2025 SYNOD DAY 1
The third session of the twelfth Synod of the Diocese of Abuja is being hosted by Gwarinpa Archdeaconry in St. Philips Church Team 6, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
REGISTRATION: Registration of delegates started at about 2 pm with designated points for Archdeaconries. Barr. Chinelo Eze, the Secretary to the Secretariat Sub-committee, stated that the process was very smooth, seamless and devoid of challenges, as people were directed to their designated stations for registration. Clergy and their wives were properly attended to, and they were duly registered.
SECURITY: Gen. Williams R. Obene (Rtd), who oversees the Security Committee/unit, said that security is in top gear with everything being put in place to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties throughout the Synod period.
MEDICALS: The personnel expressed how fully prepared they are to serve the Lord through medicals at this year’s Synod. They prayed for no emergencies, and if they occur, such will be promptly attended to, and all minor cases will be properly attended to. In terms of the drugs and manpower, they said, “We are fully prepared and ready by God’s grace”.
BOYS BRIGADE: Oladimeji Obabiyi, deputy commandant of ACB, in charge of the Boys Brigade, with his men on the ground to welcome the Primate and his Wife.
INTERVIEWS:
Sir Kene Nweke, the Chairman of the 2025 Synod Planning Committee of the Diocese of Abuja, being hosted by Gwarinpa Archdeaconry said that the synod is like the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of companies, but this is of the Church where we come together to deliberate on issues concerning the Church especially, on how the Church will continue to progress. He made mention of those who are expected to be in attendance, and they are: The house of Bishops, Clergy and Laity. He went further to say that it is symbolic for St. Philips Anglican Church Team 6, Gwarinpa, as this is the first time that a Parish and not the Archdeaconry Headquarters is hosting the Synod, he said that it is a good omen and looks forward to more good things in future.
The Ven. (Dr.) Paul Gershinen Dajur, the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, who is also the Vicar of St. Mathew’s Anglican Church and the host Archdeacon, expressed his excitement as this is the first synod he will be hosting as the Archdeacon since he came to Abuja in the last seven years. He expressed his excitement regarding the commitment made by members to ensure that the Synod was a success. He went further to say that “as a Nation, we are struggling with finances, but the committee did not allow that to deter them as they did all within their power to raise funds to shoulder the responsibilities of the Synod”. When asked what his expectations were, he said, “I look forward to seeing this synod ending on a grand and successful note, and I want it to be on record that it was a successful synod under my watch”.
The Ven. (Dr.) Princewill Ireoba, the Vicar of St. Philips Anglican Church Gwarinpa Abuja and the host Priest, gave all the glory to God that in the eight years of the Church existence and also being one of the youngest Churches in the Archdeaconry and the Diocese too, it was allowed to host the synod of the Diocese which was given to Gwarinpa Archdeaconry. He thanked everyone in the Archdeaconry for working in synergy to see the success of the Synod. He went further to say that after carrying out a huge project of putting up a Vicarage in the Church compound, which was dedicated last year 2024, then came the Synod and they were wondering how it will happen due to having little or nothing at hand, but in all of it, God came through. He prayed for the togetherness to continue and that the work in the Church will continue to prosper. He prayed that all the deliberations which will take place during the Synod will be great and move the church forward. At the end, he said “it is the Lord’s doing and favour”.
ARRIVAL: The Primate, His Grace, The Most Rev. (Dr) Henry .C. Ndukuba and his wife Mrs. Angela E. Ndukuba (Mama Nigeria) arrived at about 4:05pm. The Archdeacon and the host Parish Priest were at hand to officially welcome them. A guard of honour was mounted by the Boys and Girls Brigade to welcome them, after which the Primate and his Wife inspected the guards which were led by Happiness Edward, before dismissing them. Also, on hand to welcome the Primate and His wife were the Anglican Corpers Fellowship of Nigeria (ACFON) ably led by Comfort Chinyere Okorie. They removed their headdress and gave three hearty cheers to the Primate and his Wife. They also welcomed the Clergy with three hearty cheers too. At about 4:10pm, the Primate and his Wife were directed to the table designated for them to do their registration, and they were duly and respectfully registered.
