Methodism came to Anambra State in 1974 following the activities of Mr. Robert Wilson Iteke, a retired headmaster at Mission Hill, Umuahia who hailed from Igboezunu. Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area.
On twenty-eighth February 1982, a branch of the Church was planted at No. eighty-seven Obodoukwu Road.
In 1986, the Archbishop of Enugu, Most Reverend Dr. Joshua Nwafor Dimoji sent Reverend Ibe to visit Onitsha for the purposes of Church planting.
Their first service was held on twelfth October, 1980 with seven members present. Two weeks later, they moved over to Number two Osuma Lane and the Church membership grew to forty-five worshippers. This increase necessitated the relocation of the Church to Number nineteen Iboko Street for Sunday Services and other activities.
By September 1981, the Church membership had grown to one hundred and twenty members. The frontiers of Methodism reached Awka in 1987; got to Nnewi in 1988; and came to Awada in 1989. In 1997, Okpoko Circuit comprising Okpoko, Nnewi and Ekwulobia and Awada Circuits comprising Awada, Awka and Nkpor were created. In 2002, the Methodist Diocese of Onitsha was created and Right Reverend Chibuzor Opoko was elected the first Bishop of Onitsha and the Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria during a Service at St. Andrew’s Methodist Cathedral, Awada inaugurated the Diocese of Onitsha and the declaration was made by Dr. Sunday Mbang, the then Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria.
The Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria gave its consent that the Archdiocese of Anambra be created from the Archdiocese of Enugu in line with the procedures of creation laid down in section one hundred and eighty-five of the Methodist Church Nigeria, 2021 Constitution and Right Reverend Vincent Onoh was elected Archbishop of Anambra on Sunday eleventh August, 2024; and accordingly, the rites of consecration were consummated on Sunday tenth November, 2024 at Methodist Trinity Church Council, Tinubu Square, Lagos.
On Friday this week, the Archdiocese of Anambra will be inaugurated and Most Reverend Onoh will be enthroned as the first Archbishop of Anambra while Sir James Uche will be presented as the pioneer Archdiocesan Lay President.
Most Reverend Onoh, was born on twenty-sixth May, 1960 in Ngwo Enugu, Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State. He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1974 and West African Examination Council in 1980. In 1981, he proceeded for Theological Education in Methodist Theological Institute Umuahia and graduated with Diploma in Theology and Diploma in Religious Studies from University of Calabar in 1984. He is an alumnus of the University of Jos where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Curriculum Studies and had a Master Degree in Ethics and Philosophy in 1997 from the same University. His outstanding contributions and impact in the Church and society at large earned him an honorary award of Doctor of Divinity from Theological College of the Christ Ascension Church.
In his ministerial journey, Most Reverend. Onoh was ordained a Methodist Priest at Wesley Cathedral, Aba in 1987, preferred a Presbyter in 1993, and was consecrated a Bishop in 2009; which his first SEE was the Diocese of Ndoro. He has served the Church in various capacities as he travelled wide in the ministry, even beyond the shores of Nigeria as a missionary in New Jerusalem Parish Togo.
He is married to Nneoma Onoh and the marriage is blessed with three Children.
Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria will inaugurate the Archdiocese of Anambra with its SEAT at Methodist Church Nigeria, St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Congratulations to Methodist Archdiocese of Anambra.
VERY REVD. DR. KENNEDY UGAR
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