These critical concerns were highlighted in a communiqué released at the conclusion of the second session of the Fifth Synod of the Ijesa North Church of Nigeria.

The Synod, held from July 3rd to 6th, 2025, at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew in Ijebu-Jesa, saw delegates emphasizing the urgent need for the President to prioritize the welfare and interests of Nigerian citizens.

“The Synod reminds President Bola Tinubu that the spate of killings and other criminal acts in our country is alarming, that most businesses have collapsed, and many children have dropped out of school due to lack of finance.”

Signed by Bishop Isaac Oluyamo and Chancellor Chief Adeleke Agboola, the communiqué acknowledged President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts but stressed the severe impact of worsening poverty on businesses and families.

Beyond the call to the federal government, the Synod also encouraged all Nigerians to rekindle their faith and advised the youth against engaging in illicit means of wealth acquisition, promoting instead the value and dignity of honest labor.

In a separate commendation, the communiqué lauded Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for his leadership, ongoing developmental projects, and the consistent payment of workers’ salaries.

The Synod, themed “A Sound of Abundant Rain” from I Kings 18:41, brought together a diverse group of dignitaries, including traditional rulers, political figures, and religious leaders.

We were graciously hosted by Christ Church Plano (CCP), a cathedral church of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), whose Rector and Dean, Bishop Paul Donison, also serves as the General Secretary of Gafcon. The staff and many volunteers of CCP and surrounding churches provided generous hospitality and gladly served our needs.

The Conference began with an uplifting and inspiring service of Holy Communion, with a sermon by the Primate of the ACNA, Archbishop Steve Wood. Each day began with Morning Prayer led by bishops from Nigeria, Rwanda and Myanmar, with clear and stimulating Bible teaching from the early chapters of Joshua by the General Secretary that encouraged us in our personal walk with Christ. We ended our time together with another service of Holy Communion, where the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, encouraged us from the word.

The first session provided an insight into how the Gafcon movement began, as a panel of founding fathers were interviewed. The Conference was reminded as to why and how the first GAFCON was held in 2008, under the leadership of Archbishop Peter Akinola, producing the Jerusalem Statement and the Jerusalem Declaration, our foundational documents which continue to guide our movement.

Gafcon has sometimes been criticised, even vilified, as a sectarian and schismatic movement that has sought to undermine the unity of the Anglican Communion. But that is simply untrue. We cherish the worldwide fellowship that we enjoy through the Anglican Communion. We have not left it, but have sought to renew it, as it was in 1998, when the Bible was at the centre of our life and we submitted to its authority. We represent the Anglican Communion as we stand for the orthodox Anglican theology that is upheld by a vast majority of the Communion. It is those who have promoted unbiblical teachings who have torn the fabric of our Communion and shown themselves to be out of step with the apostolic faith.

Revisiting our history is essential to understand the ongoing challenges facing the Anglican Communion today, especially as many of our conference participants were bishops who have been consecrated within the past five years. Gafcon continues to stand firm against error, re-stating and celebrating the truth of the gospel, recognizing authentic Anglican provinces and dioceses, and renewing the Anglican Communion for mission to the nations.

Through a mixture of presentations and small group consultations, the participants considered four defining features of Gafcon.

Gathering Authentic Anglicans

‘Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching’ (Hebrews 10:25). Gafcon began as a gathering of bishops, clergy, and laity, united in their commitment to affirm true Anglican identity around a shared understanding of the gospel and a commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture, rather than through communion with the failing office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Gafcon is a confessional fellowship of Anglicans held together by the theology, liturgy and vision of the Reformation Formularies. We rejoice in our theological unity and cultural diversity as we all ‘work and pray together in the common mission of Christ’ (Jerusalem Statement 2008).

Guarding God’s Gospel

‘Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you’ (2 Timothy 1:14). The gospel of Christ is precious as the good news of salvation, but it can easily be obscured or corrupted. Sadly, the Canterbury-based ‘Instruments of Communion’ have failed to guard this gospel against such corruption, or to exercise needed discipline within the church. Gafcon has taken up this responsibility by reaffirming the gospel of Christ, rebuking false teaching that undermines it, and providing theological resources. Where Anglican leaders in some regions have departed from the truth of the gospel, Gafcon has rejected their spiritual authority, and recognised new expressions of faithful Anglicans, in order to guard and boldly proclaim the life-giving gospel of Christ throughout the world.