PRIMATE’S SPEECH/INTERVIEW: He started by thanking God for the 2025 Synod with the Theme: Serve the Lord: Imperative For The Family Under God. He said, “At such a time when the family is facing hardship, challenges, and attacks on every side, it is good for us to ask, “what is the Lord saying to us, what should we do”? He went further to say that “often, there are challenges that take people out of focus and doing that which is right and good. Often, people throw care to the wind, and they begin to behave as though God does not exist or care about all that is happening to us. There are gods/idols, there are challenges/tribulations that come upon the family, and so it is time for the church to reflect on our work with God in order to see that we keep our families under God’s guidance, protection, provisions and blessings. If we turn against God, to whom shall we go? And if we turn our backs and say we don’t care, the enemy will finish us. Economically, most of us are struggling and spiritually, some are under pressure. With what is happening now, I think it is good for us to return to God”. He went further to encourage families to return to God and stand strong irrespective of the challenges, because the family is where the father, mother, and children are moulded. For the Nation Nigeria, he advised that no one should underestimate the problems, but above all, Nigeria should stand against some things, such as Corruption and the like. He commended President Tinubu’s administration for taking the difficult decisions of restructuring and repositioning our economy. He advised them to serve the people and make their needs a priority.
SERVICE COMMENCEMENT: The Synod opening service commenced at about 4:51 pm with processional hymn Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise Alleluia CONH 355, and the procession was in this order: the Choir, Lay readers, Evangelists, Clergy, the Legal Officials, followed by the Primate. The Boys Brigade marched in the colours, after which the Nigerian National Anthem was rendered.
CHURCH SERVICE PROPER: The conductor of the service was The Ven. Benjamin Ndume. Mrs. Kehinde Ajoni, the Registrar of the Diocese of Abuja and Church of Nigeria, read the Old Testament lesson from Joshua 24:1-15. The epistle taken from Acts 1:1-11 was read by The Rt. Rev. Titus Alkali, the Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, while Rev. Femi Ogundare, read the Holy Gospel from Luke 24:49-53. The sermon was delivered by The Ven. Oluwaseun Owoeye.
SERMON TOPIC: Serve The Lord: The Imperative For A Family Under God.
Text: Joshua 24:14-15; Deuteronomy 31:6
The preacher passionately expounded on the urgent call for families to serve the Lord. He emphasized that it was both a choice and a divine mandate. Drawing from Joshua’s declaration in Josh. 24:15, the preacher underscored the importance of intentional commitment to God.
KEY POINTS:
- Serving the Lord is a choice: Every believer must make a personal and family decision to serve God (Josh. 24:14-15)
- It requires will and determination: Serving God is not accidental; it demands an inner resolve.
- It is a responsibility: Giving children the best in education without Jesus Christ, is ultimately disastrous.
- Serving the Lord is a mandate: Obedience to God is not optional; it is His command.
What Does It Mean To Serve The Lord?
- Reverence God: Honour God regardless of your status or possessions.
- Obey and Submit: Recognize and yield to His Lordship
- Follow His commandments: As commanded in Deut. 30:15-20
HOW TO ENSURE YOUR FAMILY SERVES THE LORD:
- Intentional Discipleship: Establish a consistent family Altar for worship and study of the word of God.
- Lead by Example: Parents must model Godly living.
- Give them Jesus: Prioritize the gospel alongside material and educational provision.
- Follow Biblical Marriage Principles: Build homes grounded in the scriptures and Biblical principles.
- Make the Word of God Your Anchor: Josh. 1:8-9 urges constant meditation on God’s word.
CONCLUSION: As Christians, let us make the word of God our anchor at all times as our firm foundation.
After the sermon, the Holy Eucharist was conducted by the Bishop of Gwagwalada, The Rt. Rev. Moses Tabwaye. The Holy sacrament was administered with deep solemnity and reverence.
The intercessory prayers were taken by The Ven. Paul G. Dajur, the Archdeacon of Gwarinpa Archdeaconry.
Rt. Rev. Moses Tabwaye, the Bishop of Gwagwalada Diocese, celebrated the communion. The Primate took his time to specially recognise and thank all the guests present, Mama Nigeria, Clergy and their Wives, Evangelists and their Wives, Choir, etc. Thereafter, he later gave the benediction and the Diocesan Anthem was rendered, after which the Boys Brigade marched out the colours. The service ended at around 7:27 pm with the recessional hymn CONH 35.
BIBLE STUDY: The Bible study commenced immediately after the service, and it was conducted by The Rt. Rev. Johnson Onuoha, the Bishop of Arochukwu/Ohafia Diocese. It ended at 8:37 pm.
