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Tag: Anglicans

  • Anglicans hail Ambode over pupils’ rescue

    Anglicans hail Ambode over pupils’ rescue

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday got the thumbs up from the Anglican Communion for Sunday’s rescue of the three girls abducted from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS), Ikorodu, last Monday.

    Anglican Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde described the girls’ rescue as prompt, positive and practical. Government, he noted, played a huge role in it all.

    Akinde, who led other bishops of the Anglican Church, the school Principal, Ven. Olaoluwa Adeyemi and the girls’ parents on a “thank you” visit to the governor, said the story of the rescue would be incomplete without the government’s laudable efforts

    The visit, he said, was to show their appreciation to the governor, adding: “It was a most traumatic moment and sad for us as proprietors. Today we are thanking God for his intervention that a most unfortunate and traumatic event ended on a joyous note.

    “All three pupils are now safe in the custody of their parents, they have been reunited. You acted and responded. Your response was prompt, your response was positive, your response was practical.”

    Ven. Adeyemi said they were grateful for the support, encouragement and prayers of Nigerians while the ordeal lasted.

    He said with the security arrangement in the state, the game was over for criminals, adding: “No hiding place for criminals in Lagos now. The security agencies did their work well and the girls are with us now. They are back in school and have reunited with their parents. I believe that God is working in Lagos.

    “We took it personal, not because it was a private school, not because it was far away from the metropolis, but because we all decided to say that if it were our own child or children, are we going to sit down? That is the real focus of what this administration is all about.”

    Responding, Ambode again warned criminals to mend their ways, or face the law.

  • Anglicans hope for better nation

    Members of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in Abuja are optimistic of a better Nigeria this year.

    Expressing their expectations, members of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), called for a peaceful conduct of the general elections.

    A worshipper, Mrs. Amarachukwu Nwosu, expressed gratitude to God for keeping her and other members of her family safe last year, in spite of the security challenges facing the country.

    “I am most grateful to God that my son completed his studies in Maiduguri without being a victim of violent attack. The God, who did this for me, definitely has better plans for me in 2015.

    “I am entering this year with hope that our nation, Nigeria, will know true and lasting peace and that the 2015 general elections will be free and fair,” Nwosu said.

    Mr. Obioha Imoh expressed optimism that the new year holds a better promise for him and the nation.

    Imoh said last year was economically tough for him and family, but thanked God for keeping them alive and well.

    “I am very optimistic about this new year. I call this my year of uncommon blessing. It will be a year, where our country will witness tremendous development,” he said.

    Mr. Martins Akujiobi hoped to be a better person and also hoped that politicians would conduct peaceful elections this year.

    Other members of the church, who also spoke to NAN, were positive that 2015 would be a better year free of violence and that peace would reign supreme for development to thrive in the country.

    During the service that was characterised by Bible lessons, psalms and supplications, an elated congregation was seen dancing and cheering heartily immediately the time clocked 12 midnight, to user in Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015.

    Delivering the sermon, Rev. Canon Kosygin Ezeugbor told Christians that God had a lot of promises for them, if only they repented and followed his teachings as contained in the Holy Bible.

  • Implement conference decision, Anglicans tell Jonathan

    At their recent annual Synod hosted by Ido-Ani Diocese, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) took a look at the state of the nation and called on the Federal Government to implement the decisions of the just concluded National Conference. DAMISI OJO reports

    The seemingly unending Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the north eastern part of the country and the just concluded national dialogue were among the issues that engaged the attention of Bishops and other clerics from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) when they gathered recently at Ido-Ani for their annual Synod.

    And at the end of the conference held at St. David’s Anglican Church, Afo in Ose Local government area of Ondo State, the delegates drawn from the Church’s Dioceses across the country called for the full implementation of the recommendations of the National Conference by the federal government.

    With the theme “Obedience is better than sacrifice”, the synod addressed the concept of obedience and urged all Nigerians especially Christians to be obedient in order to enjoy the full blessings of God.

    The Synod lamented that corruption had eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigerian nation, calling for stiffer legislation and more sincere approach to fight the menace.

    It added that government’s drive to create employment opportunities should be more vigorously pursued.

    A post- Synod communiqué jointly signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rev Dahunsi and Synod’s Clerical Secretary, Ven S.O Ojowuro also commiserated with the victims of terrorism and other social vices.

    “We are praying for the freedom of the Chibok School Girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents; the spate of insecurity in Nigeria is too alarming, governments at all levels should to do more to check the malady of the evil doers.

    “We are also calling for the suspension of the strike by medical doctors and other professional bodies and urge the federal government to put in place enduring mechanism to finally stem the tides of strikes by Nigerian workers as human lives and the economy of the masses are always the worst hit” The communiqué stressed.

    On 2015 general elections, the synod called on politicians not to heat up the polity beyond control and to refrain from “do or die” politics, stressing that anyone who wishes to serve the people sincerely should not destroy intentionally or unintentionally those whom he wanted to serve.

