The outgoing Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Okoh, who the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has been elected to replace, made the call on Wednesday in Asaba at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Asaba.
In his message, the outgoing Primate of Anglican Communion thanked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his support to the Church and called on the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.
Speaking on “Fight The Good Fight Of Faith,” the Primate urged Christians not to be deterred in their efforts to win souls for Christ, urging them to shun greed, selfishness, ambition, division, sin, heretic doctrines, and the like.
Governor Okowa, who was present at the event, urged Nigerians to shun negative attitudes towards the country, but project it in positive light.
He cautioned that citizens must resist the temptation, no matter how strong, to join those in the habit of continually condemning and speaking evil of the country and its leaders.
He said “it is impossible for us to pray right and then speak wrong, because what happens after prayer is as important, if not more important, than the actual prayer.
“Our words as Christians are powerful; negative words carry the power to invalidate our prayers and derail our expectations.
“So, let us all take heed and begin today to speak healing, peace, prosperity, progress and accelerated development to Nigeria.
“My faith is that in no distant time, Nigeria will become one of the most sought-after countries in the world; it shall be well with us as we continue to stand in faith for Nigeria.
“We need to also teach the flock to release their faith for the purpose of national development and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
“We are not often as determined and steadfast in exercising faith for a transformed Nigeria as we are when it comes to our personal needs.”
He reaffirmed that Delta had been dedicated to God, saying “our trust is in Him and, therefore, we cannot be put to shame”.
Okowa commended the Anglican Communion for its steadfastness in preaching the word of God, noting that all over the world, the pulpit was under severe pressure.
According to him, congregants, having itchy ears, are hardening their ears to the truth and looking for preachers who will tell them what they want to hear.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has congratulated Archbishop Ndukuba on his election as the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) by the Episcopal Synod of the Church.
TNG reports the Most Rev. Ndukuba, who is Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese was elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Tuesday, rising from the episcopal synod of the Church held on Tuesday 24th September 2019 at the Cathedral Church of St Peter’s Asaba, Delta State.
Born in 1959 from Anambra State of Nigeria, the Metropolitan/Primate elect was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe, with seven other Bishops on 21 September 1999.
On 25 November 1999, the new diocese was inaugurated as the 71st diocese of the Church of Nigeria and he has the first bishop.
At the General Synod Meeting which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on 22 September 2017, the House of Bishops elected Henry Ndukuba, Bishop of Gombe, as the new Archbishop of Jos. He succeeds Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos.
Ndukuba, who was Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria, will succeed the Most Rev Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, who would be proceeding to retirement.
Nduku, married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ndukuba, is noted for a sacrosanct spirituality devoid of ambiguity, and known for his unassuming gentle personality, however, rugged in evangelism.
President Buhari’s congratulatory message was conveyed via a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The President also felicitated with members of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria on the successful election of a new spiritual leader, who will by the grace of God direct the affairs of the church in the next ten years.
President Buhari appreciated the role of the Anglican Church in promoting interfaith dialogue, peace, stability, education and social welfare in the country.
The president said he counted on the Primate-elect, ”to continue in propagating the qualities that epitomises the ministry of Jesus Christ, who taught his followers love, compassion and humility.”
He also commended the outgoing Primate of the Church, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh, for his dedication, service and leadership, recounting the invaluable support this administration has received from the Church.
The President wished Ndukuba, who is at present the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jo’s Province of Anglican Communion, a successful tenure as he begins a new phase of ministry as the fifth Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).