The Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba, visited Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo penultimate Tuesday as part of his official assignment and spiritual exercise.
He was received by the Bishop of Oyo Diocese and member of the Governing Council, Rt. Rev. Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, who led him on a courtesy visit to the University Management. The Vice- Chancellor, Professor Timothy A. Adebayo supported by the Registrar, Dr. J.E.T. Babatola, the Bursar, Mr. John Olusanwo FCA, Chaplain and clergy of St. Andrew’s Chapel received him with joy and excitement. After the courtesy visit on the University Management, the Primate proceeded to the Crowther Hall, the venue of the clergy and wives retreat of the 2021 Convention of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC) .
During the Primate’s address to them, he charged them to be fired up in their desire to win souls, saying the harvest for souls is still plenty and thus required more labourers. Narrowing the message to the theme of the convention which is “ Empowered to Manifest”, the Primate of All Nigeria said the soul of the church is evangelism and prayed that, after this year’s convention, those in attendance would be empowered, like the Apostles of the New Testament Church, to go out for evangelism. The Primate told delegates that EFAC started as a body of.priests and their wives but it has now expanded such that the laity has become dominant
At the Crowther Hall, venue of the event, the vice- Chancellor also welcomed the participants to the University, and told them that the University has commenced admission and encouraged them to send their children to the University where they would be raised as godly intellectuals. He said the University recently recalled some students earlier rusticated for misconduct to give them another chance after counselling them so that the University can play its primary role as a place of excellence surrounded by love and humanity .
In his address the National President of EFAC, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Ezeofor, thanked the University for hosting the event, and prayed that God would help the University to soar to higher heights.
The Primate also gave update on developments in the Church of Nigeria. He said the Communion is building the Anglican University of Technology in Kwaita, Abuja, as the National church University. He announced that the church will launch a campaign against drug abuse through the Anglican Compassion and Development Initiative (ADADI), a body that has been registered by the Church of Nigeria. He said the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS) is being re-positioned to fully function as the Mission Arm of the Church of Nigeria. It will be built into both a mission agency and Institution.
He concluded that Church of Nigeria intends to stir up the Universal church into world mission and lead in preparing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
After his address the congregation prayed for him that God would enable him to carry out the job entrusted to him as the leader of the Church of Nigeria . Many Bishops and priests were in attendance. The Primate later left Ajayi Crowther University for other national assignments.
