The Diocese of Abuja (Anglican Communion) was agog for joy as the Bishop of Abuja, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Revd. Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, made two deacons and ordained one priest into the priesthood at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja.
The service, rich in Anglican liturgy, sacred vows, and joyous worship, was presided over by The Most Rev’d Henry C. Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan, and Primate of All Nigeria, and Bishop of the Diocese of Abuja.
The Revd. Sunday Matthew Adewale and The Revd. Emmanuel Joseph were made deacons while The Revd. Joshua Titus was ordained a priest.
Sunday, August 10, 2025 marked a historic and spiritually charged occasion in the life of the Diocese of Abuja as the Cathedral Church of The Advent, Life-Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja, played host to a combined service of the Trinity Diaconate and Priesthood Ordination, the Inauguration of the Greater Chapter, the Institution, Induction and Installation of the Sub-Dean, and the Installation of Statutory Canons.
History was made as the Primate instituted, inducted and installed The Venerable Ephraim Akanya as the Sub-Dean of the foremost cathedral in the Church of Nigeria, The Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja. The Sub-Dean was installed in the stall of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, the great CMS evangelical missionary and first black bishop ever known.
In a service attended by The Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Adekola, Diocesan of Igbomina and one-time Sub-Dean of the Cathedral of the Advent, Abuja; a former Bishop of Okenne Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Prof. Emmanuel Ajulo, charged the new deacons and priests to be steadfast, faithful and walk worthy of their calling and ministry. The ordination service was blessed with the ministry of The Rt. Revd. Praises Omole-Ekun, an erstwhile Dean of St. Francis of Assisi College of Theology, Wusasa.
The gift of ordained ministry in the Church of God was further celebrated with the installation of six canons of the Cathedral. The Ven. Dr. Olayemi Fatusi was installed as Canon Residentiary; the Ven. Princewill Ireoba was installed as Canon Theologian while Ven. Dr. Olusegun Akinola was installed as Canon Ministerial. Others were Ven. Oliver Ofoegbu, Canon Missioner; Ven. Nelson Akinwande, Canon Liturgist; and Revd. Canon Barr. Chinomnso Anozie who was installed as Canon Musician.
The canons are defenders of the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Historically, they were the priests who contended with erroneous teachers that were found in the Church. Hence, canons must be found to be worthy in learning and character. The Primate noted that the canons are to preach in the Cathedral at least once in a year as they carry out ministries within the Diocese in line with their offices.
Delivering the sermon, The Rt. Rev’d Prof. Emmanuel Ajulo, former Bishop of Okene, anchored his message on Acts 1:15-25 and Mark 14:17-26.
He drew a striking parallel between the privilege of divine calling and the tragic story of Judas Iscariot.
“Judas was called to honour just like the other disciples,” Bishop Ajulo said, “but he turned that honour into betrayal. Poverty is not the absence of money; it is the absence of Christ.”
He cautioned against abusing divine positions, citing Judas’ misuse of influence and connections for personal gain. His betrayal for thirty pieces of silver, the preacher noted, was not an accident but a deliberate choice, revealing the danger of a disloyal heart.
Contrasting Judas with Peter—who repented after his failure—Bishop Ajulo reminded the ordinands that “there is always a reward for every service: some unto honour and others unto dishonour.”
He also issued a sober warning against ingratitude and restlessness in ministry.
“Ungrateful hearts can never thank God. Some see positions as their own achievement, not as God’s gift. Others chase greener pastures without appreciating where God has placed them.”
Using King David’s humility as an example, he charged the newly ordained and installed leaders to use their offices solely to glorify God. He concluded with a prayer that none would finish their spiritual race like Judas but instead remain faithful to the end.
Primate Ndukuba had earlier named some of the stalls in the Cathedral after prominent ministers who had played significant role in the growth of the Diocese of Abuja and the Church of Nigeria as a province. The stalls are named after Archbishop Timothy Olufosoye, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye, Archbishop Peter Jasper Akinola, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Bishop Titus Ogbonyomi and Bishop Betrand Nyam.
Also, the Greater Chapter of the Cathedral was instituted as its members were inaugurated in the divine historical service.
The service was graced with the presence of Mama Nigeria, Mrs Angela Ndukuba, who led the clergy wives in the service, the Chancellor and Registrar of the Church of Nigeria and Diocese of Abuja, Hon. Odein Ajumogbobia SAN and Mrs Kehinde Ajoni respectively among other clergy, dignitaries, family members, and parishioners, all joining in hymns of praise and heartfelt prayers.
Written by Postulant Ayodele Orekoya (Abuja) and S.I.R. Okoduwa (Zaria),
Edited by Korede Akintunde, CoN Communicator.
August 2025.
