Wednesday, 17th of December 2025 remains a historic day in Taraba State as the Primate of all Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba inaugurated the Missionary Diocese of Takum as the 176th Diocese in the Church of Nigeria at the Cathedral Church of the Pentecost, Takum.
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 Matthew 16: 13-20.
The inaugural sermon was delivered by The Rt. Rev’d Duke Akamisoko, the Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, who spoke on the theme: “The Power of the Gospel,” drawing from Romans 1:16.
He emphasized that the primary purpose for the creation of this new diocese is to bring the transformative message of Christ to the people of Takum and its surrounding villages. “The reason why this new Takum Missionary Diocese was created is to bring the gospel to the people,” he stated, highlighting the inherent power of Christ to save and renew communities.
Bishop Duke identified three core pillars of the Gospel’s power that will define the mission in Takum. He asserted that no other instrument on earth can grant salvation from sin and the operations of the devil except the name of Jesus.
Quoting Romans 10, the Bishop noted that people cannot believe in whom they have not heard. He praised the Primate for sending The Rt. Rev’d Rika Garba Ibrahim as a “dynamic bishop, full of energy and strength” to lead this charge.
He emphasized that the Gospel is for everyone “to the Jew first and the Greek” and declared that the Takum Diocese would preach to all tribes and people groups without hindrance.
Recounting the journey from Jalingo to Takum, Bishop Akamisoko described passing through numerous villages that will now fall under the jurisdiction of the new diocese. He noted that many inhabitants in these remote areas would be hearing the Gospel with newfound intensity.
“Some of these villagers are going to hear the gospel for the first time, second time, third time, until they believe,” he said. He challenged the new Bishop and his team of clergy to place evangelism at the “front burner” as their number one project.
The Bishop called upon the sons and daughters of Takum to embrace the “crusade mantle” and support the new leadership through prayer and cooperation. He expressed confidence that wherever the Gospel is accepted, “there is change, there is renewal.”
Shortly after the message, the representatives of the various archdeaconries being carved out as a diocese namely; Donga, Takum, Baissa, Bali, Serti, and Gembu Archdeaconries, presented their petition to create the missionary 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 Takum with a great applause and fun-fair from the congregation and lead prayers for the new diocese and the bishop and the people of Takum. Thereafter, the relinquishing diocesan, the Rt. Rev’d Foreman Nedison and his wife processed out with his crozier as a ceremonial signing out of his authority over the said geographical area.
The service was conducted by the Bishop of Pankshi Diocese, The Rt Rev’d Olumuyiwa Ajayi and attended by Archbishops, all bishops in the Jos Province, clergymen from various dioceses, Church of Nigeria officials among other dignitaries.
Takum Missionary Diocese was created from Jalingo 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.
Shortly after the inauguration which was marked by the processing out of the Primate and his entourage, the enthronement service commenced.
