This was contained in her Presidential Address to the Women of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Wednesday, September 17, at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti, during the second edition of the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) hosted by the Diocese of Ekiti.

In her address, Mrs. Ndukuba emphasized that the Church in Nigeria, faced with moral, doctrinal, and cultural challenges, must rise to defend the faith “once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). 

She outlined the following nine pathways for contending for the sanctity and integrity of the Church:

1. Spiritual Purity: Sanctity requires obedience to God’s Word and freedom from sin (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). In Joshua 7, Achan’s hidden sin defiled the entire community, illustrating the corporate impact of individual disobedience.
2. Sacred Purpose: The church exists to glorify God and advance His kingdom (Matthew 28:19-20). Ephesians 5:27 envisions the church as radiant in holiness, while Joshua 7 shows that sanctity is essential for mission fulfillment
3. Corporate Holiness: The church’s sanctity is communal, as seen in Joshua 7:11, where Achan’s sin affected all Israel, and in 1 Corinthians 12:26, where one member’s actions impact the whole body. Christians should strive to live a life of holiness and righteousness, reflecting the glory of God.
4. Doctrinal Defense: Contending involves safeguarding core Christian truths (e.g., Christ’s deity, salvation by grace) against distortion. Ephesians 5:26 emphasizes the Word’s role in sanctification, requiring fidelity to Scripture.
5. Moral Integrity: As Joshua confronted Achan, the church must address sin through discipline, aiming for repentance and restoration (Matthew 18:15-17). Christians should be vigilant and discerning, guarding against false teaching and sin.
6. Cultural Engagement: Contending means resisting worldly values and idolatry (Romans 12:2) while engaging society with truth and love, as Paul modeled in Athens (Acts 17:22-31).
7. Holiness as Witness: The church’s sanctity authenticates its testimony. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Achan’s sin in Joshua 7 dimmed Israel’s witness, requiring restoration.
8. Proclamation and Action: Witness involves preaching the gospel (Romans 10:14-15) and living it out through good deeds (Matthew 5:16). The early church’s unity and generosity were a powerful testimony (Acts 4:32-35).
9. Global Mission: The church’s witness extends to all nations, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan (Acts 1:8). To do this effectively, Christians must study the Bible regularly, seeking to understand its teachings and apply them to their lives.

Conclusion

Mrs. Ndukuba concluded that for the Church of Nigeria—and indeed the global Church—to remain faithful in an age of competing voices, it must uphold sanctity through purity, doctrinal fidelity, moral courage, and missional zeal. By walking this nine-point pathway, the Church will continue to shine as a holy, radiant bride prepared for her Lord (Ephesians 5:27).

The occasion was solemnly marked with a Eucharistic Thanksgiving service laced with a touch of class and elegance at Chapel Of The Resurrection, Episcopal House, Wuse Abuja.

In his short but fully loaded homily, the Bishop of Minna and Archbishop of Lokoja Province, The Most Revd Daniel Yisa on the topic tagged standing strong to the end took his text from Psalm 34 vs 1 to 10 went down the memory lane to eulogise Mama Angela for being a rare woman that is truly living the marriage vow of for better for worse to the letter. Looking back as to how she passed through turbulent weather with his husband in areas bedeviled by Boko Haram Terrorists, one could not but join her in resounding thanksgiving and praises to God.

The Archbishop relived some near death encounters with the dare devils and how in their early marriage lost almost all their properties. In all these turbulence Mama Angela never betrayed her love to her husband. She stood with his husband through thick and thin. Now as Primate’s wife she has every cause to roll out the drums in praises to the Almighty.

He said that it is not easy to run a family and at the same time run a ministry.

Most Rev’d Daniel Yisa applaud the primate for making out time to celebrate with his wife despite his tight ministerial schedule.

Mama Angela’s birthday celebration was graced by his husband the Primate of all Nigeria, Archbishop, Bishops, Clergy and well wishers.

Primate Ndukuba captured it all in his congratulatory message : ” Dear in, advancing in age with you is such a graceful walk in life. You are like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass. You are a blessing to our family, the Church of God and our generation. Happy birthday!!”.

Well wishers and guest were hosted to a brief and classy reception program after the service in the Episcopal House Multipurpose Hall as the Clergy wives ushered in the Celebrant and her husband into the reception venue.

_ACNNTV NEWS_

In a statement of disclaimer signed by Venerable Dajur and made available to ACNNTV on Friday 21st of January which reads:

“Disclaimer!
Greetings in Christ Jesus.

Please disregard any call, SMS or Social Media Message asking for financial support from the wife of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria as it is the handy work of fraudsters.

Beware!

May God deliver us from fraudsters and expose them always.

The LORD be with you.

Gen. Sec. CON
Friday Jan. 21, 2022

Mrs Ndukuba spoke while delivering her Presidential Address to the Abuja Diocesan Women’s Conference, themed “Be Ye Steadfast and Immovable in Challenging Times” (I Cor. 15:58), held between Thursday 14^th to Sunday 17^th October, 2021 at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

She said the hope of believers in Christ is the confident affirmation that God is faithful and that He would do what He says.  The President said, “God allowed challenges/trials to come our way to: Build our faith and trust in Him; Equip us to comfort others; Bring out the best in us and Discipline and prove that we belong to God.”

Mrs Ndukuba admonished the women to stand firm, be steadfast and immovable In the course of any challenge, Having faith in Christ; Constant study of God’s Word; Abounding in the work of God; Consistent prayer and Absolute dependence. She concluded by saying: “As believers, we must remain steadfast and immovable in Christ in order to: Be partakers of all the rich blessings God designed for us in affliction and enjoy abundant consolation in Christ.”

The Primate of all Nigeria and Bishop of Diocese of Abuja, The Most Revd. Henry C. Ndukuba, in his charge during the Opening Service for the Conference, enjoined all Christians, especially Christian Women not to allow any trial or challenge move or shake them and cause them to derail from following Christ.  He noted that the security challenge and the killings here and there in the country could make people question the protection of God. But he encouraged them to remain immovable and steadfast in all these.

The women went through series of programs, including Bible Study where they were made to understand that Christians, including Christian Women have been called unto steadfastness.  Steadfastness is commitment to the Lord.  Following Jesus would come at a cost that would demand their total commitment even under pressure.  They need a life of Christ that cannot perish, the life that keep believers pressing on is a life that perseveres, a life of purpose and above all, the power of Christ.

The women were taught how to balance Christianity with culture and seek to transform their culture with Christian principles.

Issues on the prevention and management of domestic violence were also tackled during the conference.  Domestic violence is a prevalent and devastating reality that the body of Christ in general and Christian counselors, in particular, must address.  The Conference featured an interactive session that gave the women the opportunity to ask questions on issues bothering their minds.

The Conference ended with thanksgiving by the women which was done Archdeaconry by Archdeaconry.

By Oluwaseun Owoeye