Anglican Communion marks 164 years of Christianity in Igbo Land

… CAN Chairman tasks church leaders to beef up security

By Chukwudum Ebele

All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Inland town and Onitsha Central Archdeaconries joined other Christian faithfuls of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria as they mark 164 years anniversary of advent of gospel of Christianity in Igbo Land.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke has tasked Church leaders to beef up security around their facilities saying that enemies of Christianity may decide to target church services.

The event was characterised with pomp, merriments, road shows, motorcade with gospel music and dancing followed by motely crowd sharing gospel tracts, rejoicing because of the benefits of Christianity.

Speaking at the event, the Sub Dean, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Venerable Samuel Ezewudo stated that the advent of the gospel of Christianity brought illumination and civilization to Nigeria.

He said that before the coming of Christianity through Church Missionary Society (CMS) in 1857 to the South Eastern and part of South Southern Nigeria people were in darkness.

“Our motto is Lux Fiat (Show the light). The greatest need of an unbeliever is salvation. You must Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After that you need transformation inside out to enable you live above corruption and other vices.Then a Christian needs empowerment, character and humility to influence the society positively”, said Ezewudo.

The trio of the Diocesan Accountant, Ven. Francis Orah, Diocesan legal Adviser, Barr. Humphrey Udechukwu and former President, Gideon on the Niger,. Hon Barr. Chuba Oranusi KSC in their separate speeches noted that July 27 of every year is the day we celebrate the coming of the gospel of Christianity through the CMS and led by Bishop Ajayi Crowther to Igbo Land.

“People were living in darkness, impoverishment, and some were into cannibalism. Slave trade, killing of twins, devilish idolatry were practiced before the CMS brought the good news.Most staple foods like Yam, cassava, rice etc others like coconut, breadfruit were brought by the missionaries.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ brought civilisation, proper clothing, development through science and technology, education, hospitals and healthcare just like Iyienu Mission Hospital and the abolition of inhuman practices. Today, we have every reason to serve and worship God because we are beneficiaries. Some of us, our parents or relatives could have been killed because they were born twins”, they said.

At Onitsha Central Archdeaconry, Ven Isreal Odita flanked by the Planning Committee Chairman, Rev. Canon Kperechukwu Nwankwo after thanking God that Diocese on the Niger was still blossoming with the gospel admonished Christians never to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ which brought illumination to the world praying that the Gospel light should not be quenched in this generation.”Christians should carry on the great commission from where the early missionaries stoped”.

Meanwhile, at Inland town Archdeaconry, the Anambra State Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke after narrating the exploits of the Church Missionary Society who jeopardized their lives to ensure that the gospel and civilization got to Africa hinterlands tasked Church leaders to beef up security around their churches saying that there was a security alert that enemies of Christianity disguised as bandits or gunmen were planning to attack churches.