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Tag: anglican church

  • BREAKING: Anglican Bishop, Jolly Oyekpen is dead

    BREAKING: Anglican Bishop, Jolly Oyekpen is dead

    Rt. Rev. Jolly Oyekpen, the Bishop of the Diocese of Akoko Edo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bishop Oyekpen, born in Iruekpen, Edo State and educated at Obafemi Awolowo University, died on Monday.

    Oyekpen, who was billed to mark his birthday anniversary on September 7th, was until 2021 the National Coordinator of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Nigeria.

    He passed away at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State after he complained of brief illness.

    Born in 1966, Oyekpen was elected Bishop in 2007 to pioneer the Diocese of Akoko-Edo.

    He was married to Mrs. Victoria Emilomon Oyekpen with whom they have children together. Oyekpen’s demise has thrown his immediate family and the Anglican church in general into mourning.

    “His approachable and youthful nature will be how Bishop Oyekpen will be remembered,” a statement by the Anglican Church reads.

  • No social class should have dominion over another in Nigeria – Anglican Primate

    No social class should have dominion over another in Nigeria – Anglican Primate

    The Anglican Primate of all Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has said no social class should have dominion over the other in Nigeria, saying that the country belongs to everyone.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ndukuba, also the Metropolitan Archbishop gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday at the Conference of Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers from the Anglican dominion.

    Speaking at the conference with the theme: ”Behold, I will do a new thing,” Ndukuba has tasked all eligible Nigerians to ensure that they participate in the 2023 general elections to elect credible leaders for the country.

    He said Nigerians must use their votes to elect credible leaders that would turn around things in the county for the better.

    He said that the conference was aimed at enhancing the welfare of the citizens through the operation of the church judicial team.

    According to Ndukuba, the Church with its members in the judiciary is meeting to consider their role in the church and society.

    ”There are issues and the team will have to consider better ways on how to work in the communities. It is a time also for fellowship, a time to reconsider, renew and reinvigorate, encourage everyone to be in prayers for the judiciary and country at large,” he said.

    The primate urged the legal team to challenge every injustice in society.

    “We have encouraged them not to shy away from taking a stand that will work for the good of the people for justice to prevail in our land. They are advised to stand for that which is right in society.

    “They have been advised to use their positions to assist, speak and stand for the ordinary citizens. As far as we all are all concerned we are created and called to serve humanity,” he said.

    Ndukuba said that there was a need for leaders to be sensitive to things that worry the masses.

    ”Show sensitivity as far as our ethnic and tribal linings are concerned, sensitivity as far as our religions and interest are concerned also as far as our social engagements are concerned and our socio-cultural issues and interest are to be taken into consideration,” he said.

    He added: “I want to urge lawyers, judges and legislatures to tow the sort of rectitude, the line that will bring peace, build up the life of the nation as we share with one another.

    “No religion should have dominion over another, no ethnic group should have dominion over others. No social class should have dominion over the other as Nigeria belong to everyone. Any choice anyone was making he or she should put into consideration the aforementioned”.

    He said lopsidedness in appointments, sharing of resources, employment and utilisation or assigning of duties should be avoided. He said that the yearnings, aspirations and voices of the ordinary citizens should be listened to. The Primate said that the church engaged in all activities in society that will improve the lives of people.

  • Kidnapped Anglican Bishop, wife, driver regain freedom

    The Abducted Bishop, Rt. Rev. Aderogba Adeyinka of Jebba Anglican Diocese, his wife and driver, have regained freedom from their abductors.

    Aderogba, his wife and driver were kidnapped on Sunday at about 9.00 p.m., after their vehicle broke down at an isolated spot on the new Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway while travelling from Yewa, Ogun State to Jebba, Kwara State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the release of the victims in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    Osifeso said that the victims were rescued unhurt by police personnel around 6.20 p.m. on Tuesday.

    He said that the massive deployment of police personnel for the operation to rescue the victims and the domination of the entire area by the Police Tactical teams put pressure on the abductors to free the victims.

    Osifeso said that the victims had been reunited with their family while investigation was still ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

  • BREAKING: Just like RCCG, Anglican Church sets up political department ahead of 2023 elections

    BREAKING: Just like RCCG, Anglican Church sets up political department ahead of 2023 elections

    Just like the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has set up a department in the church for political mobilization ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the political department in the Anglican Communion was announced by the Primate and Metropolitan of all Nigeria, His Grace, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba.

