March 13, 2023 marked the triumphal transition of His Grace, the Most Reverend Maxwell Samuel Chukwunwike Anikiwenwa, JP, OSM, OFR, D.D, a former Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Province Two and the Niger and Pioneer Bishop of Awka Diocese. His departure created a great vacuum not just in the Anglican communion but the entire christiendom.
So many programmess have therefore been mapped out by the Church to bid him farewell. It began with services of songs at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Hidden Valley, Creek Road, Canada on 20th May; yesterday at St James Church Awkuzu, and today at Church of Pentecost, Awka.
There was an Evening of Tribute at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on 13th June while a Day of Tribute will take place at Paul University, Awka tomorrow 27th June, 2023 beginning at eleven o’clock in the morning.
The burial service will be held at Cathedral Church of St. Faith Awka on 29th June, 2023 while interment will follow at St. Peter’s Church, Awkuzu at four o’clock in the evening.
A review of the life of Archbishop Anikwenwa testifies to the belief that in every generation, God chooses and anoints some men and women with extraordinary favour more than their contemporaries. Without their knowledge or even personal effort, such people are guided to attain God’s purpose for their life, no matter the challenges they meet on the way.
Born to Mr Anikwenwa Okeke and Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke of Awkuzu in Oyi local government area in 1940, the young Maxwell had a rough start to life. He lost his mother at the age of four thus growing up only under his father’s tutelage who was a shepherd at the Agricultural farm in Nkwelle – Ezunaka. As a shepherd’s son, he too was also a shepherd. Nobody at the time will know he will grow up to become a quintenessential shepherd of God’s flock.
The young Maxwell was later sent by his father to live with one teacher after another until he gained admission into the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha in 1954. After graduating from DMGS, he passed the entrance examination into School of Agriculture, Umudike and St. Mark’s Teacher Training College Nibo-Nise. He, however, opted for Nibo-Nise following the advice of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Reverend Geoffrey Fisher.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1966 after his studies at Trinity College, Umuahia and priested in 1967. He later travelled abroad for further studies and obtained a Masters Degree in Theology in 1974.
He was preferred a Canon in 1976 and consecrated the first Bishop of Awka Diocese in 1987. Within the twenty – four years he served as Bishop of Awka Diocese, he returned the former St Paul’s College and TTC Nibo/Nise to the Anglican Mission and established a thriving Theological College there. In 1992, he established St. Paul’s University College, which was later expanded to Paul University with the cooperation of his brother Bishops. He brought about economic empowerment for the Diocese, through the construction and commissioning of Emmaus House as an entrepreneurial venture of the Diocese.
The then Bishop Anikwenwa was elected and proclaimed the Archbishop of province two and later province of the Niger and chairman of the joint provincial council, east of the Niger. During this period he ensured the full licensing of Paul University by the federal Government.
Most Reverend Anikwenwa was made Dean, Church of Nigeria in the year 2000, an office he held till 2010 thereby becoming the longest serving Dean of Church of Nigeria.
As the pioneer Proprietor of Paul University, he mobilized tremendous support for the institution and continued to serve as a major pillar of support to the university even when he left office as proprietor and till his demise on March 13, 2023.
It is in appreciation of all he did for the University, that an Annual Public lecture was instituted in his honour in 2021. The university is glad that he was alive to attend two editions of the Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa Annual Public lecture. The University will surely continue with the Public Lecture to immortalize his name.
Paul University joins the Diocese of Awka and Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion to wish this consummate missionary and statesman, a quiet night rest.
Good night your Grace until the resurrection morning when we shall meet to part no more.
To God be the glory.
Written by IKECHUKWU ABANA
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