Commentary: 2nd Session Of The 30th Synod Of The Diocese On The Niger

^{WRITTEN BY SIR OSELLOKA OFFOH}
The second session of the thirtieth Synod of the Diocese on the Niger begins from Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the Basilica of Saint Andrew, Onitsha.

The Theme of the Synod is “You are a Chosen Generation”.
According to the Synod Secretary, Venerable John Nkwoemezie, the Bishop on the Niger, RT. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo and his Wife, Elsie, Leading Synod delegates, will be treated to a special reception by the Onitsha Community. Shortly after, the Synod train will move to the Basilica of St. Andrew Onitsha for the opening service. On Friday, June 16 at 10am, Bishop Nwokolo will deliver his presidential address, focusing on the state of the church and the Nation. Being his seventh Synod, the Bishop will evaluate his achievements so far, with his vision 2020 agenda for the Diocese.
The Bishop’s charge will be followed by Bishop Owen’s Golden Jubilee celebration on Saturday, June 17, with the Nigerian Christian Community converging on the Basilica of St. Andrew to celebrate this great Missionary of our time who has taken the gospel of salvation beyond all frontiers. Distinguished quests expected at Bishop Owen’s Golden Jubilee Celebration include Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president and Governor Willie Obiano, while former Vice President Alex Ekwueme will be the father of the Day with Prof Charles Soludo as the Book reviewer.
Bishop Owen’s book, “Parenting in the old Testament: contemporary patterns, challenges and solutions for Nigerians” will also be launched at the event while proceeds from the golden Jubilee Package will be channeled to the construction of a multi-million nair modern Diocesan Events and Social  Centre.
A special Synod thanksgiving service will round off the programme on Sunday, June 18 with cutting of Synod Cake and Pooling of Funds for the New Multi-dimensional Niger Diocesan Administrative complex. This project with its intense architectural engineering and beauty will reflect the status of the Niger Diocese as the Mother of the Infant sees and the pride of Nigeria’s Anglican Communion. Already, work is advancing in all fronts at the over one billion naira Camp of Light of the Diocese located at Umunya. The project provides for multi dimensional retreat centre for all Christians who want to deepen their faith; specialist hospital, auditorium, banks, primary and secondary schools. The camp, which is the first of its kind in the entire south east, also provides for e-library, shopping mall, lodging accommodation and other facilities.
The status of the Diocese on the Niger, as the Mother of the infant sees, was clearly expressed when Governor Willie Obiano and former Governor Peter Obi joined other eminent Nigerians to dedicate the one billion naira Archbishop C.J. Peterson International Auditorium complex at the All Saints’ Cathedral Onitsha: This multi dimensional auditorium with over five thousand seating capacity has become a thing of beauty and the pride of Ndi Anambra who expect national and international conferences and national political party congresses and conventions to be held in Onitsha.
In less than seven years, Bishop Nwokolo has broken into fallow grounds in the Diocese with meaningful investments. For instance, under his watch, a finance house known as “Akuchukwu Micro-Finance bank” has become the fastest growing Micro finance bank competing with commercial banks. Bishop Nwokolo with the backup from his wife, Elsie, a distinguished pharmacist, has also transformed the Iyienu Mission Hospital.
Ahead of his roadmap to year 2020, Dr. Owen Nwokolo has established a vibrant radio/TV station. The Administrative Complex of the Diocese will be fully realized with the proceeds from the synod Sunday service, while a 21st century printing press with high-tech facilities is on the way. Bishop Nwokolo has also established the diocese on the Niger Education commission, designed to make all schools in the Diocese centres of academic excellence. Also necessary structures are coming on ground at the On the Niger University. The Lasbery international school at Oraukwu has recorded a big boost while the Niger Business School has become a special centre for skill acquisition. The diocesan Newspaper, The Niger Times has become a veritable tool for communication flow. The Calvary care foundation being run by Bishop Nwokolo’s episcopacy offers scholarships to indigent brilliant youths.
Schools returned to the Diocese have now taken back their premier positions as centres of academic excellence. Equally, the annual fresh manna conference of the Niger Diocese has been re-envisioned by Bishop Owen. This is why Nigerians, especially people of the south east, irrespective of their religious divides, should troupe to the Basilica of St. Andrew Onitsha to share in the vision and episcopacy of Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo who was consecrated as Bishop on January 9, 2011 and enthroned on March 1, 2011 as the bishop on the Niger at the All Saints Cathedral Onitsha.
Let us all make history with Bishop Owen and wish him many hearty returns as he marks his fiftieth Birthday during his 2nd session of the 30th Synod of the diocese on the Niger.