    He made the announcement at the final stage of the 2022 Joshua Generation International Youth Conference, where he also commissioned some other new important departments in the church.

    Our correspondent gathered that the political department is meant to mentor youths in the Anglican church and prepare them ready to actively participate in Nigerian politics.

    The political department is also to serve as a platform to encourage church members on the importance of getting their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) and participating actively during elections.

    The new department is also to help coordinate the engagement of the church members who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilize support for them.

    While the scope of the department is yet to be fully defined, the general aim of the political department, according to the Primate, is to mobilise members of the Anglican church to actively participate in politics.

    TNG reports the Church of Nigeria is the Anglican church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest province in the Anglican Communion after the Church of England.

    As of 2016, membership of the church, measured was pegged at over 18 million. It is the largest Anglican province on the continent of Africa, accounting for 41.7% of Anglicans in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Recall that the RCCG had announced a similar political department in the church that was met with so much criticism recently.

    While the RCCG gave a blanket reason on why it’s political department was set up, some members of the public, mostly on social media attributed the move to the presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Meanwhile, Primate Ndukuba also commissioned a department in charge of assisting students, who wish to study abroad via scholarships or self funded.

    Ndukuba also commissioned Church of Nigeria Football club to be registered into Nigerian Premier league with the recruitment of players expected to begin soon.

    TNG reports the Primate also commissioned a department for mission outreach.

  • Anglican Church dismisses priest over alleged misconduct

    Anglican Church dismisses priest over alleged misconduct

    The Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Anambra, has sacked one of its priests, Lumenkristi Eboh, over alleged misconduct and disobedience.

    The Deputy Chancellor, Sir Ben Uzuegbu, made the announcement on behalf of the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, at a news conference on Thursday in Onitsha.

    Uzuegbu said the priest absconded when he was invited by the Bishop to give explanations to allegations brought against him.

    He added that efforts to restore him to face his work in the church as an ordained priest proved abortive as he continued with his unwholesome lifestyle.

    “The Bishop on the Niger is besieged with lots of petitions against Lumenkristi Eboh. All the petitions border on acts of impropriety and unwholesome conduct not expected of a priest.

    “A panel was set up to look into the allegations and he was placed on suspension while the matter was being looked into. He also refused to make himself available to answer to the petitions.

    “When he knew that the panel was about to submit its report, he rushed to declare that he was resigning from the church.

    “The church has now taken a firm step by withdrawing his licence and dismissing him as an Anglican Priest, so that tomorrow when he calls himself a Reverend or Canon, you will know that he is an imposter.

    “His licence has been withdrawn and he is no longer an Anglican priest,” he said.

    It would be recalled that the Eboh had accused the diocesan authority of high-handedness, harassment, conspiracy and character defamation.

    He accused Bishop Nwokolo of insisting that his Ministry’s registered trustees be altered to include him (Nwokolo) and wife.

    He also accused the Bishop of engaging agents to spread rumours of sexual misconduct and voodooism against him.

    On the alleged Bishop’s insistence to be included as a trustee of the priest’s Ministry, Uzuegbu said the constitution did not make provision for a priest to register a parallel church while serving under the church.

    “The constitution of the Diocese is firm on that fact and every priest with any call is expected to adhere.

    “Also, there are several petitions written by well-meaning female organisations and lawyers on alleged sexual misconduct and voodooism by Eboh.

    “These issues lingered following the Bishop’s patience and tolerance to see if Eboh would repent. Since priesthood is sacred, we did not deem it fit to make it public,” he said.

  • IPOB reveals source of funding, opens up on brains behind insecurity in Imo

    IPOB reveals source of funding, opens up on brains behind insecurity in Imo

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has finally revealed their source of funding and also revealed the brains behind insecurity in the South East, especially Imo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports IPOB made this known in its latest statement titled: Abduction of Uche Nwosu has exposed masterminds of insecurity in Imo state.

    The statement signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful averred that no single individual can sponsor the organisation.

    “For the umpteenth time, no single individual can sponsor IPOB. We are a global movement and millions of our family members home and abroad remain the source of our sponsorship.

    “We have never hidden this fact because we are not a secret or terror organisation. IPOB is well grounded and we don’t need any Okorocha, Uche Nwosu or Hope Uzodinma or any politician for that matter to sponsor us.

    “We have no dealings with corrupt politicians and people with questionable source of wealth,” the statement reads in part.

    However, on the arrest of the Imo state 2019 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, Uche Nwosu at St Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday, the group condemned the incident, stressing that Nwosu’s incident of Sunday has again vindicated the group.

