Soludo missing, as Deputy, Obi, Umeh, 100 Archbishops, and Bishops bury Anikwenwa
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo was missing in attendance as the remains of the late Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa, were buried in the State.
Recall that Anikwenwa, who was the former Archbishop of Province II and the Retired Bishop of Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), died aged 83 after a brief illness earlier in March this year
The late Archbishop was buried in his Awkuzu hometown on Thursday after a funeral service was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The burial service attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including the Primate Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishops, Bishops, clergymen, politicians, captains of industries, and scholars in Nigeria who bade the departed his final farewell.
Presidential Candidate of the Labour, Peter Obi, Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Senator Victor Umeh, Prof Lilian Orogbu and host of others were also on ground to pay their last respect to the late Bishop.
Speaking at the Service, the Primate, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, described late Anikwenwa as a true servant of God who led an exemplary and impactful life. He said the late Bishop lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation while on Earth.
Ndukuba said Bishop Anikwenwa was a servant of God who loved God and his people. “He lived by the principles of selfless sacrifice and servitude to God and his people. He also lived by the principle of looking forward to eternal reward.
“He was the man that cherished the Church Missionary Society (CMS) that has been bequeathed to us. He lived a life of a good sojourner and home builder. We thank God for the legacies that he has left behind. He invested in people and believed in the future and was a good team player and leader,” Ndukuba said.
Speaking further the Primate said the late prelate was a soldier that fought hard for the growth of the church in Nigeria. He stressed that his (Anikwenwa’s) demise is not only a loss to the church of Nigeria, but to the country at large.
In the other tributes, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim said Archbishop Anikwenwa was known for his ecumenism. He also said his legacies and developmental milestones will be remembered by the church, the state, and the country at large.
Similarly, Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim said the late prelate left indelible legacies in the Anglican Communion and the larger society, which will remain relevant in generations to come.
On his own, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, said the late Archbishop was a great Nigerian who contributed meaningfully to the growth of the church and nation.
According to him, “late Maxwell Anikwenwa was a great man who contributed meaningfully beyond his pastoral work of God in building a better Nigeria. If you know him very well, he involved himself in advocating for good governance and a better Nigeria. He was a great Nigerian and a great Igbo man.”
In the same vein, Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District at the Senate, Sir Victor Umeh, said Anikwenwa left the world in a blaze of glory. According to him, the late Archbishop was not just a great Christian and servant of God, but a strong and patriotic Igboman who dedicated his last years towards the service of the Igbo people in Nigeria.
Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Ikwerre, Niger Delta Province, Blessing Enyindah, urged all affected by the demise of the archbishop not to be troubled but to be comforted in Christ.
He urged Christians to examine the life they live, noting that they cannot live their life anyhow and against the will of God especially in the present perilous times.
