The investiture which is the first of its kind in CONNAM was broadcasted live by ACNN TV, drawing clergy, worshippers, family members, friends and guests from far and near for a service marked by reverence, liturgical order, and a strong sense of spiritual purpose for 53 noble men and women in God’s vineyard.

The investiture which was presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba ably represented by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Blessing Enyindah underscored the Anglican understanding of knighthood as a sacred responsibility rather than a ceremonial distinction.

In his message titled “What is in your Hand” to the congregation, Archbishop Enyindah encouraged those admitted into the order to uphold the Christian faith, support the mission of the Church, and demonstrate integrity, humility, and service in both ecclesiastical and public life.

He noted that the title, the swrod and the regalia are not to be used to brag or intimidate people but are tools to preach the gospel, to perform the Kingdom tasks. He added that according to Roman 10:13-15 the tasks of preaching the gospel of peace, mission and evangelism are critical part of the work of a knight.

Dr. Enyindah urged those honored are expected to serve as examples of integrity, sacrificial leadership, and active Christian witness in their communities by going, supporting, praying and be part of defending the Church.

CONNAM serves as the Church of Nigeria’s missionary body in North America, providing spiritual oversight and ministry support to Anglican congregations in the United States and Canada. Its work is focused on evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and the preservation of Anglican liturgical heritage among worshippers in the diaspora.

The investiture ceremony therefore stood not only as a recognition of individuals admitted into the order of knighthood, but also as a broader reaffirmation of CONNAM’s vision for mission and ministry in North America. In a religious environment where titles can easily be reduced to symbols of prestige, the service presented knighthood as a call to deeper sacrifice, loyalty to Christ, and devoted service to the Church.

The service also featured the recognition of the CONNAM’s Knight chaplain, The Venerable David Nwanekpe for his dedication, exceptional teaching and planning of the 2026 investiture with an award from the new knights.

In an era where institutions increasingly seek role models of honor and responsibility, the celebration of knighthood sends a powerful message about service anchored in faith.

Present at the service are the Rt. Rev. Dr. Augustine Unuigbe who is the CONNAM coordinating Bishop, the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Martyn Anagbogu, the Rt. Rev. Celestine Ironna, Olumuyiwa Shobo Esq who is the CONNAM Chancellor, Sir Okey Dike, the Deputy Chancellor, Henry C. Nwabugwu Esq., the CONNAM Registrar, The Venerable Chukwuma Ubadinobi, the Host Rector, among others.

Far from being merely ceremonial, the investiture represents a public recognition of steadfast dedication to the Church and society. The service also served as a reminder of the Church’s emphasis on raising men and women who will not only uphold spiritual values, but also contribute meaningfully to social development, peace, mission and charitable outreach.

The Primate of Church of Rwanda (Anglican Communion), the Chairman of GAFCON, and the Bishop of Gasabo, His Grace, The Most Revd Dr. Laurent Mbanda led his team of Bishops and their wives to tour the television station of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, as part of their one-week Retreat in Nigeria.

They were led to the studio by the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Blessing Enyindah, who handed the team to the General Manager of the station, Engr. Korede Akintunde, who took them through the entire Satellite Television Station studios and technical departments.

The team who were excited to see what God is doing through the TV station, praised God for the great work the Lord is doing through this mission minded and community engaging television station.

Archbishop Mbanda noted the visit has really shifted a lot of their mind towards setting up same in Rwanda to reach the unreached through the digital broadcasting of the gospel in this tech age. He commended the Management and staff of the station for their level of commitment and dedication to God’s work. He noted that their visit to Nigeria is a great one and are well overwhelmed with the great things that God is doing with the Church of Nigeria.

The General Manager of ACNNTV and the Communication officer of the Church of Nigeria, Korede Akintunde, share with the team the countries where ACNNTV can be viewed which includes Rwanda and other over 60 countries (See Here: Countries where you can watch ACNNTV on Satellite). He showed them various technologies the station is engaged in to reach the World with the gospel and the undiluted word of God.

The Dean of the Church of Nigeria later presented set of Setup Boxes and dishes to all the bishops which was donated by one of the Board members of ACNNTV, Dr. Peter S. Nmadu on behalf of the Board of Management.

The Primate of Rwanda and his wife Mrs Chantal MBANDA with his Bishops have been in Nigeria for some days and they visited some choice Christian Nigerian historical places such as Abeokuta, Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja and Badagry among other places across the country as part of their Retreat which was hosted by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion from July 22nd to 31^st, 2024.

