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Tag: Church of Nigeria

Church of Nigeria

  • JUST IN: Church of Nigeria elects 7 Bishops, 4 Archbishops

    JUST IN: Church of Nigeria elects 7 Bishops, 4 Archbishops

    The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has elected Bishops to fill the vacant Episcopal Sees in seven of its dioceses and four internal Ecclesiastical Provinces.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Bishops and Archbishops were elected during the Episcopal Synod of the Anglican Church held on Monday at St Matthew’s Church, Maitama in Abuja.

    The 7 Bishops that were elected are Ven. Ephraim Gongdem for Jos Diocese, Ven Dr John Obinali for Okigwe Diocese and Ven. Prof Sam Ike for Enugu Diocese.

    Others are Ven. Dr. Godwin Odubena for Ijebu North Diocese, Ven. Bernard Hanson for Ahoada Diocese, Ven Titus Alkali for Wusasa Diocese and Ven Samuel O. Ifeyemi for Osun North Diocese.

    Meanwhile, the newly elected Archbishops are Rt. Rev’d Sosthenes Eze, Bishop of Enugu North Diocese for Enugu Province; and Most Rev’d Israel Afolabi Amao, Bishop of New Bussa Diocese for Kwara Province.

    Others are Rt Rev’d Dr Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese for Ibadan Province, and Most Rev’d Daniel Yisa, Bishop of Minna Diocese for Lokoja Province.

    TNG reports the newly elected Bishops and Archbishops were announced by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba at the end of the Episcopal Synod.

    According to a statement by Korede Akintunde, the Church of Nigeria Communication Officer, Primate Ndukuba called on the newly elected Bishops and Archbishops to pray and seek God’s face for the power of God in their new roles.

    The statement reads: “The Primate who congratulated the newly elected Bishops and Archbishops, prayed that God will grant them wisdom, strength and good health, to pilot the affairs of the people of God in their respective Dioceses and Provinces.

    “He, however, called on all members of the Church to pray and support the newly elected Bishops and their families, as they go into their new places of assignments after the due processes, training and consecration.

    “The Primate added that the Consecration of the Bishops-elect and the presentation Archbishops-elect will hold on Wednesday 18th of September 2024 during the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church being hosted by Nike Diocese in Enugu State”.

  • Church of Nigeria condemns England’s approval of same-sex marriage liturgy

    Church of Nigeria condemns England’s approval of same-sex marriage liturgy

    The Church of Nigeria has condemned the recent approval of the “Living in Love and Faith Liturgy” by the General Synod of the Church of England.

    The decision, taken on 8 July 2024 in York, authorises blessings for same-sex couples and allows clergy to enter into same-sex marriages, a move seen by the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion as a departure from Biblical teachings.

    NAN reports that the vote results in favour of the decision were narrow: Bishops – 22 for, 12 against, Clergy: –  99 for, 88 against and Laity – 95 for, 91 against.

    Despite the slim margin, the Church of Nigeria expressed grave concern, stating that the Church of England has chosen to “walk away from our cherished Biblical truth and teaching on Marriage between man and woman; male and female,” as affirmed in Genesis 2:18-24 and Matthew 19:4-6.

    Emphasising that the approval signifies a departure from the doctrinal commitments of the Anglican Church, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba accused the Church of England’s bishops of sacrificing Scriptural authority for modern cultural trends.

    According to him, thus jeopardising the unity and sacramental communion within the Anglican Communion.

    Ndukuba warned that proceeding with the liturgy could lead to a “Broken Sacramental Communion” with the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican provinces that uphold traditional Biblical teachings.

    He recalled the 2003 controversy involving the Episcopal Church (USA) and the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson, which similarly threatened the unity of the Anglican Communion.

    He said that the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its solidarity with the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), GAFCON, and other faithful Anglicans worldwide in denouncing the approval.

    The Church as a body described the decision as an “error of great magnitude” and a violation of Biblical teachings on marriage.

    Commending those who opposed the decision, Ndukuba assured support and fellowship for the faithful members and parishes within the Church of England who continue to uphold Scriptural authority.

    He reiterated  the Church of Nigeria’s commitment to the truth and expressed hope that the truth of God would ultimately prevail over falsehood.