    “This is another vindication that IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) are not responsible for the numerous attacks, abductions/kidnappings in Imo State contrary to false accusations and propaganda, But God Almighty, Chukwu Okike Abiama, has exposed them this time around.

    “It’s now transparently obvious to all who the masterminds of the abductions/ killings of many traditional rulers and religious leaders including politicians in Imo State and other parts of South East are.

    “It is also now clear who created unknown gunmen to demonise and implicate IPOB and ESN operatives. God Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama who designed this fight for Biafra freedom and independence has always vindicated us and will continue to vindicate IPOB/ESN,” the statement added.

  • Anglican Church blows hot over arrest of Okorocha’s son-in-law

    Anglican Church blows hot over arrest of Okorocha’s son-in-law

    …we want to see those who desecrated St Peter’s Church punished – Bishop Okeke

    The Most Rev Dr David O. C Onuoha Archbishop, Anglican Province of Owerri has broken his silence after the invasion of St Peter’s Church Eziama Obaire by the police on Sunday.

    The Archbishop in a statement made available to newsmen condemned what he called the “gestapo style” invasion.

    According to him, “That the police jumped inside the church in a gestapo style when the service was in full session is reprehensible, primitive, and highly condemnable.”

    Though, he said the Church was at a loss over why caution was thrown to the winds by the police, “The Church will in the next few days engage the Nigerian Police in a dialogue to truly understand the reasons behind this dastardly act and how to avoid a repeat occurrence.”

    The statement titled: Re: Desecration of St Peter’s Church Eziama Obaire reads below:

    It was a black Sunday yesterday December 26 2021 as armed men in uniform invaded St Peter’s Anglican Church Eziama Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area, Diocese of Orlu in Imo State and roundly desecrated God’s sanctuary.

    The officiating priest had barely concluded the celebration and administration of the Holy Eucharist, ready for the end of year thanksgiving, when armed men stormed the church. The Nigerian Police latter explained that it was for the purpose of effecting an arrest.

    Much as we are not concerned or interested in the reason for this invasion, which is unprecedented in the more than 160 years history of the church in this state, we are gravely worried and disturbed that worshippers were greatly frightened, worried, confused and completely disorganized by the presence of heavily armed security operatives in the church service thereby disrupting the worship of God’s people.

    That the police jumped inside the church in a gestapo style when the service was in full session is reprehensible, primitive, and highly condemnable. We are at a great loss why the police decided to throw caution to the winds and completely ignore internationally acclaimed rules of engagement and civility in this matter. The sporadic gunshots outside the church building sent worshippers scampering in different directions, signaling an abrupt and chaotic end of the service.

    While the church is in support of and have always been praying for the success of our security personnel in the daunting task and challenge of securing lives and property in our dear state and every effort at bringing the perpetrators/sponsors of this crime against humanity to book no matter how highly placed, we warn that such acts as the one in issue are capable of worsening the security challenges we are currently facing.

    The Church will in the next few days engage the Nigerian Police in a dialogue to truly understand the reasons behind this dastardly act and how to avoid a repeat occurrence. While this process is on, we urge all Christians to continue in prayers for God’s mercy on all of us and peace in our land.

    Most Rev Dr David O. C Onuoha

    Archbishop, Anglican Province of Owerri.

    (Feast of St John the Apostle, 27th December 2021).

  • Don’t jeopardize our future with excessive loans, Anglican Church begs Buhari

    Don’t jeopardize our future with excessive loans, Anglican Church begs Buhari

    …demands an urgent redress of the situation

    … issues a seven-point demand

    …as Sanwo-olu, Wike, Akeredolu, others bag award for courage

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion rose from its four day Standing Committee (The highest policy making of the church made up of the house of Bishops , Clergy, Laity and Bishop wives) in Lagos and issued a seven-point demand on the State of the Nation.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the Church in the communique late Thursday evening, condemned the incessant killings, kidnappings, religious intolerance across Nigeria.

    The Church made a special appeal to the Federal Government and the federating units to urgently find a panacea to the terrible state of insecurity in Nigeria before it snowballs into an alarming situation.

    On external debt, without mincing words the body said:”The Church is concerned at the rate at which government is borrowing, thereby increasing the national debts portfolio.

    “The Standing Committee urges government to exercise restraints in further borrowing so as not to jeopardise the future of all Nigerians.

