The Bishop on the Niger, The Most Rev. Dr Owen Nwokolo, last Sunday, had the 2nd phase of the Trinity Ordination. Nwokolo, who on 18th July, 2021 ordained 18 deacons at the Basilica of St Andrew Onitsha, further ordained 9 priests and collated 3 Canons and 3 Archdeacons in his 2nd 2021 Trinity Ordination held at the All Saints Cathedral Onitsha on 1st August 2021.
The Ven. Mike Okoh, The Ven. Dr Eric Anozie and Ven. Ikechukwu Egbonu were collated Archdeacons, while The Rev. Canons Cornelius Eze, Godwin Chiezie and Dr Cajetan Anuforo were collated Honorary Canons. Those ordained priests were The Reverends Chibueze Egbogu, Engr Izuchukwu Madu, Samuel Nneji, Chukwuemeka Nwafe, Somtochukwu Nwafor, Charles Nwankwo, Frank Nweke, Mbanefo Okongwu and Abel Chukwuanonye Okoye.
The new priests, Canons and Archdeacons, prior to their ordinations and collations, all took the Oaths of Belief, Submission to Synod of the Diocese on the Niger, Canonical Obedience to the Bishop on the Niger, Submission to Church Discipline and Allegiance to God. The new Canon, in addition, also took the Oath against Simony.
Nwokolo was assisted by The Rt Rev. Foreman Nedison, the Bishop of Jalingo, who conducted the Retreat for the ordinands and preached the sermon at the service. The Rt Rev’ds Oluseyi Oyelade, the Bishop of Ife East and Ndubisi Obi, the Bishop of Nnewi were also at the service.
Bishop Nedison, who used the text, I Cor. 4:1-2, to preach on the topic: “Faithfulness in Service” urged the ministers to be faithful in their devotion to God and to their wives and, as well, to their calling and Kingdom assignment. He said faithfulness is seen in giving one’s best both when he is not in charge and when he is given the least assignment, as faithfulness is measured by how a person works with what is small, enhancing and increasing it. he said that faithfulness is also evident in an undivided loyalty towards God and constituted authority as well as in consistency of good character. “No matter what the Devil has done on your life, if he has not touched your character, he has not touched your destiny. Whatever you lose for upholding your integrity will be restored one day,” the Bishop said.
Nedison stressed that faithfulness is God’s benchmark for evaluating every service. He said: “Every service we render in this kingdom is noted and evaluated by God and the yardstick used for the evaluation is faithfulness. God is not coming to reward the successful, but the faithful. There are so many men on collar. Some are busy looking for God, but God is looking for the faithful. Many have skills, academic qualifications, speak in tongues and cast out demons, but the faithful are scarce. They are also scarce in different spheres of life – politicians, workers, drivers, etc. But when they are found, they are taken to the rare positions of life. There are many competent people who will never rise because they are not faithful.”
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, His Lordship, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, among others, graced the well-attended service that had the magnificent All Saints Cathedral Onitsha filled to the brim (and many outside). The service was very colourful, with the Knights and their Ladies, the Gideon On the Niger (GON) of the diocese, the Boys and Girls Brigade, the clergy wives and others in their regalia and special uniforms.
By Princewill Ireoba