The other Bishops and their wives on this retreat are: Bishop AHIMANA MUREKEZI Augustin, Mrs MAKORIKO Claudine RUJARI, Bishop RUSENGO Nathan Amooti, Mrs MURUNGI Esther, Bishop NTAZINDA Emmanuel, Mrs BASINGIRE Joyce, Bishop HABIMFURA Vincent, Mrs MUREKEYIMANA Concessa, Mrs KALIMBA Jered, Bishop Christophe Nshimyimana, Mrs Cyiza Goretti, Bishop KAREMERA Francis, Mrs Evermeld Kirebwa, Bishop GAHIMA Manasseh, ⁠Mrs Dusenge Rose, ⁠Bishop Methode J.P RUKUNDO, ⁠Mrs Mukabatesi Jeanne d’Arc. Also among them is the General Secretary of the Province, Rev’d Saano Stephen.

He made this remarks at the Thanksgiving Service held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State to mark the end of the administration of the former Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and welcome the new State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu on Sunday 28th May, 2023.

In his sermon titled, “Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Us,” taken from Exodus 15:1-2, Enyindah eulogised the former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, describing him as an astute politician, outspoken leader, a forthright and candid personality, and a transformational leader.

Thanking God for the gift of a new day, the privilege to be in His presence, he reminded the congregation that the sunday is referred to as Pentecost Sunday — a day in the liturgical calendar that the church marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower the children of God for a better service to God and humanity.

He said even though Peter denied Jesus three times, he was able to address the Jews after he received the Holy Spirit and 3000 people accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“It is a good coincidence that this service is holding today. As leaders, political, religious and secular, need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead well,” he said.

“We have come to count our blessings as a state, recognise the grace of God that was sufficient for the outgoing administration of Governor Wike, and ask God for more of this grace for the leadership of Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu.

“Our text today was a thanksgiving song composed by Moses after the Lord divided the Red Sea and brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses took cognisance of the hand and power of God that delivered them from the dangers of the Red Sea and the Egyptian bondage. He knew it was not — military prowess. Of course, he had none that delivered them from Egyptian bondage. He recognised that it was not the multitude of the soldiers; for they were slaves and had no soldiers with weapons,” he said.

Advising the incumbent governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Archbishop Enyindah quoted the words of the former President of America, Abraham Lincoln, as saying: “With malice towards none, with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.”

He urged the governor and his deputy to carry everybody along. He said: “You are governor of Rivers State and not of a section of Rivers State. You must not show hatred to anyone whether they are in the opposition or not. I heard you say, ‘the doors and windows are open.’ I advised that you allow them to come through the door only not the window because only criminals come through the window.”

The Archbishop called on the new governor and his team to depend on God for wisdom like King Solomon did and succeeded.

“You have to be firm in what is right. Do not be swayed by the antics and selfish interests of power brokers. Stand up for what is right. Stand up for what would be in the interest of Rivers people. You need to know that in governance if you have not stepped on toes, it probably means you are standing still. When you do these things, you would succeed even more than your predecessor and this would make all of us who gathered here today happy. We wish you well,” the cleric said.

Furthermore, the Archbishop who noted that the efforts of the former governor and his team would have been futile without the help of God, said: “This is why the governor and Rivers people are thanking God today. Like Apostle Paul, they are saying, ‘but by the grace of God I am what I am: and the grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me,” (I Cor. 15:10).

Also like the Psalmist, the governor and the people of Rivers State are saying: “There is no King saved by the size of his army; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength,” (Psalm 33:16). ’” There is no gainsaying the fact that except the Lord built this state, the builders would have laboured in vain and except the Lord watched over us, we would have been consumed by the fire of the enemy. So, we thank God for His goodness on this administration.

And we join in their celebration because as a people, we are the beneficiaries of this good governance. Like Julius Caesar said, “you have come, you have seen and you have conquered.” And like Apostle Paul said to Timothy, “you have fought a good fight, you have ran the race, what awaits you now is God’s reward. You did the best you can with the resources and the grace of God available to you. We say a big congratulations.”

He called on the govenors to forgive their offenders for their own good, adding that it is not easy to serve the public.

Archbishop concluded by asking that the church continue to pray for the former governor and his team for God’s grace to be upon them and for good health and long life to enjoy the fruit of their labour as he congratulate the new administration and pray for a successful tenure in office.

