Jubilation rocks CHS Awka, as Archbishop Ibezim prefers Rev Canon Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu Venerable

—-raises Millions for Paul University

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

Jubilation rocked Church of The Holy Spirit, (CHS) Awka, Anambra State Saturday when Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Awka Diocese, His Grace, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD,JP
pronounced the Vicar of the Church, Reverend Canon Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu as Venerable in the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion.

The Jubilation was overwhelming sequel to the circumstances that brought the Vicar 3 months ago to CHS, Awka to replace, Venerable Dr Rex Kanu, as Vicar.

The cheering news came at almost the end of the service for 2024 Diocesan Homage to reposition, restructure and rebuild Paul University, Awka with theme: Dry Bones shall rise again ,Ezekiel 37:3-10.

The service was presided over by the Archbishop who is the Proprietor of Paul University, Awka and conducted by the Vicar of CHS, Awka, Venerable Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu.

By the elevation of Rev Canon Dr Egwuonwu to Venerable, his wife, Barr Mrs Chioma Egwuonwu automatically has been elevated to a Vice-President to the wife of the Archbishop, Dr Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim (Nneoma), who is the President, Mothers’ Union , Women’s Guild and Girls Guild , Province of the Niger , and Diocese of Awka. Dr Mrs Ibezim was happy for Barr Chioma as she was elevated to a Vice-President of the Mothers Union, Women’s Guild and Girls Guild.

At the homage fund raising, women led Dr Mrs Ibezim, Archdeaconries, Churches and various organizations under the diocese including Council of Knights, Institutions to mention but a few raised hundreds of millions in support of Infrastructural upgrade of Paul University, Awka. That move was shocking even to the Proprietor of the Paul University.

The elevation came thus”…….come here. You are the Chaplain of the University. From today, you are Venerable Egwuonwu…..” and the church of God erupted in jubilation with each struggling to be first to congratulate ,Ven Egwuonwu and wife. It was a tensed moment but His Grace allowed it to settle before calling for Awka Diocesan Anthem and later recessional hymn.

In his homily, Archbishop Ibezim announced that Paul University Awka has risen from it’s shackles hence ,it’s a continuous concept of good news until it becomes buoyant to foot it’s bills. He announced that homage for the university shall be annual ,even as the university should prepare to host Awka Diocesan Synod as a sign of it’s buoyancy before his retirement.

He informed that multi million naira two faculties shall have their turning of sods performed after Synod and subsequently the university shall attain the status as the best university.

He warned those peddling negative rumours and speaking ill about the university to desist as, ” he has no time for frivolities”. He warned all those using the Paul University for politics, personal settlements and mockery to desist as it’s no longer business as usual. He encouraged all those who fought Awka diocese from taking over Paul University to turn a new leaf.

Archbishop Ibezim encouraged staff of Paul University Awka to unite and push the success of the university beyond imagination until it becomes the best university in the zone. He asked them to shun all forms of confusion , adding that March 9th of every.year , the day Awka Diocese was created shall be the Diocesan homage for Paul University Awka. Anglican Diocese of Awka was created 9th March ,1987.

The Homage Commitee led by the President-General Uke Development Union, Mr Peter Onyejegbu were not in the picture in the service but were later prayed for by the Archbishop at the vicarage for undertaking the fundraising. Other members of the committee include the Secretary, Mrs Ngozi Egoh, Mrs Kate Nwokolo,
Dr Sir Chinedu Ilokanuno, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, and Hon Sir Barr John Onyeakpa. Others were
Maazi Ossy Akutekwe, and
Lady Ogugua Ochuba.

Laity of the Church and PCC in appreciation presented by Justice CEK Anigbogu, Kalajine, retired appreciated Archbishop Ibezim for the elevation of Rev Canon Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu as Venerable, pledging the solidarity of the Church of The Holy Spirit Awka to his Lordship and Episcopacy. He noted that the church shall have a tremendous improvement in a year’s time.

Meanwhile, on Sunday after the 2024 Diocesan Homage to reposition Paul University, Ordinand Joseph Emmanuel from Diocese of Abuja ,though an indigene of Kaduna gave a message of hope with theme: ‘Following the good shepherd’.

Ordinand Joseph who is a student of Paul University, Awka told Christians that living in ignorance is a confirmation one is already dead in Christ Jesus, hence the need to be spiritually alert always by holding on to the light of God.

He encouraged Christians not to do anything out of selfish ambition but to diligently dedicate themselves to God as herdsmen do to their cows. He illustrated that Christians should be hearing the voice of God as cows hear the voices of Fulani herdsmen who actually know each cow by name and each cow knows the voice of it’s shepherd.

He insisted that anything that happens in the physical has correspondence in the spiritual realm hence Christians should stop all forms of costly assumptions, while thinking they are serving God.

The Church service had three families thanking God for safety, healing grace and consolation. The families were Barr Raphael Chukwuzubelu , Mr Ugochukwu & Ngozi Okonkwo and family of late Edmond Nweke Ogunta.

Homage Commitee led by the President-General Uke Development Union, Mr Peter Onyejegbu were prayed for undertaking the fundraising. Other members of the committee include the Secretary, Mrs Ngozi Egoh, Mrs Kate Nwokolo,
Dr Sir Chinedu Ilokanuno, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, and Hon Sir Barr John Onyeakpa. Others were
Maazi Ossy Akutekwe, and
Lady Ogugua Ochuba.