Nigeria. He  becomes next to the primate in the hierarchy of clergymen in the country.

    Also to be presented as archbishops is Rev. Michael Fape. He succeeds Rev. Adebayo Akinde, who is retiring as archbishop of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province. Until his election, he was the bishop of Remo Diocese.

    Revd Christian Efobi is returning as archbishop of the Province of the Niger. He is also the bishop of Diocese of Aguata.

    Among the three to be consecrated bishops is the Provost of the oldest cathedral in the country, Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, Rev. Akinpelumi Johnson. He has been elected bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland.

    Also, the Dean of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ven. Abel Ajibodu is the new bishop of the Diocese Ile Oluji.

    The newly elected Bishop of Diocese of Ihiala, Ven. Israel Okoye is also being consecrated. Until his election and consecration, Ven. Okoye, a professor, was the general secretary of the Church of Nigeria.

    Ten archbishops and 100 bishops are expected at the ceremony.

  • We can’t afford another war, says Anglican Church

    The Diocese of Abuja of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), has noted that the renewed pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta was not in the best interest of Nigeria. It urged those behind the bombing of oil installations in the region to desist from the act forthwith.

    The church called on the Niger Delta Avengers to cease hostility against the government while embracing dialogue, noting that Nigeria, which is currently engaged with too many battles cannot afford to start another one with militants in the oil producing areas of the federation.

    The Primate of The Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, The Most Rev’d Nicholas D. Okoh, made this remark in his Presidential Address to the 3rd Session of the 9th Synod of Abuja Diocese, held at All Saints Church, Wuse.While urging the Federal Government to also tread cautiously in its attempts to resolve the growing crises in the Niger Delta, the Church called on it to seek collaboration with the host communities in its efforts to secure all pipelines.

    He also urged the Federal Government to open the space for immediate revival of the dwindling Nigerian economy by creating investment friendly atmosphere for more foreign investors to henceforth, take Nigeria as a preferred destination.

    He lauded the efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari towards diversifying the Nigerian economy, urging his government to initiate more cutting-edge approaches aimed towards a meaningful engagement of foreign investors for revival of the economy of the country.

    He based his talk on the theme of the this year’s Synod, “The Poverty of Riches”, taken from the book of Revelation, 3 vs17, stating that notwithstanding the prosperity that a country enjoys, it may suffer spiritual poverty and then end up being poor (on the real in all ramifications) if the leaders and the led are careless and Godless.

  • Jim Nwobodo remarries in Catholic Church, dumps Anglican Communion

    Jim Nwobodo remarries in Catholic Church, dumps Anglican Communion

    •re-weds in Catholic Church

    Former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyi Nwobodo and wife, Patricia, were yesterday rejoined in holy matrimony by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Calistus Onaga.

    Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and his wife, Monica, were sponsors of the couple in the marriage in fulfillment of requirements demanded by the Catholic Church.

    The marriage took place at the Bishops’ Court, Independence Layout, Enugu.

    The governor thanked God for the successful wedding and prayed that the union grows from strength to strength.

    In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Peter Akpunonu recalled the past cordial relationship between Chief Jim Nwobodo and the Catholic Church, especially when he was the governor of old Anambra State.

    He added that the long association informed the decision of Nwobodo to join Catholic Church having been impressed by his association with the church.

    Rev. Fr. Akpunonu thanked Nwobodo for having the courage to embrace Catholicism.

    In a brief remark, Nwobodo observed he felt fulfilled to have fully joined the Catholic Church.

    He described the development as a home coming and spiritual thing.

    He assured that he would remain in the church which he said he trusts and believes in.

     

  • Nwobodo re-marries in Catholic Church

    Nwobodo re-marries in Catholic Church

    Just Friday, former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo dumped his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    And Saturday he completed another defection by dumping the Anglican Communion for the Catholic Church.

