Methodism came to Anambra State in 1974 following the activities of Mr. R. N. Iteke who was a retired headmaster at Mission Hill, Umuahia and hailed from Otuocha. He was assisted by Mr. J. A. Nwobasi – his pupil who was living in Onitsha. On 31st July,1974, a divine service was organized by Mr. Iteke in Otuocha. Mr. S. Uluocha preached at the service. After the first service, Mr. Iteke persuaded Mr. Nwobasi to look out for Methodists living in Onitsha so as to start a church in Onitsha. Mr Nwobasi succeeded and the first Methodist Church began services at No. 4b Okosi Road – Inland Town, Onitsha in September, 1974.
However, the arrival of Rev. Ibe to Onitsha in 1986 founded the patriarchal Methodist Church in the area. Rev. Ibe was appointed by the then Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Nwafor Dimoji to visit Onitsha for the purposes of Church planting. When he arrived Onitsha, he discovered that the existing churches then were administered by the presidential faction of Methodist church. This necessitated the founding of the patriarchal Methodist Church through the help of Brother M. I. Igbokwe, U. F. Okenue and Ebenezer Nkemakolam. They started at No. 2 Osuma Lane by Iboko Street. Within a short time and labours of many believers, the Church grew in leaps and in bounds. It reached Awka in 1987, Nnewi in 1988 and Awada in 1989.
The journey to the creation of Diocese of Awka began at the Onitsha Diocesan Synod which held at St. Andrew’s Methodist Cathedral, Awada from 21st -24th April, 2022 and the Enugu Archdiocesan Council which met at Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Abakaliki on Friday 27th May, 2022. At both conferences, Awka, Nkpor, Orumba Circuits and Aguata Section prayed for the creation of Awka Diocese. The Archdiocesan Council of Enugu granted the request for the creation of the Diocese of Awka and recommended same to the Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria.
Hence, at the 48th/13th Biennial Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria, which met from 8th to 15th August, 2022 at the Cathedral of Unity, Wuse Zone 3, FCT Abuja of the Archdiocese of Benue, the Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria gave its consent and blessings for the creation of the Diocese of Awka. The Conference was satisfied that the new Diocese has met the laid down procedures for creation of a new Diocese as provided for in section 185 of the Methodist Church Nigeria, 2021 Constitution. Following the nod of the conference, Very Revd. Onyekachi Moses Nwakanma was elected Bishop of Awka on Sunday 14th August, 2022; and was consecrated on Saturday 12th November, 2022 at Methodist Trinity Church Council, Tinubu Square, Lagos. Tomorrow, Thursday, 27th April, 2023, the Diocese of Awka will be inaugurated and Rt. Rev. Onyekachi Moses Nwakanma will be enthroned as the first Bishop of the Methodist Diocese of Awka.
Rt. Rev. Nwakanma was born on 7th May, 1974 as the sixth child of late Mr. Harrison Ahamefula and Mrs. Onubuchi Nwakanma of Amaelu-Amaeke, Lohum Imenyi in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. He had an encounter with the Lord Jesus which led to his new birth experience through the ministry of a blind brother on the 6th of January, 1991. He is married to Ezinne Lydia Ogbeyialu Nwakanma and the marriage is blessed with children. Rt. Rev. Nwakanma candidated into the ordained ministry of Methodist Church Nigeria in 1997. He was commissioned a deacon in the year 2000, ordained in 2003 and preferred a Presbyter in 2010.
Therefore, by divine will and authority of Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria, tomorrow, Thursday, 27th April, 2023, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, JP, the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria will inaugurate the Diocese of Awka with its seat at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Amenyi, Awka and enthrone Right Reverend Moses Onyekachi Nwakama as Bishop of the Diocese at the solemn service which will begin at 10am prompt.
To God be the Glory.
Written by VERY REVD DR, KENNEDY UGAH
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