    Also, at the meeting, Governors Nyesom Wike, Babajide Sanwo-olu, Dapo Abiodun, Rotimi Akeredolu bagged awards for their courageous and outstanding leadership.

    Read full communique below:

    THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) HOSTED BY THE DIOCESE OF LAGOS, AT ARCHBISHOP ADEBOLA AND OLURANTI ADEMOWO RESOURCE CENTRE, FAITH PLAZA, BARIGA, LAGOS STATE, FROM MONDAY, 20TH TO FRIDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2021.

    PREAMBLE: The Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) which was held from Monday, 20th September to Friday, 24th September, 2021 was presided over by the Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, accompanied by his wife and National President of the Mother’s Union, Mrs Angela Eberechukwu Ndukuba, attended by 163 Bishops, 151 Clergy and 97 lay delegates. Also in attendance were 4 Bishops from the Province of the Anglican Chruch in North America (ACNA), led by its Primate and Chairman of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), the Most Reverend Dr Foley Beach.

    The Standing Committee received guests at the opening ceremony, including His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Barr. Chief Nyesom Ezebunwor Wike, CON, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), the Executive Governor of Ondo State, represented by his Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, His Excellency, Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, represented by the Most Reverend Michael Fape, Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Remo, and Hon. Prof. Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, all of whom were recipients of the Primatial awards for their courageous and outstanding leadership in our nation at this challenging times.

    THEME: The theme, “Abiding in Christ: God’s Panacea in an Unstable World,” was taken from John 15: 1 – 8. The theme was exhaustively exposed through the Primatial Address, Bible Study and Sermons. The meeting calls on Christians to abide in God as the only panacea in an unstable world.

    INSECURITY AND INSTABILITY IN NIGERIA:

    The Church expresses its sympathy to the communities affected by violence and issues of insecurity in various dimensions, spreading all over the country. The church laments the gruesome killing of one of its clergy in the Diocese of Orlu, the Rev Emeka Merenu. It calls on the Government at various levels to take actions that would restore confidence in its ability to protect lives and stem the tide of despair and hopelessness, urging them to ensure that the killers are identified and brought to book. The unabated kidnapping of school children in the country portends grave danger not only to the education of our children but also to the nation’s development. The

    church condemns the fragile state of National insecurity due to religious extremism, terrorism, violence, attacks and killings all over the country; and urging it to urgently rise to address the situation.

    NEW WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: The Standing Committee bemoans the unfortunate situation which the case of ‘Corona Virus December 2019’ (COVID-19) pandemic brought to the world. The Church appreciates the Government’s efforts to vaccinate the people against this pandemic and wants the efforts to be taken to all parts of Nigeria. The Standing Committee therefore calls on everyone to take precautionary measures and observe all protocols of COVID-19 and its variants.

    EDUCATION AND JOB CREATION: The Church calls on the government to make efforts at addressing issues of youth unemployment. The Standing Committee, therefore, urges the government to make Nigeria attractive to Foreign Investors. It proposes a re- orientation in our educational system that will be relevant in the contemporary world. In this direction, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has decided to establish the Anglican University of Technology.

    ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS IN NIGERIA: The Church notes that the regularity of industrial actions in Nigeria is alarming, adversely affecting the economic development of Nigeria. The Standing Committee recommends that all stakeholders involved in industrial relations should adopt Conciliation/Mediation and other Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The Standing Committee urges the Government to endeavor to keep the agreements reached at the roundtable conference between them and various organisations.

    INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: The Standing Committee commends the Federal Government on diversification of the nation’s transport system by the introduction of rail transport and the ongoing construction of the second Niger Bridge. It calls on the government to expedite actions to complete the projects. However, the Church is worried over the durability of some of the roads constructed.

    EXTERNAL DEBTS: The Church is concerned at the rate at which government is borrowing, thereby increasing the national debts portfolio. The Standing Committee urges government to exercise restraints in further borrowing so as not to jeopardise the future of all Nigerians.

    ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA: The General elections will hold again in Nigeria in 2023. The meeting encourages all Christians to be involved in the electoral processes. The Church admonishes the National Assembly to revisit the issues of Direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting system. As the gubernatorial election approaches in Anambra State, the Standing Committee, enjoins all stakeholders to embrace equity, justice, fairness, and good conscience in all political permutations and engagements.

    AGITATIONS: The Church observes that many are clamouring for self-determination because of varying forms of injustice in governance in the country. It therefore urges government to initiate dialogues and inclusive governance to address the reasons for the agitations and stop gagging people with opposing views.