    He re-wedded his many years heartthrob, Patricia in the Catholic Church. He had wedded her in the Anglican Communion in the early 80s when the late Abubakar Rimi performed the duties of best man.

    Nwobodo, hitherto, was a staunch Anglican. He single handedly built the multi-million naira St. Mathew’s Anglican Church in his hometown, Amechi, Awkunanaw in the 70s.

    He fell out with the leadership of the Anglican Communion when his son, Ifeanyi died‎. The burial site of his son generated a big controversy.

    This pitched the former governor who insisted that the his son would not be buried with his expanse compound but be buried in a land close to the compound.

  • Anglican Church hails Tinubu

    Anglican Church hails Tinubu

    Members of the Anglican Church in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, have hailed the contributions of former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the evolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They urged the party’s national leader to intervene in resolving the salary crisis in some Southwest states under the party’s control.

    The Diocese’s Bishop, Rev Philip Adeyemo, made the call at the weekend in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government, during his address to the third session of the second synod.

    Rev Adeyemo called on Tinubu to handle issues of attacks against him with tact, particularly as it related to his successor.

    The clergy said: “We appreciate the doggedness of Tinubu in the evolution of the governing party and his support for the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Please we want the APC leader to do something about the salary arrears in some APC states in the Southwest. Please sir, your intervention to proffer solution in this matter is highly solicited.”

  • Anglican Church gives polls pass mark

    The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion (CONAC) has scored yesterday’s gubernatorial and state assembly election a pass mark.

    According to Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Rev. Professor Adebayo Akinde, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the electorates were better prepared for the exercise this time around.

    “The electorates are more determined to speak,” said the Archbishop who was in high spirits as he went around Ebute-Metta, monitoring.

    He said the atmosphere was calmer than what existed before the March 28 presidential and national assembly election.

    Answering questions on reported cases of malpractices, Akinde who said he didn’t witness any of such, said, “Nigerians must realise the power of the ballot box. I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Bishop James Odedeji of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, who voted in Ikeja, however, said that though there were no records of violence, Lagos was tensed.   Sounding a note of caution, especially concerning unguarded utterances, he said: “I want to believe so much that people should not enter into violence because they want to serve.

    “To me, people are not novice. People are intelligent. They are getting more enlightened and they believe so much that they can decide who will lead them in the next four years.”

    Bishop Odedeji also said the restriction of movement disenfranchised voters who registered in far places.

    CONAC sent a delegation of observers to monitor the elections across the country.

    In Lagos, the delegation was at the 20 local government areas in the state.

    In the places monitored, election officials turned up as early as 8:00am while the electronic card readers functioned well.

    By 1:00pm, voting commenced in largely hitch-free atmosphere.

    On many streets around the metropolis, some youths played football, while children were seen riding bicycles and skating.

  • Anglican Church commend election turn-out

    The Church of Nigerian Anglican Communion (CONAC) has expressed confidence in the presidential elections which took place nationwide yesterday. The church, which monitored Saturday’s election as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited observer has been in the forefront of championing democracy.

    Monitoring the election in Lagos, CONAC sent delegations of election observers to the 20 local government councils of Lagos State. While the election was peaceful in many areas with a huge deployment of soldiers and policemen ensuring safety, there were some challenges with the card readers which were put to the test for the first time in the general election.

    Speaking on the exercise at the Iworo Community Hall in Badagry, Bishop Babatunde Adeyemi of Anglican Diocese of Badagry said “there’s a marked difference from what happened in 2011. INEC has improved and Nigerians are ready for progress.”

    Though Adeyemi expressed satisfaction with the accreditation exercise, he said there were few complaints of the card readers not recognising some peoples fingers, and in those cases, the concerned persons were manually accredited.

    Suing for peace, Adeyemi advised the candidates and their supporters to desist from violence. “The winner should be magnanimous and the loser should see it as the will of God that he is not destined to be there.”