Growing Orthodox Leaders

‘What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful persons, who will be able to teach others also’ (2 Timothy 2:2). Our conference speakers reminded us of the urgent need not only to equip current bishops and leaders, but also to continually raise up new leaders who will be faithful to guard and proclaim the gospel. Gafcon has sought to do this through the work of its conferences, its Bishops Training Institute (BTI), and, where necessary, its willingness to consecrate duly elected bishops in new and challenging areas of ministry. We were grateful to hear suggestions from both speakers and participants as to how we can further strengthen theological education around the Communion for the equipping of all God’s people for the work of ministry.

Generating Missional Resources

‘Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully’ (2 Corinthians 9:6). The mission of the church is hindered by a ‘poverty mindset,’ which proceeds from a fear of scarcity and an ingratitude for God’s gifts. This often results in a lack of available resources for ministry. Our speakers shared their own stories of God’s miraculous provision, as well as practical wisdom for how to partner together across provinces and utilise what God has given us to promote sustainable development and generate resources in our churches. Recognising that we have been gifted in distinct ways by God, we commit to use the resources that we have received in service of one another and of the kingdom of God.

We give thanks to God for the work of Gafcon and for our time together. We have prayed together, worshipped together, studied Scripture together, and been encouraged and edified by the faith that unites us across our differing languages and cultures.

Seventeen years ago, more than 1100 Anglicans from around the world came together in Jerusalem for the first GAFCON Assembly. That meeting could have been a one-time occurrence, but it was not. The Gafcon movement continues to grow, continues to gather, and continues to stand firm for the faith once delivered to the saints. We also continue to grieve over how some leaders in the Anglican Communion have led the flock of Christ astray, diluted the authority of Scripture and distorted the gospel, endangering many souls. We once again call them to repentance.

Our fellowship has not diminished but expanded. Our resolve to proclaim the gospel has not been weakened but strengthened. Our commitment to reform and renew the Anglican Communion has not wavered or faltered.

As we look forward to the future, we were inspired by the vision presented to us by our Gafcon Primates Council Chairman in his final address. He reminded us of who we are—a gospel people, a rooted people, an orthodox people, and a Bible people. He encouraged us to recommit ourselves to prayer, to self-sustainability within our churches, and to some of Gafcon’s key areas of ministry, including BTI, women’s ministry, and our conferences. He also outlined some new initiatives for Gafcon, including the development of a theological writing group and a theological commission, and the intentional deepening of relationships through inter-provincial visits.

G25 inaugurates a series of annual mini-conferences that will be taking place throughout the Gafcon world. Next year, G26 will be meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, and will have a special focus on the more senior leaders of our global movement.

As we conclude our time together, we rejoice in hope because we know that, despite all the threats and obstacles we may face as a global church, the one who has called us is faithful. He has begun a good work in us, and he will carry it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

To God be the glory!

Plano, Texas
Friday 14th March, 2025. 

He stated this in his homily at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Abuja on Wednesday 5th of March 2025 at the Penitential service of Holy communion and imposition of ashes making the beginning of the 40days fasting known as Lent in the Church year calendar.

Archbishop Ndukuba noted that there is a false mindset that we have grown up with that the period of fast is a period of trials but we all know that the lives of humans is filled with trails and non that comes to us is uncommon and the Lord that we put our faith in will not allow us to be tried beyond what we can handle.

“Lent season is not a time of trial but a time for consecration, a time we prepare our heart to be with God and holy before him”.

The Primate who took his message from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 opined that the Lent is a period of sacrifice, servanthood and eternal hope of glory. He noted that the Lent season starts with the Ash Wednesday; the imposition of the Ash on the faithful which is practice taken from the Old Testament as a sign of penitence, repentance and seeking of forgiveness from God.

For 40days the church has continued to celebrate the 40days of fasting, prayer and reading from God and the reason it’s 40 days was symbolic to what Jesus did. 40days and nights can bring about transformation and now the holy spirit is also here to help us. And as we behold God, this season we are changed from glory to glory.

Archbishop Henry added that right from the fall of man, sin leads to perishing but God gave Himself as ransom for humans not for us to live in guilt but for us to give our lives back to God. He noted that Jesus not only died but rose and Alive forever more and we enjoy forgiveness and redemption forever more. This is the salvation that the church celebrates this season in preparation for the feast at Easter.

The holy celebration of Easter is a time we prepare to celebrate the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Primate Ndukuba tasks leaders on sacrificial service

He said God expected everyone irrespective of position or status to make sacrifices exemplifying Christ who surrendered himself as a sacrificial lamp for the attornment of sins.

