A day of tributes has been held in honour of the emeritus Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the late Most Reverend Maxwell.

 

The event which took place at Paul University, Awka, had in attendance, his wife, Mrs. Blessing Anikwenwa, family members, academia, students, staff and management of Paul University, Knights, members of Anglican Community from within and outside Anambra, as well as friends and well-wishers.

The Late Most Reverend Anikwenwa was also the former Archbishop of Province Two and Pioneer Bishop of Awka Diocese.

 

He was born in 1940 and answered the ultimate call on 13th March 2023 at the age of eighty-two.

In his tribute to the late Prelate, the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, recounted his life and times and described him as an astute administrator, good in church planting, and great defender of the christian faith who developed Awka Anglican Diocese from nothing to something.

 

Archbishop Ibezim, who mentioned his very close relationship with the late Prelate, assured that none of his legacies will be forgotten.

In his tribute, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Paul University, Awka, Professor Stella Okunna, consoled the wife, Mrs. Blessing Anikwenwa, his children and the church, noting that while the man of God was alive, he has profound interest in human development, worked diligently in the Lord’s vineyard, and was one of those who told those in power the truth and even after his time as a governor, he still had a very cordial relationship with him.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Paul University Awka, Professor Obiora Nwosu went down memory lane of how the deceased founded the University, the university’s effort to honour him by instituting annual Lecture Series in his name and promised that the university will sustain his legacies.

 

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Gius Igboeli said the late Anikwenwa helped the university to secure a loan of one hundred million naira to undergo accreditation, which was successful and the loan was paid back with the one hundred-million-naira gift to institution from Mr. Peter Obi during his tenure as the governor of Anambra state.

Justice Njemanze who represented the chairman Board of Trustees of the institution, Dr Gabriel Toby, disclosed that the late Prelate at the last BOT meeting he attended before his demise, requested that they should not allow Paul University to die.

 

A business mogul, Chief G.U.O Okeke urged all to join him to take up the challenge of granting the request of the deceased even as he recalled the role the Prelate played in ensuring that the boundary between Anambra and Delta states is where it is presently.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Chairman Central Planning Committee, Dr Emma Ezenwaji, traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe represented by the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, DMGS Old Boys, Council of Knights, Diocese of Awka Anglican communion among others also paid tributes to the late Archbishop.

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