    Ndukuba, however prayed for the Anglicans in the Church of England, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their obedience to Christ despite the challenges posed by the recent decision.

  • 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.

  • Church of Nigeria affirms rejection of homosexuality

    Church of Nigeria affirms rejection of homosexuality

    The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Sunday affirmed its rejection of homosexuality, vowing to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    The Primate, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, made the position of the church known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    “The Church of Nigeria affirms its total rejection of homosexuality, and will surely stand to defend the truth of the gospel based on the injunctions and ethical principles of the Holy Bible,’’ Ndukuba said.

    The statement is entitled, ‘‘Church of Nigeria’s Position on the Recent Developments in Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)”.

    He condemned recent signing of a letter which, he said, recognised and promoted homosexuality in ACNA.

    The cleric called for sanctions against bishops, priests and laity in ACNA Province who signed the letter.

    Ndukuba said that the letter might have brought the Church to ridicule on biblical teachings about Christian marriage and human sexuality.

    “We appreciate Archbishop Foley Beach’s intervention by which the offensive gay Anglican letter was removed from the web, but this has not cured the diseases that have set in, neither has it mitigated the damage this has done by the public advertisement and the changing perception of the ACNA stand on Biblical orthodoxy.

    “A gay is a gay, he cannot be rightly described otherwise.

    “We cannot describe people as Christian murderers or Christian adulterers, neither should we have gay Christians or gay Anglican.

    “Without holiness, no man shall see God,’’ the cleric said.

    He advised ACNA to take a clear stand on homosexuality and same -sex relations of all types.

  • Outgoing Anglican Primate charges Buhari to tackle security challenges

    Outgoing Anglican Primate charges Buhari to tackle security challenges

    The outgoing Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Nicholas Okoh has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Okoh, who the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has been elected to replace, made the call on Wednesday in Asaba at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Asaba.

    In his message, the outgoing Primate of Anglican Communion thanked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his support to the Church and called on the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the country.

    Speaking on “Fight The Good Fight Of Faith,” the Primate urged Christians not to be deterred in their efforts to win souls for Christ, urging them to shun greed, selfishness, ambition, division, sin, heretic doctrines, and the like.

    Governor Okowa, who was present at the event, urged Nigerians to shun negative attitudes towards the country, but project it in positive light.

    He cautioned that citizens must resist the temptation, no matter how strong, to join those in the habit of continually condemning and speaking evil of the country and its leaders.

    He said “it is impossible for us to pray right and then speak wrong, because what happens after prayer is as important, if not more important, than the actual prayer.

    “Our words as Christians are powerful; negative words carry the power to invalidate our prayers and derail our expectations.

    “So, let us all take heed and begin today to speak healing, peace, prosperity, progress and accelerated development to Nigeria.

    “My faith is that in no distant time, Nigeria will become one of the most sought-after countries in the world; it shall be well with us as we continue to stand in faith for Nigeria.

    “We need to also teach the flock to release their faith for the purpose of national development and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    “We are not often as determined and steadfast in exercising faith for a transformed Nigeria as we are when it comes to our personal needs.”

    He reaffirmed that Delta had been dedicated to God, saying “our trust is in Him and, therefore, we cannot be put to shame”.

    Okowa commended the Anglican Communion for its steadfastness in preaching the word of God, noting that all over the world, the pulpit was under severe pressure.

    According to him, congregants, having itchy ears, are hardening their ears to the truth and looking for preachers who will tell them what they want to hear.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari has congratulated Archbishop Ndukuba on his election as the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) by the Episcopal Synod of the Church.

    TNG reports the Most Rev. Ndukuba, who is Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese was elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Tuesday, rising from the episcopal synod of the Church held on Tuesday 24th September 2019 at the Cathedral Church of St Peter’s Asaba, Delta State.

    Born in 1959 from Anambra State of Nigeria, the Metropolitan/Primate elect was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe, with seven other Bishops on 21 September 1999.

    On 25 November 1999, the new diocese was inaugurated as the 71st diocese of the Church of Nigeria and he has the first bishop.

    At the General Synod Meeting which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on 22 September 2017, the House of Bishops elected Henry Ndukuba, Bishop of Gombe, as the new Archbishop of Jos. He succeeds Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos.