“This is where we called on everyone to serve dutifully and sacrificially in every place God has called us, weather in the office, in the farm, in the market, in businesses, in our churches or in our schools, let us do all to serve God and humanity, I prayed that all of us will look beyond the gains of this words to see the Glory of Heavens and prays towards having peace with God and having peace with one another.’

He therefore urged leaders at all levels to make positive sacrifices for the good of the nation without personal interest.

He said as living creatures, it is expected of Nigerians to serve God and humanity, therefore live an exemplary lives worthy of emulations.

According to him, “we learned to sacrifice, as Jesus himself came, to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many, we should learn from Jesus as Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, is a sacrifice, we will love to see our leaders sacrifice for the good of this nation.”

Primate Ndukuba therefore called on Nigerians to use the season to seek the face of God praying together, regardless of religious affiliations, foster unity and promote tolerance among different faiths in the country.

Korede Akintunde

CoN Communication Officer

6th March, 2025

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo immediately after his interactive meeting with teachers to mark 2023 World Teachers Day accordingly gave the sum of N918,000,000 to Roman Catholic Mission’s public schools with 459 schools throughout the state.

He equally handed over the sum of N550,000,000 to the Anglican Mission Public Schools with 275 schools in the state.

Another N16,000,000 and N40,000,000 were handed over to Salvation Army Mission Public Schools with 8 schools in the state and Pentecostal Mission Public schools with 20 schools in the state respectively.

Recall that since the inception of his administration, Governor Soludo has continued to preach ecumenism/oneness of body of Christ calling on church leaders to always preach unity, peace and love without which it will be difficult to achieve progress and development in the state.

Soludo has continued to walk his talk in bid to end the era of school without teachers. Previously during the World Teacher’s Day at the teacher’s house Awka, he promised everything must be done to improve the quality of education in the state which shall include emergency on reconstruction of public school across the state.

His gesture to the Mission’s Public Schools is aimed at ensuring that quality of education, employment of qualified teachers and improvement of teacher’s welfare will be achieved both at government public school and as well mission’s public schools in the state.

The Christians were released about two weeks ago after VOM called on Christians to pray for the release of two Eritrean church leaders and provided information to help Christians contact the Eritrean Embassy on behalf of imprisoned Christians, the ministry said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

After the ministry launched the campaign on July 22, more than 10,000 people responded, and just six days later, VOM received word from its ministry partners in Eritrea about the release of the 13 believers.

Nettleton, who met with and interviewed Christians in Eritrea in 2004, expressed gratitude for the 10,000 people who responded to the ministry’s email and encouraged believers to continue praying.

The imprisoned pastors who were the focus of the letter writing campaign, Pastor Haile Nayzgi and Kiflu Gebremeskel, have also not been released, VOM clarified.

Eritrea is classified as a “restricted nation” due to the government’s ongoing persecution of Christians, according to the ministry’s 2023 Global Prayer Guide.

All churches outside the Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran denominations were ordered to close by the government in 2002.

Last October, Bishop Fikremariam Hagos, the first bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Segheneity, Fr. Abraham Habtom Gebremariam from the Capuchin Society in Teseney town, and Fr. Mihretab Stefanos of St. Michael’s Church in Segheneity were arrested, possibly because the Catholic leaders had called for justice and reconciliation in Eritrea.

Eritrea’s persecuted Christians often disappear without a trace, and prison conditions are among the harshest in the world. Inmates are kept in shipping containers, and believers are often tortured.

Eritrea’s President Isaias Afewerki, a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church in Asmara, belongs to one of the only three Christian denominations allowed to function in the country. Afewerki, 75, the leader of the ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice Party, has a reputation for being a ruthless autocrat.

His policy of restrictions is driven more by fear that religion will mobilize people as a political force than religion itself.

The global watchdog organization Open Doors USA previously reported that there are possibly more than 1,000 Christians imprisoned in Eritrea, with none formally charged.

The Archbishop metropolitan and primate of All Nigeria, his Grace, the Most Revd. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, has said that the diocese of Abuja may in 2024 commence the enrollment of boys into the Anglican boy’s fellowship and the induction of men into the men’s fellowship.

According to him, the ministry of the Anglican Church in Nigerian is rooted in the word of God, centered on Christ, and also focuses on the family. Hence, the reason why the church wants to pay attention to all the groups within it; the young and old, men and women, boys and girls, so as to be able to cater to all members of the family in the church of God.

