ON THE NIGER COLLATES 4 ARCHDEACONS, 6 CANONS, ENJOINS NIGERIANS TO PRAY FOR THE NATION

(By Alex Uzoigwe)

        Apparently, in her avowed resolve to enhance the expansion of the kingdom of God in her domain, the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, today, Sunday, September 17, 2023, collated 10 ministers; four archdeacons and six canons, calling on Nigerians to pray for the nation.
          The collation which was held at the All Saints' Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State, was presided by the Diocesan, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo and was assisted by senior ministers of the diocese.
     The bishop had while conducting the rite appealed to Nigerians to devotedly pray for the welfare of the nation.
       He urged that special prayers should be directed to leaders at the federal and state levels, the National and State Assemblies as well as the judiciary.
     Soliciting the prayers, the bishop appealed, "Pray for our nation, Nigeria, ... the political class and all in the positions of authority and power in out land , that each may see the other as complementary to the smooth running of governance in  our land".
      The bishop had while collating the priests, subjected them to the oaths of submission, oaths of allegiance to God, the oaths of canonical obedience among others.
       The candidates, on their part, confessed that they were not members of secret cults and vowed never to be members, as they equally declared that they were not homosexuals or bi-sexuals, pledging to be morally responsible at all times.
        Earlier in the homily preceding the collation, a senior minister in the diocese, Ven Josiah Ofoegbu, had urged the collated priests to take their calling seriously, reminding them that much was expected of them as the shepherds of their flocks.
      He charged them to always make themselves dependable workmen that should not be ashamed to proclaim Christ before men, challenging them to always stand their ground in the face of difficulties and defend their faith.
  "Be strong enough to challenge satan in any way he might come and also, I urge you to be good and visionary leaders worthy of trust by the flocks you lead", Ven Ofoegbu advised the priests.
      The collated four archdeacons included: Ven Nwachukwu Okeke, Ven Ifeanyi Okpala, Ven Dr Samuel Uzodinma and Ven Albert Ikeokwu. 
     The six canons were;  Rev Canon Ndubuisi Amaechina, Rev Canon James Achugbu and Rev Canon Arthur Nnalue.
     The rest in included Rev Canon Dan Okeke, Rev Canon Dan Ukaegbu and Rev Canon Dan Nze.

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