    Ndukuba, who was Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria, will succeed the Most Rev Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, who would be proceeding to retirement.

    Nduku, married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ndukuba, is noted for a sacrosanct spirituality devoid of ambiguity, and known for his unassuming gentle personality, however, rugged in evangelism.

    President Buhari’s congratulatory message was conveyed via a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The President also felicitated with members of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria on the successful election of a new spiritual leader, who will by the grace of God direct the affairs of the church in the next ten years.

    President Buhari appreciated the role of the Anglican Church in promoting interfaith dialogue, peace, stability, education and social welfare in the country.

    The president said he counted on the Primate-elect, ”to continue in propagating the qualities that epitomises the ministry of Jesus Christ, who taught his followers love, compassion and humility.”

    He also commended the outgoing Primate of the Church, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh, for his dedication, service and leadership, recounting the invaluable support this administration has received from the Church.

    The President wished Ndukuba, who is at present the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jo’s Province of Anglican Communion, a successful tenure as he begins a new phase of ministry as the fifth Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

  • Buhari congratulates Anglican Primate-elect, Archbishop Ndukuba

    Buhari congratulates Anglican Primate-elect, Archbishop Ndukuba

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba on his election as the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) by the Episcopal Synod of the Church.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Most Rev. Ndukuba, who is Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese was elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Tuesday, rising from the episcopal synod of the Church held on Tuesday 24th September 2019 at the Cathedral Church of St Peter’s Asaba, Delta State.

    Born in 1959 from Anambra State of Nigeria, the Metropolitan/Primate elect was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe, with seven other Bishops on 21 September 1999.

    On 25 November 1999, the new diocese was inaugurated as the 71st diocese of the Church of Nigeria and he has the first bishop.

    At the General Synod Meeting which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on 22 September 2017, the House of Bishops elected Henry Ndukuba, Bishop of Gombe, as the new Archbishop of Jos. He succeeds Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos.

    Ndukuba, who was Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria, will succeed the Most Rev Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, who would be proceeding to retirement.

    Nduku, married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ndukuba, is noted for a sacrosanct spirituality devoid of ambiguity, and known for his unassuming gentle personality, however, rugged in evangelism.

    President Buhari’s congratulatory message is conveyed via a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The President also felicitated with members of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria on the successful election of a new spiritual leader, who will by the grace of God direct the affairs of the church in the next ten years.

    President Buhari appreciated the role of the Anglican Church in promoting interfaith dialogue, peace, stability, education and social welfare in the country.

    The president said he counted on the Primate-elect, ”to continue in propagating the qualities that epitomises the ministry of Jesus Christ, who taught his followers love, compassion and humility.”

    He also commended the outgoing Primate of the Church, His Grace, the Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh, for his dedication, service and leadership, recounting the invaluable support this administration has received from the Church.

    The President wished Ndukuba, who is at present the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jo’s Province of Anglican Communion, a successful tenure as he begins a new phase of ministry as the fifth Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

  • BREAKING: Archbishop Henry Ndukuba elected new Primate of Church of Nigeria

    BREAKING: Archbishop Henry Ndukuba elected new Primate of Church of Nigeria

    The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Archbishop of Jos Province and Bishop of Gombe Diocese has been elected as the new Metropolitan/Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Archbishop Ndukuba was elected rising from the episcopal synod of the Church held on Tuesday 24th September 2019 at the Cathedral Church of St Peter’s Asaba, Delta State.

    Born in 1959 from Anambra State of Nigeria, the Metropolitan/Primate elect was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe, with seven other Bishops on 21 September 1999.

    On 25 November 1999, the new diocese was inaugurated as the 71st diocese of the Church of Nigeria and he has the first bishop.

    At the General Synod Meeting which was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on 22 September 2017, the House of Bishops elected Henry Ndukuba, Bishop of Gombe, as the new Archbishop of Jos. He succeeds Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos.

    Ndukuba, who was Chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee of the Church of Nigeria, will succeed the Most Rev Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh, who would be proceeding to retirement.

    Nduku, married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ndukuba, is noted for a sacrosanct spirituality devoid of ambiguity, and known for his unassuming gentle personality, however, rugged in evangelism.