Thursday, 4th December 2025 remains a historic day in Ogoja, Cross Rivers State as the Primate of all Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba inaugurated the Missionary Diocese of Ogoja as the 172nd Diocese in the Church of Nigeria at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Bansara Close, Igoli, Ogoja.
The service which started by 9:00am featured an orderly procession by the choir, lay readers, priests, wardens, legal officers, Bishops and Archbishops, Registrar and General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, the Dean and the Primate.
The only lesson for this service was taken from the book of 1 Corinthians 3: 6-11.
Delivering his homily at the inauguration service, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kano, The Rt. Rev’d Zakka Nyam noted that people of the Diocese of Ogoja have a good fortune in receiving a leader who has been meticulously groomed by three successive Primates: Baba Akinola, Baba Okoh, and Baba Ndukuba.
“The man sent to you has been groomed by three Primates. Baba Ndukuba and the Church fathers have deemed it fit that he is of age and should be on his own and the CoN is sending him to you. Accept him, welcome him, work with him, show him love and things will move smoothly in this diocese.”
The new Bishop, the Rt. Rev’d Vincent Akunna was reminded of the profound responsibility and mandate attached to his office, referencing the Bible reading from John 15:16-17. “Jesus himself said, we didn’t choose him, he chose us and after choosing us he appointed us.”
The appointment, he was told, is “not for leisure, not to build our own empires,” but “to bear fruit and it’s not ordinary fruit, it’s fruit that will abide and stand the test of time.” This means his work must be perfect and enduring.
Crucially, the new bishop was reminded that he is not autonomous but remains a “bishop of the Church of Nigeria,” brought to the position under the guidance of the church’s central leadership. He was defined as a “missionary, a black missionary in a black community, in a black country,” tasked with sharing the light of the Gospel.
After the message, the representatives of the various archdeaconries being carved out as a diocese namely; Ogoja, Obudu, Yala East and Yala West Archdeaconries, presented their petition to create the diocese before the Primate who accepted the petition and called for the deeds (relinquishment and acceptance) to be read and executed.
The primate thereafter inaugurated the Missionary Diocese of Ogoja with a great applause from the congregation and lead the prayers for the new diocese and the bishop and the people of Ogoja. Thereafter, the relinquiching diocesan, the Rt. Rev’d Prof. Nonye Egbe processed out with his crozier as a ceremonial signing out of his authority over the said area.
The service was conducted by the Bishop of Afikpo Diocese, The Rt Rev’d Dr. Paul Udogu and attended by bishops and Archbishops of the Church, clergymen from various dioceses, Church of Nigeria officials among other dignitaries.
Ogoja Missionary Diocese was created from Calabar Diocese as part of the 15 newly created dioceses in the Church of Nigeria at its last Standing committee meeting held at Ekiti Diocese in September.
Immediately after the inaugural service, the enthronement service commenced.