Raed Full Sermon Below;

SERMON PREACHED BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCE OF NIGER DELTA AND BISHOP, DIOCESE OF IKWERRE, THE MOST REV. DR. BLESSING CHINYERE ENYINDAH, DSSRS, JP, AP ON THE OCCASION OF THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE MARKING THE END OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF BARR. NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, CON, GSSRS, POS (AFRICA), LIFE BENCHER GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE AND THE INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNOR–ELECT, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA AND HIS DEPUTY, PROF. (MRS.) NGOZI ODU AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, DIOBU, PORT HARCOURT ON SUNDAY, 28TH MAY, 2023.

Preamble

Let us pray

Take a song “We are grateful Oh Lord……”

“Ndam emelem wee…….”

Good morning, everyone. We thank God for the gift of a new day to all of us and the privilege and the opportunity to be in His presence this Sunday morning.Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day in the liturgical calender when the church marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower the Children of God for a better service to God and humanity. Peter who denied Jesus three times was able to address the Jews after the Holy Spirit came upon him and three thousand people believed the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a good coincidence that this service is holding today. A leaders both political, religious and secular need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead well.

I am particularly grateful to Him for this singular honour I have to share some thoughts with the congregation of Rivers people in this special thanksgiving service.

Thanks to the Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo for the use of his Cathedral and his pulpit. My brother Bishops in the chancel we welcome you.

Greetings to the Executive Governor of our State, His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (Africa), Life Bencher and his wife. The Deputy Governor and Senator-elect, Dr. (Mrs,) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo. The Governor-elect Sir Siminalaye Fubara, DSSRS and the Deputy Governor-elect, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu, DSSRS, special greetings to you.

Welcome to you all in this special service.

TOPIC: THUS FAR THE LORD HAS HELPED US

TEXT: EXODUS 15:1-2

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spoke saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and song, He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

INTRODUCTION: We are all gathered here today to celebrate the goodness of the Lord on our State, Rivers and on the out–going Governor, His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Governor Wike as we all know has governed our State successfully for eight years. Without mincing words, Governor Wike is an astute politician, an outspoken leader, a forthright and candid personality and a transformational leader. His administration was impactful. Under his administration, we have recorded monumental achievements that could convince even the pundits and critics. He was named Mr. Project when he had not done a quarter of what we have today in Rivers State. With what we have on ground now, he ought to have another nomenclature more than Mr. Project. I listened to a joke recently where someone said, “If there is hold up in your backyard, call Governor Wike to come and construct a flyover there.” Today I can drive into my family compound because of his internal road project in my village, Omerelu. We are happy with these beautiful descriptions and nomenclatures given to our dear Governor. We would have been sad if it was otherwise. To God be the glory. This is why we are here. We have come:

i. To count our blessings as a State

ii. To recognize the grace of God that was sufficient for this out-going administration of Governor Wike.

iii. To ask God for more of this grace and leadership in the in-coming administration of Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu.

Our text today was a thanksgiving song composed by Moses after the Lord divided the Red sea and brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Moses took cognizance of the hand and power of God that delivered them from the dangers of the Red sea and the Egyptian bondage. He knew it was not – military prowess, of course, he had none that delivered them from Egyptian bondage. He recognized that it was not the multitude of army; for they were slaves and had no soldiers with weapons.

No doubt, the Governor and his team labored, strategized, planned and executed a number of projects and programmes in order to deliver on their campaign promises. But all these would have been futile without the help of God. This is why the Governor and Rivers people are thanking God today. Like Apostle Paul they are saying “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and the grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more than they all: yet not I but the grace of God which was with me” (I Cor. 15:10). Also like the Psalmist, the Governor and the people of Rivers State are saying, “There is no king saved by the size of his army; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength” (Psalm 33:16). I can perceived the governor as an Ikwerre man singing “sobula chiokike mezere eme ola” There is no gainsaying the fact that except the Lord built this State, the builders would have laboured in vain and except the Lord watched over us, we would have been consumed by the fire of the enemy. So we thank God for his goodness on this administration. And we join in their celebration because as a people, we are the beneficiaries of this good governance. Like Julius Ceaser said “You have come, you have seen and you have conquered” And like Apostle Paul said to Timothy “You have fought a good fight, you have ran the race, what awaits you now the God’s reward” You did your best you can with the resources and the grace of God available to you. We say a big congratulations.

