AGUATA DIOCESE AT 17

On Sunday, September 4, 2022, Aguata Anglican Diocese will mark its 17 years of existence. The Diocese which was carved out from the old Awka Diocese was inaugurated by the then Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola, CON on 4th September, 2005 at the Cathedral Church Of Saint John, Ekwulobia.

Following its inauguration, Right Reverend Christian Ogochukwu Efobi was translated from Yola Diocese and enthroned as pioneer bishop with his wife, Dame Jane of blessed memory as the president of women’s ministry.

Right Reverend Efobi blew the whistle of development in Aguata Diocese with the creation of more Archdeaconries, bringing it to 15 from the initial 5 inherited, built the All Saint’s Seminary, Ekwulobia, put some touches on Saint Mary’s Convent, Ufuma, inherited from the old Awka Diocese including in other schools and diocesan hospital at Umunze.

Bishop Efobi also laid the foundation stone for the new cathedral, completed it and was dedicated by the then Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh. Other projects completed under his shepherdry were the building, dedication and furnishing of Saint Peter’s Church, Ndiukwuenu and Saint John’s Church, Ndiokolo.

The women’s ministry under the pioneer president, the late Dame Jane established the Lampada Water, Aguluezechukwu, built hospital and maternity at Igboukwu, garri processing factory at Okpeze, and some structures at All Saint’s Seminary, Ekwulobia.

Bishop Efobi served the Church of Nigeria as Dean and Archbishop of Province of the Niger before retiring on 31st January, 2018, at the mandatory retirement age of 70.

On April 3rd 2018, the mantle of episcopate leadership of the diocese fell on Right Reverend Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor, who was translated from Ogbaru Diocese and enthroned as the second bishop of the diocese with his wife, Chinyere as the president of the women’s ministry.

Shortly after his enthronement, Bishop Ezeofor rolled out his four point agenda anchored on promoting discipleship, family life, human and physical development and robust evangelism. In his inaugral sermon at the Cathedral Church of Saint John, Ekwulobia, Bishop Ezeofor charged both the priests and laity to be ready to work, as “nobody should be a passenger in God’s work.”

In his maiden meeting with diocesan officials and board members, he set up various committees on project and investment, evangelism and bible study, works and lands, vision and mission, education board among others. Bishop Ezeofor also enlarged the diocesan legal team from three to nine with an erudite jurist, Justice Peter Obiora as Chancellor and upgraded the diocesan Media and Communication Department to a directorate, making it more elaborate in social communication.

In pursuance of the spiritual growth of members of the diocese, Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor introduced series of programmes. Some of them include, “Fresh Grace From Above”, “Single and Sensible” for youths in the diocese, “Worship and Word” conference, “Beracha Night of Glory” , “Open Heaven”, “Covenant Week”, “Porter’s Wheel” and a radio programme on ABS, “Moment of Grace” that comes on air every Sunday by half past five in the evening.

Bishop Ezeofor who at present is the National Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, EFAC, Nigeria, has dedicated an ultra-modern diocesan secretariat at Ekwulobia, Gosife Micro finance Bank, construction of an ultra-modern building for the expansion of Aguata Diocesan Printing Press at Oko and gradually commencing work at the Diocesan Church and Conference Center at Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area.

Under the Ezeofor episcopacy, series of trainings, workshops and retreats were introduced for the diocesan clergy and their wives while championing reforms in all the diocesan institutions including schools and hospitals.

Under the women’s ministry, the president, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor, Nnechukwunyere, Mama Aguata, is in touch with the vice presidents of various women’s ministries in the fifteen archdeaconries of the diocese who are the wife of archdeacons. She has continuously ensured that all the projects inherited including the Lampada Water are adequately upgraded for effecient service delivery.

The Diocesan Women’s Ministry has built and dedicated the Lampada Community Children’s Home at Igboukwu and introduced series of programmes for widows and interest free loans for indigent women to help them in sustaining their businesses or to start up new ones.

To mark the celebration of Aguata Diocese at 17, services will take place in all the churches across the diocese to thank God for the journey so far and ask him for continued guidance of the Bishop, the clergy, diocesan officials and the laity for the tasks ahead.

Aguata Diocese, Lampada Christi.

Written by ABUCHI NWOZOR