  • Anglican Church honours couples

    Anglican Church honours couples

    Saint Thomas Anglican Church Ese- Ikare, Ondo State last week conferred the proprietor and principal of Greater Tomorrow International School, (GTI) Mr. James Lawal, with the Otunba Baba Ijo title.

    It also installed his wife, Mojisola, as Iya Akorin.

    The officiating Minister, Right Reverend Gabriel Akinbiyi, of Akoko North Diocese, said the couple deserved the honour going by their contributions to the development of the church.

    The Parakoyi of Ikire, His Royal Highness Oba Okeluse, described the Lawals as loving and God-fearing.

    He said: “Lawal is a great philanthropist. He is not arrogant but very humble and has contributed greatly to his hometown in Ikire.”

    Mr. Jide Tububo, a long-time friend of the Lawals, said: “I thank God for the great honour bestowed on him. He has turned down many chieftaincy titles but he appreciates working for God. I will now be calling him chief.”

    Lawal thanked the church for the honour, saying he was ready to do more.

    According to him: “Now I have more responsibilities in the church.

    “I believe we should contribute our own quota to the development of the church, for it is our first home where morals are taught.”

    The couple donated an 18-seater bus and an undisclosed amount of money to the church.

  • Anglican Archbishop, wife kidnapped in Rivers

    *Mbu should be held responsible for insecurity in Rivers – Amaechi

    The Second-in-Hierarchy to the Primate of the Anglican Church, Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, and his wife, Beatrice, were on Friday night kidnapped near Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Kattey, who is also the Dean/Archbishop/Bishop of the Niger Delta North of the Anglican Communion, and wife were on their way to Port Harcourt, when the kidnappers struck by the bridge at Aleto-Eleme near the Rivers state capital, in Eleme Local Government Area.

    The gunmen seized the cleric, an indigene of Aleto-Eleme, and his wife around 11:30 pm.  Beatrice was  later abandoned with their car, while the kidnappers moved the Archbishop to an unknown destination.

     The Archbishop’s whereabouts remain unknown, while no demand for ransom had been made.

    The Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who had been at loggerheads with the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, since his redeployment from the Oyo State Command in February this year, said the police boss should be held responsible for the spate of insecurity in the Niger Delta state.

    Kattey’s kidnap occurred barely two weeks after the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe, was shot at Akpajo-Eleme in the same Eleme LGA of Rivers state on August 25.

    Igwe, who was shot by assassins that aimed at his head, but narrowly escaped with injuries, is still responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

    The Rivers sports commissioner, who was with two other persons in the Toyota Corolla saloon car, marked: GCG 11, had the vehicle riddled with bullets, thereby creating deep holes on it, during the attack around 8:15 pm.

    Kattey, who was made the Dean of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria about a year ago, is described as a very simple and easy-going cleric.

    It was learnt on Saturday  that the kidnapped cleric was expecting the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, in Port Harcourt on Saturday  and decided to leave his house in Aleto-Eleme on Friday night, to sleep in Port Harcourt and put finishing touches to preparations to welcome him.

    It could not be confirmed as at press time  if Okoh was still able to visit Rivers state, in view of the unfortunate development, with Anglicans and others now praying for the immediate release unhurt of the cleric.

    It was also gathered that the Archbishop and his wife were driving to Port Harcourt late in the night to beat the traffic restrictions of Saturday morning, occasioned by the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, but unknown to them, the Sole Administrator of the authority, Ade Adeogun, earlier announced that the exercise would not hold, in view of the ongoing GCE/WAEC examinations.

    Sources also indicated that Kattey’s wife was not immediately released by the kidnappers, but was moved with her husband into Aleto-Eleme bush, while the intensive combing of the forest by policemen and members of the Anglican Church was responsible for dropping of Beatrice, when they were closing in on them.

    Aleto-Eleme, where the kidnap took place, is near the two Port Harcourt refineries in Eleme and the Indorama-Eleme Petrochemical Company.