I have a few words for the Governors and I want to use this medium to convey these words to them.

i. Forgive your offenders for your own good: It is not easy to serve the public. Some would love you and some would hate you. Your ability to forgive those who wronged you determines how happy you become. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, he said, “As I stand before the door to my freedom, I realize that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me, I will still be in prison.” Your Excellency, if you don’t forgive your offenders, you cannot be free. Meanwhile everyone of us offends at one point or the other and we are forgiven by God in the same measure we forgive others.

ii. There are still more lands to conquer: When Joshua was old and he thought he had done much for God and so should retire, God told him, “There are still more lands to conquer” (Josh. 13:1). Your Excellency, you can still do more. The onus lies in you to figure out how you can do more for the State in particular and for our dear nation in general.

Let me at this juncture turn our attention to the in–coming Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu and offer a little piece of advice.

In his second inaugural address as the President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln said, “With malice towards none, with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.” These were the words of a great leader and they are very instructive. From this statement, I advise you to:

i. Carry everybody along: You are Governor of Rivers State and not of a section of Rivers State. You must not show hatred to anyone whether they are in the opposition or not. I heard you say “the doors and windows are open” I advised that you allow them to come through the door only not the window because only criminals come through the window. I the people concerned you to take advantage of the open doors.

ii. Ask God for wisdom to know what is right: Decision making is very important in governance. There are simple, difficult and complex decisions to make in governance. You need God to guide you to the right decisions from time to time. When Solomon was made king, he saw the enormity of the task before him and prayed And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: And I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people (I Kings 3:7-9). You need God’s illumination to distinguish between right and wrong. So pray for it and mediate in the word of God. Find time as a Christian and a Knight of St. Christopher, a carrier of Christ, a soldier of Christ to meditate in the word of God for therein lies the wisdom for success and prosperity in leadership and governance (Josh.1:8). What I am I saying “God first”.

iii. You have to be firm in what is right: Do not be swayed by the antics and selfish interests of power brokers. Stand up for what is right. Stand up for what would be in the interest of Rivers people. You need to know that in governance, if you have not stepped on toes, it probably means you are standing still.

When you do these things, you would succeed even more than your predecessor and this would make all of us who gathered here today happy. We wish you well.

As I conclude this sermon, I want to assure you of our prayers. We would continue to pray for the out-going Governor for God’s grace to attain higher heights in their career and for good health and long life to enjoy the works of their hands. And we would continue to pray for the in-coming Governor to serve Rivers people in the will of God, to win the battles in governance; for we know that there is a spiritual dimension to governance, and finally, to be a blessing to Rivers People by delivering the dividends of democracy to the people because people are the fulcrum of any meaningful development. In doing this, remember “Inye ine eba, inye indi eba”.

Let us pray.

Most Rev’d. Dr. Blessing C. Enyindah, DSSRS, JP, AP.  May 28, 2023.

Click Here to watch the News by ACNNTV

By Korede Akintunde 

Communication Officer 

Email: communication@anglican-nig.org 

The award was conferred on him by the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency Chief Bar. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS,POS Africa at the Banquet Hall Government House, Port Harcourt.

Commenting on the person of Archbishop Blessing Enyindah, people remarked that the Archbishop deserves the honour done him by the Rivers State Government. He is a true son of the state whose services was first noticed when he served as the Travelling Secretary of the Scripture Union Nigeria in Portharcourt Area, covering the Old Rivers State ( now Rivers and Bayelsa states) and Regional Cordinator covering Old Uyo Region ( covering Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers State.

And now as the Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre and the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta, Church Nigeria (Anglican) Communion, many Christians in Rivers State and beyond today owe their Christian faith to the evangelistic activities of the Archbishop. He is respected as a humble, dynamic, consistent and faithful Christian leader whose works has impacted on the people of the State. He was commended on his uncompromising stance on truth and Christian values for the development of the state.

Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, the Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, who spoke on the theme: “Let us arise and build,” called on members to support in building the church, particularly in the Niger Delta Province.

On state of the nation, Enyindah, who doubles as the Bishop of Ikwerre Anglican Diocese, said the spate of insecurity in the land had adversely affected innocent Nigerians, as well as the people’s economic and social life. He prayed God to intervene and raise obedient, righteous men that will lead the nation in righteousness.

On the issue of Anglican-owned higher institution in the Niger Delta Province, the cleric appealed to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Bayelsa counterpart, Duoye Diri to consider handing over the remaining Anglican mission schools in Rivers and Bayelsa that are still in government’s custody.

He listed some of the schools to include St. John’s Campus of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche and Western Ahoada County High School, Ahoada and Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

The meeting had in attendance members of the House of Bishops and their wives, members of the House of Clergy, as well as members from the House of Laity.

By Ogboka Umeda