Commentary: Consecration Of Four Bishops-Elect Of The Church Of Nigeria

^{WRITTEN BY SIR OSELLOKA OFFOH}
The Headquarters of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, moved down to Onitsha today for the consecration of four new Bishops of the Church of Nigeria.

Over one hundred and sixty-six Bishops of the Church, led by the Primate and Metropolitan of the communion, Most Reverend Nicolas Okoh, will converge on the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha on Sunday, June third by 9am for the spiritual exercise, which will be witnessed by thousands of people of various religious and political divides, including governors, ministers and other top government officials.
The four Bishops-elect to be consecrated are Venerable Prosper Afam Amah, Venerable Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Very Reverend Dr. Solomon Olusola Akambi and Venerable Godwin Anyigor Awoke, who have been found worthy in both character and learning, having distinguished themselves in their various offices, service and callings. The Ogbaru Bishop-elect, Venerable Prosper Afam Amah, born on September 15, 1973 to the family of Late Mr. Clifford and Mrs. Gladys Amah of Akaboezem Uruagu Nnewi, obtained a Diploma in Theology from Paul University Awka, Bachelor in Religion from (UNN), where he also obtained PGD in Education and M.Sc in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Venerable Wisdom Budu Ihunwo was born on December 27, 1976 in Rumuola Community to the family of Sir/Lady Raphael Ibejirika Ihunwo. He has B.Ed in Religious studies from UNN and is concluding his Masters Degree Programme in the University of Portharcourt. He is currently the Chairman of the Foreign Missions and Evangelism Commission of the Niger Delta North Diocese.
Very Reverend Solomon Olusola Akambi, Ph.D, was born on June 5, 1966 at Ibadan. He has Diploma in Theology from Vinning School of Theology Akure; holds Diploma in Law and a degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ilorin. He also holds a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, M.Phil in Theological studies from the University of Bristol UK and Ph.D in Science of Religion and Missiology from the University of Pretoria South Africa. From 2014 till date, he has been the Dean, Cathedral Church of Saint Philips, Ayetoro, Ile-ife.
Venerable Godwin Anyigor Awoke is the Bishop-elect of Mgbo Diocese. He was born on December 16, 1966 to the family Pa Stephen Awoke Ogboji. He hails from Ajalagu Amagu in Ikwo, Ebonyi State. He has a Diploma in Theology from the Trinity Theological College, Umuahia and Bachelor in Education from UNN.
The four Bishops-elect, after their consecration tomorrow, will bring to one hundred and seventy the total number of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria with fourteen Ecclesiastical provinces. By creating missionary dioceses, which take the gospel of salvation to mostly rural communities, the Church of Nigeria is squarely contending with raw paganism, syncretism and spiritual shallowness, which have continued to threaten Nigeria’s Christian Community. The Anglican Communion, known for its dynamism, discipline, united in advancing the kingdom of God and placing on ground prophetic ministry to the nation, is consecrating four new Bishops at a very challenging time in the history of Nigeria.
The Church of Nigeria is worried that biblical standard has been compromised and the Christian heritage fast being eroded in a country that recorded the advent of Christianity since fifteenth century through the efforts of Reverend Henry Town Send and Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
Their evangelical drives and exploits had diminished the atmosphere of fear, superstition and other ungodly practices which resulted in spiritual darkness enveloping the nation. Nigerians therefore should continue to celebrate the coming of the missionaries through the Anglican initiatives and exploits, resulting in the provision of basic services like education, health care and rural development.
Primate of all Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicolas Okoh, together with the entire leadership of the church, evolved a vision for Nigeria and church of Nigeria, which, by the grace of God and cooperation of all, will take us to our “Eldorado” in a record time. The machinery for achieving the set goals through pragmatic evangelism and functional social welfare scheme is fully in motion, especially with the support of all the dioceses to the Church of Nigeria endowment fund, aimed at making the church self reliant financially to carry on the work of mission.
This is why Nigerians, especially the Anambra Christian Community, should troupe out in large numbers to the All Saints’ Cathedral Onitsha tomorrow for the consecration of four Bishops-elect of the Church of Nigeria. The choice of All Saints Cathedral Onitsha for this great event reflects the status of the diocese on the Niger as the Mother and nurse of the Infant sees and pride of the Anglican Communion under a visionary Bishop, Right Reverend Dr. Owen Nwokolo.
Bishop Nwokolo has made the Diocese a pacesetter and first among equals in everything; taking the gospel of salvation beyond all frontiers. Ndi Anambra, particularly residents of the commercial city of Onitsha, will definitely attract some Episcopal blessings and spiritual windfalls as the house of Bishops of the church of Nigeria meets in Onitsha under the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit to give Nigeria a new spiritual direction.