    The Synod commended the federal government for convening the national conference, but urged the administration to do all things possible to actualise the minds of Nigerians as expressed at the national dialogue.

    Bishop Dahunsi glorified God for the achievements recorded by the Diocese within just five years of its inauguration.

    He eulogized Senator Bode Olajumoke for singlehandedly building the Diocesan Secretariat and Evangelist Soye Oniagba for donating an ultra-modern Bishop’s Court with all conveniences.

    Highlight of the second synod was the commissioning of a Church Hall built in Oke Afo by the former Chairman of Ose local government, Hon. Dennis Alonge.

    Among eminent personalities at the Synod thanksgiving service was the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese,Rt Rev James Oladunjoye who preached the sermon.

  • 2015: Anglicans may move against Jonathan

    2015: Anglicans may move against Jonathan

    Anglican faithful in Anambra State threatened yesterday not to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

    They urged him to tell Governor Willie Obiano to intervene in “the systematic religious war against the Anglican Communion.”

    The threat was made, following a protest by the churches, which rocked Onitsha over the demolition of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oze in Oyi Local Government.

    The Anglicans protested the alleged demolition of their church by unknown people in Nkwelle Ezunaka community.

    Human traffic was  brought to a standstill, as Anglican faithful from parishes in the Diocese on Niger protested the demolition of their church by unknown persons.

    They carried placards and sang, to express their grievances.

    The protesters blocked the roads leading to Onitsha for hours. Some of the placards read: “Rebuild our church now”, “Governor Obiano, intervene in this matter and arrest the perpetrators of this evil act”.

    Speaking on behalf of the Diocese on the Niger, Rev. I.k. Egbeonu accused the government of conspiracy.

    He said the school compound housing the demolished church was among the schools handed over to the church by former Governor Peter Obi.

    Egbeonu added that the statement credited to the President-General of Nkwelle Ezeunaka Community, Chris Eluemuno, that the church took over the school by force, was untrue.

    The cleric accused Obiano of allowing himself to be used as a machinery of religious war.

    He said: “We have watched with interest the appointments made by the government and we understand that in every 30 appointments, 25 are Roman Catholics, while Anglican and Pentecostal churches share the rest.

     “For instance, in this school, of the 30 teachers posted by the government, 25 are Roman Catholics.

    “We urge government to rebuild our church. We also enjoin President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in this matter or it will affect his 2015 presidential ambition because Anglicans form almost half of the voters in the country.

    “This is a church project that has cost over N30 million. The money was contributed by widows, orphans and the less privileged, only for some people to connive with some agents of the devil to demolish it.”

    The Chancellor of the Diocese on the Niger, Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), decried the action and said the diocese would seek legal action.

    He appealed to Anglican faithful to be calm.

    One of the worshipers at Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu, Oze-3-3, Mr. Emma Ibeneme, said they were  shocked when they discovered on Monday that their church had been demolished by unknown people.

    Eluemuno said the community did not demolish the church.

    The man, a delegate to the National Conference, who is also the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, said the matter was being handled by the law enforcement agents.

  • Anglicans get tuition concession at church-owned varsity

    The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) says its members with wards at the proposed Anglican University, Abuja will enjoy a discount of 50% on fees at the institution.

    Speaking at the 2nd Session of the Second Synod of the Kubwa Diocese at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nyanya, Abuja, the Diocesan Bishop,the Right Reverend Duke Akamisoko, said this is a reward for Church members who toiled and contributed towards the establishment of the university.

    Besides,candidates from the Anglican family who meet the minimum entry requirement of five credit including English Language and Mathematics will be offered admission into the university without writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) or Post UTME.

    Akamisoko expressed worry over the growing number of Anglican Church members who find it difficult gaining admission into existing universities regardless of their qualifications.

    .The church requires N5billion for the establishment of the university.

    Akamisoko also said that five professors of the Anglican faith have indicated interest in teaching at the proposed university.

    His words: “Every Anglican in this country once you have five credits in WASC you will gain admission .

    “There is a special fee for Anglicans. Your children must benefit from it . Anglicans to pay half school fees. No Anglican will not gain admission except they are not qualified.”

    President Goodluck Jonathan, he said, has already approved the allocation of 100 hectares of land for the university’s permanent site in Abuja.

    He said: “NUC said before now they were giving approval to universities for less than 100 hectares.

    “Up till now they have refused to go to their permanent sites. But we have been gracefully given 100 hectares by the president.

    “We are going to pay the President a thank you visit with a team. Before 2015, the church should be on ground. The committee is to raise N5billion for university.”

    The church ,on the occasion, honoured President Jonathan with its National Education Merit Award.

    Also honoured were former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonenkan; Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Anglican Primate, Dr. Peter Akinola; and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Bishop Okogie.