The primate made this known during an interview session with ACNNTV, in Abuja, as he said that the church will continue to encourage everyone to be rooted, AS God in his move will raise people who will stand for the values of the scriptures and honor God even in this challenging times.

“We are hoping that by next year, we will be enrolling the boys into the Anglican boy’s fellowship, and the induction of men into the men’s fellowship. Just as we have always said that the ministry of the Anglican Church in Nigeria is Bible-based, rooted in the word of God, centered on Christ, and also family focus.

We want to pay attention to all the groups within the church; the young and old, men and women, boys and girls, so as to be able to cater for all members of the family in the church of God.

So, we will continue to encourage everyone to be rooted , as God in his move will always raise people, and we are trusting God that the Lord will continue to raise men and women, boys and girls, families, especially in this challenging times that will stand for the word of God, and will also stand for the values of the scriptures and see that we honor God in our lives”.

It was reported in September 2022 that the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, announced at plenary that Kadiri had been suspended “in line with the provisions of Sections 14 and 15 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.”

Oluomo said he received a resolution by an appropriate number of house members that Kadiri and one other breached the provision of the Legislative Houses (Power and Privileges) Act, 2017 and “they stand suspended.”

Kadiri has since then approached the court, calling for the reversal of his suspension by the Assembly.

Ruling on Friday, Justice O. A. Onafowokan of High Court 3, Abeokuta judicial division, held that Kadiri’s suspension was an abuse of power and abuse of office by the Speaker, the Assembly and the Clerk.

Onafowokan also directed that all emoluments due to to the Ijebu North II State Constituency lawmaker be paid immediately by the Assembly.

In the petition signed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign council Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, dated 30th March 2023, Tinubu said: “In line with Section 14.0.1 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code 6th edition stating the duty of the commission to accept complaints from aggrieved persons, bodies or members of the public and investigate as well as apply sanctions where necessary, the APC PCC hereby petitions the commission on breaches by CHANNELS TV on its programme ‘Politics Today’ last week.”

Tinubu accused Baba Ahmed of making several comments attacking the integrity of the 25th February 2023 Presidential elections. In the interview, he faulted the emergence of the former Lagos governor as the President-elect and categorically requested the Chief Justice of Nigeria and President Muhamadu Buhari not to swear him in.

In his petition, Tinubu noted that the host of the show should have cautioned the Datti for making such unguarded comments and that for failing to do so, the station should be sanctioned.

According to the petition,” The guest on the programme in question, Datti Baba-Ahmed, said President Muhammadu Buhari should not swear in the President-elect because he did not score 25% of the vote in the FCT, being one of the prerequisites for being declared the winner. This is a subversive comment since the matter is among the issues submitted in their petition before the tribunal for adjudication. Therefore, until the court rules otherwise, the status quo is the INEC position as declared in the final results.

The event which was held at St. Boniface Church, Quinton, Birmingham, United Kingdom, with the theme: “Do the Work of An Evangelist,” had about 50 participants drawn from different cities in the United Kingdom while others joined via zoom.

The summit was attended by the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba; the Dean, Church of Nigeria, His Grace, the Most Rev. Ali Buba Lamido; the Bishop of Kaduna, the Rt. Rev. Timothy Yahaya and Bishop-elect of Otukpo Diocese, the Ven. Ben Enwuchola, while the UK/Europe-based clergy was led by the Nigerian Chaplain, Ven. Joe Ajefobi and Ven. Gideon Ikechukwu from the Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC).

In his keynote address, the Primate charged participants to be worthy ambassadors of Christ and the Church and also preach the gospel with integrity in the United Kingdom.

The speaker, Rev Leo Bala from Leeds admonished participants to see the United Kingdom as the mission field the Lord has called them to propagate the gospel of Christ to everybody, regardless of color and race. He also enjoined them to work together in unity of purpose for an effective mission.

Also, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Ali Buba Lamido admonished the participants not to forget their roots and should continue to keep the banner of Christ flying.

The prayer sessions were led by participants from London and Manchester for Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the Church, and the Church of Nigeria Mission in the UK.

The following day Sunday, the Primate, Dean, and Bishop-elect worshipped with the Nigerian congregations in Birmingham and Gloucester area, at a communion service in Birmingham, which was presided over by Primate Ndukuba and the Dean.

In his sermon, Ndukuba encouraged the attendees to “launch out into the deep and put their trust and confidence in Christ as they continue with the mission work in their various cities.”