    HEALTHCARE: The Standing Committee calls on the Government to urgently redress the lapses in the country’s health system. It urges the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to as a matter of urgency, establish functional centers in the six geopolitical zones.

    WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE: The Church observes with grave concern one of the monsters confronting our nation as drug abuse and addiction. Nigeria is fast becoming a major drug hub in the world. The Standing Committee commends the Federal Government for efforts of ‘National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency’ (NDLEA), in curbing drug trafficking. The church has gone further in supporting the efforts of the Government by declaring a war against drug abuse and addiction through her initiative called ‘Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative’ (ACADI).

    AFGHANISTAN: The Church stands with the Christian believers in Afghanistan, and calls on the international community to prevail on the powers in Afghanistan to respect the peoples’ Fundamental Human Rights of Freedom of Religious Faith and Practices.

    CONCLUSION: In line with the theme of the Standing Committee, it is necessary to die to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord and the obedience to the Word. This will enable all Christians to abide in Christ in this unstable world and in our nation Nigeria that is passing through a very challenging time.

    Signed

    The Venerable Dr Gershinen Paul Dajur, General Secretary, Church of Nigeria.

    The Most Reverend Dr Ali Buba Lamido, Dean, Church of Nigeria.

    The Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, MA, BD, MA (Ed), Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria.

  • Drama as church member drags pastor from pulpit during sermon

    Drama as church member drags pastor from pulpit during sermon

    A member of the Kalingalinga Anglican Church in Lusaka, Zambia has gone on the run and is being hunted by police after dragging a priest from the pulpit and beating him up.

    The clergyman was this morning delivering a sermon when a congregant only identified as Mwale walked to the pulpit and ordered him to halt the preaching.

    When the priest ignored the order to stop preaching, Mwale is said to have dragged his victim from the pulpit and started punching him.

    Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo had confirmed the assault and said a manhunt for Mwale had been launched.

    “It is alleged that the accused person went to the pulpit where the priest was and ordered him to stop preaching , and when the Priest resisted, he begun dragging him and also punched him on the face with fists and he sustained swollen lips,” Katongo stated.

    “Initial investigations have revealed that the accused person is among a group of church members fighting the Priest over the church car park space. It is further alleged that the Priest has been calling for church elections and this has angered some church members,” added Katongo.

    A medical report form has been issued and a manhunt for the suspect who is currently on the run has been launched.

    Katongo said when police officers went to the church, they found the church locked and members dispersed.

  • #EndSARS: Anglican Primate urges govt to engage youths constructively

    #EndSARS: Anglican Primate urges govt to engage youths constructively

    The Primate of All Nigeria Church (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has urged the Federal and State governments to engage the youths constructively in the ongoing peaceful protest.

    Ndukuba, who gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja on Monday stressed that Government must urgently address the neglect and poor conditions of service of the Nigeria Police Force through holistic reforms.

    “The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has in the past week observed the ongoing #EndSARS protests and wishes to express its solidarity with the courageous young people of this country.

    “They have been peacefully protesting police brutality, impunity and injustice in cities across Nigeria.

    “The undeniable tales of untold brutality and atrocities allegedly committed by this particular Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which have come to light, must be thoroughly investigated and the culprits made to face the due process of law.

    “The Church cannot be silent in the midst of such credible reports of widespread abuse of power and oppression of citizens, especially by those empowered by the state to protect citizens rights, lives and property,” he said.

    While commending the government prompt action in disbanding the SARS unit, Ndukuba said that the government must resist the temptation to immediately replace SARS with another unit by whatever name.

    “The government must first fully assimilate the demands on behalf of countless victims of police brutality and address the issues of gross abuse of power and privilege.

    “Violation of human rights, and the consequences of youth frustration and anger highlighted through the ongoing #EndSARS, EndSWAT protest.

    “As a Church and as Nigerian citizens of all faiths we have a responsibility to help reshape our country.

    “The #EndSARS cry against those who perpetuate and perpetrate injustice by spilling innocent blood in our land is a passionate appeal for the enforcement of the rule of law that the government should embrace.

    “We therefore pray for wisdom for our political leaders at all IeveIs to explore peaceful and non-violent means to contain this crisis and bring an end to impunity and injustice in all its forms and ramifications in Nigeria.

    “We pray also for our youth generally and especially for all those participating in the protests at this time, to remain peaceful and law abiding, and also for wisdom and calm to focus on realizing the change in our country that all Nigerians seek,” he added.