  • Anambra Catholics, Anglicans clash over school premises

    Anambra Catholics, Anglicans clash over school premises

    There is tension in Onitsha, Anambra State’s commercial capital, following the boiling over of the rivalry between the Catholics and the Anglican Churches in the state.

    There was a clash by their faithful over a school premises being used for worship during last Sunday service.

    The incident took place between St Michael Catholic Church and St Faith Anglican Church both in Onitsha, during a church service at Lafiaji Primary school in Fegge.

    Though there was no record of casualty, it was gathered that the crisis started when worshipers of St. Faith Anglican Church, Fegge were allegedly attacked by the members of Men of Order (MOD) from St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

    The Priest of St Faith Anglican Church, Rev Canon Obiora Uzochukwu, told reporters yesterday that the cause of the incident was not unconnected to the lingering crisis over the ownership of the land where the school was built.

    According to him, the Lafiaji primary school saga started when the state government gave the Anglican Church the space to be conducting their church service.

    He alleged that the presence of the Anglican Church did not go down well with the Catholic Church whose members began moves to unleash mayhem on their members.

    Obiora said “the Anglican Communion has been worshipping at the Primary school, Lafiaji, for more than 40 years now and the recent attack by the Roman Catholics who were apparently acting scripts written by unknown persons was to intimidate us because the governor is a member of their church”

    “They came to the open space where we normally have our weekly church activities, but what broke the Carmel ’s back was the Sunday incident where the MOD members swooped on our members and destroyed two canopies we set for our Sunday service.

    “They attacked us with daggers and other dangerous weapons and it took the intervention of the security agents to save the situation” Rev. Obiora said

    The Priest further alleged that despite the pending court case over the ownership of the school premises, the Roman Catholic faithful refused to abide by the court injunction that ordered a return to status quo ante.

    This, according to him, was for the Anglican Communion to go ahead and have their service in the field since it does not belong to the Roman Catholic Church alone.

    “The members of St. Faith Anglican Church, Fegge, Onitsha, observed some men who are taking measurement at our church premises being the Lafiaji Primary school, Fegge, and Onitsha.

    “On enquiry, they claimed that they were contracted by a government agency to execute an MDGs project. It will be recalled that the same agency had earlier given us the approval to build a church at the said school before it was viciously opposed by unscrupulous individuals”

    But the Parish Priest in charge of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Rev Fr. Celestine Aniofor, denied the allegations.

    He described it as devillish on the grounds that the school in contention does not belong to either of the denominations, but it is a government school.

    According to him, “Lafiaji Primary school belongs to the state government. What happened that day was that the members of MOD, a para military body in the church got approval from the Headmistress of the school to do their camping programme in the school from Friday to Sunday.

    “ When they came to report to me that the Anglican people had used canopies to block the field where they were doing parade, I quickly pleaded with them to give peace a chance but when the Anglicans were trying to use force on them, they resisted it as a para military group. That was the only thing that happened

    “The government agency had earlier barred all churches from having service there.

    “So when the MOD men came, the Anglican people came to make trouble and went as far as inviting the soldiers to arrest the MOD commander, it took us several efforts to get him on bail. On Sunday again, they came with the police.

    “This is pure madness because nobody is dragging anything with them” Rev. Aniofor said.

  • Anglicans advocate moral rebirth

    The Dean of the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Rev. Dapo Asaju, has urged Christians to lead the search for moral redirection in Nigeria.

    He spoke yesterday at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Metta, Lagos, at the closing of the first session of the third synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland.

    Rev. Asaju urged Christians to work towards a new Nigeria by refusing to join the crowd and by setting good examples.

    The four-day synod examined “The faithfulness of God in an unfair world”. It condemned the growing insecurity in the country and the destruction of life and property in the name of religion, politics and ethnicity.

    The synod urged governments at all levels to provide good governance and promote justice.

    It decried the prevalent corruption in the land and the unconvincing approach to fighting it, especially the “questionable plea bargain deals given to convicted felons, which is equivalent to deodorising sin”.

    Members called for a change of heart and commitment to building a fair society.

    The synod urged government officials to see their positions as an opportunity to improve the welfare of the people and not an avenue to amass wealth.

    In a statement by the Diocesan Bishop, Rev. Adebayo Akinde, and Ven. Luyi Akinwande, the synod urged governments to seek help outside the confines of partisan politics in making policies that would boost the economy and address unemployment.

    It urged Christians to be holy and turn away from sin.

    The synod praised Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola for his “honesty of purpose” and urged him to double his efforts to make Lagos a “place of pride” for all Nigerians.

    The synod was attended by dignitaries from the church, government and civil societies. Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was the special guest of honour.

    Thirteen bishops, including Rev. Amos Madu of Enugu Diocese and Rev. Festus Davies of Ogori-Magongo Diocese, were in attendance.