The Chairman of the Supra-West Diocesan Board (Old Province One) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Friday Imaekhai, has urged church leaders to work together for the accomplishment of the Divine mission entrusted to them.
He was speaking at his opening address to the General Meeting of the Supra-West Diocesan Board (comprising all Anglican bishops, Diocesan treasurers and Heads of Institutions in the Southwest, Edo and Delta States), held in St Andrew’s Chapel, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo from January 27 to 28, 2020.
“As Church leaders, especially as delegates to this Supra Diocesan Board West meeting, we have to resolve to be united, even in the midst of divisions in so many churches of our day. We must re-enact our common commitment in the Body of Christ with the spirit of oneness. To this end, all hands should be on deck to strengthen the Body of Christ in Province One and all the component theological and educational institutions therein, so that, through our collective positive attitude to the sustenance of the Gospel Mandate given to us all, the work of Mission and Evangelism will be fully accomplished,” he said.
The common commitments of the Supra-West include the running of Ajayi Crowther University and the theological colleges in the zone, as well as pensions and gratuities.
Announcing the end of his tenure as the Archbishop of Bendel Province in April and his retirement as the Bishop of Esan in October, 2020, Imaekhai appreciated the Archbishops, Bishops and officials of the Board for all the support given to him, which enabled him come this far.
The Rector of the Ibru Centre Agbarha-Otor, the Venerable Dr. Princewill Ireoba, who was at the meeting as an Official of the Church of Nigeria, highlighted the need for full utilisation of the facilities at the Ibru International Ecumenical Centre Agbarha-otor.
He called on the different dioceses to choose the Ibru Centre for their different retreats for the clergy, wives, Knights and Church Teachers, among others. The Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, which was built by Mr. Alex Ibru at the explicit directive of God, provides the churches in Nigeria with a continuing education centre to meet the needs of the clergy and lay people for continuing education and spiritual growth.
The Centre is available to Churches of different denominations, including inter and non-denominational churches and ministries, retreats, workshops, trainings and courses, of which the Centre can also assist in organisation and facilitation.
The Archbishop of Lagos, the Most Rev. Dr. Michael Fape and the Bishop of Lagos, the Rt. Rev Dr Humphrey Olumakaiye marked their 61st and 51st birthdays, respectively at the meeting. The next meeting of the biannual Supra-West Board will be at the Lagos West Diocese in October, 2020.
