The special day of prayer is scheduled for Friday, August 29, 2025.

In a directive signed by Ven. Gershinen Paul, the CON General Secretary, to all Bishops, clergy, and laity, the Primate urged members to join in “fervent intercession” and “stand in the gap with one heart.” 

Christians are encouraged to observe specific prayer times at 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM, as they are able.

The call to prayer is supported by several biblical passages, including Joel 2:17, which speaks to priests weeping for the nation; Psalm 68:1, which asks God to scatter His enemies; and Psalm 125:3, which affirms that “the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous.”

To facilitate the event, the Most Reverend Sosthenes Eze has been tasked with mobilizing the Church of Nigeria Prayer Teams across all dioceses and provinces. 

The leadership hopes that God will hear their collective cry and visit the church, families, and the nation with mercy and power.

The announcement was made at the 14th edition of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion’s Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers Conference in Abuja.

The Primate stated that the decision comes after some new applications started coming in after the closure of the timeline set by the Church for the processes.

He noted that a comprehensive effort to survey, inspect, and validate potential new dioceses across the country has also been completed by various teams setup to do so.

Recall that the moratorium on the creation of Dioceses was lifted during the 14th General Synod at Nnewi and clear guidelines and conditions were laid out as a guide for the Creation of a New Diocese.

The three Committees of the Supra Regions in the Church of Nigeria, Supra West, Supra North and the Joint Council of Eastern Provinces were mandated under the leadership of Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa, Archbishop Daniel Yisa and Archbishop David Onuoha respectively to receive applications, review, inspect. These committees have submitted their reports and the National Validation Team headed by Archbishop Timothy Yahaya, have also submitted their reports and findings.

The Primate disclosed that the committees presented their findings at the standing committee meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State early this year. Following the presentation, a central validation team was formed to review and verify the initial reports.

The validation team’s final report was submitted on July 3rd to the Primate of All Nigeria, who convened a meeting with legal officers and the leaders of the initial committees to discuss the findings.

The Primate described the submission of the final report as the conclusion of “Phase One” of the creation of new dioceses, a process that began last year. He appealed for the support of the church’s members to ensure the successful implementation of the new dioceses when created.

Further details on the specific dioceses to be created are expected to be announced at the appropriate time.

Korede Akintunde
CoN Communication officer
07-08-2025

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Standing Committee (The Meeting) met under the guidance of the Holy Spirit at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church Port Harcourt, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rivers State, from Monday 17th to Friday 21st February, 2025. The Meeting with the theme “The Bond of Peace: The Core of the Life and Ministry of the Church” (Ephesians 4:3), was presided over by His Grace, The Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, DD, (Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

In attendance were 137 Archbishops/Bishops, 146 Clergy, and 96 lay members. Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were the wife of the Primate of Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Eberechukwu Ndukuba (President of Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Organizations); Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS (The Governor of Rivers State); Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha (President of the Christian Council of Nigeria); and other government and religious functionaries. Former Primates of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Jasper Akinola and Most. Rev. Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh sent goodwill messages.

At the end of the meeting, the Standing Committee issued the following communiqué:

THEME OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING:

The theme of the Standing Committee, “The Bond of Peace: The Core of the Life and Ministry of the Church” (Ephesians 4:3), emphasizes a foundational role of peace in the unity and universality of the Church. The Church, as the body of Christ, consists of people called out from diverse socio-political and cultural backgrounds, forming a community united in Christ’s peace (Ephesians 4:3). In a world where nations that advocate peace also engage in war and arms trade, the Church must model a high standard of reconciliation and justice to ensure peace. Beyond teaching the Word of God, the Church must endeavour to live out what it teaches, as this is an assured way  the world will know that the Church is Christ’s true ambassador on earth. The importance of unity in the body of Christ, the role of peace in the home and its broader implications for social and national harmony cannot be over emphasized.

STATE OF THE NATION:

1. The Challenge of Insecurity:

Nigeria is fast becoming a land flowing with tears and blood due to the reality of terror, devastation, destruction and fear amongst the citizenry. The increasing and constant incidences of attacks in villages, cities, on the roads, airports, railways and waterways, and kidnapping give great worry and concern as to whether the government is overwhelmed by it. While the Standing Committee salutes the efforts of our security men, it calls on the government and relevant security agencies to brace up to the occasion to combat this monster of insecurity, check our porous national borders and collaborate with local vigilantes, before things further degenerate.

2. A New Constitution:

History shows Nigeria has been guided at different stages of development and nationhood by several Constitutions. While we commend the National Assembly on their efforts at piecemeal reviews of the military-imposed Constitution, the Committee calls for a totally new civilian Constitution drafted by a sovereign representation of the ethnic nationalities of the country, to address the fundamental issues necessary for a growing, united and prosperous nation.

3. National Reconciliation:

It is a common knowledge that Nigeria is unfortunately fractionalized along ethnic and religious lines, which some elites and politicians have exploited for their selfish gains. The ugly memories of the first military coup and the Nigerian-Biafra civil war still linger. Every region of Nigeria has their historic and social grievances. While we commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his creation of Regional Development Commissions to address some of these grievances, the Standing Committee strongly calls on the government to deliberately make you efforts to de-toxicate Nigeria by establishing a National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to address the grievances of groups and bring genuine healing to the nation.

4. Nigeria’s Economic Environment:

Nigeria stands at an uncertain and fragile economic crossroads, as evident with galloping inflation rates, huge foreign debts and unprecedented high foreign exchange rates. The expected economic gains from floating of the Naira and removal of fuel subsidy have rather impoverished the already battered Nigerians as prices of food and services continue to soar. The Committee notes with commendation the firming up and relative stability of the Naira in the official window, and therefore urges the government and fiscal authorities to pay more attention to mechanised agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure and solid minerals to boost productivity and improve the lives of the citizenry.

5. Nigerian Youths and Unemployment:

The high rate of unemployment in the country has not abated. The Meeting therefore condemns acts of some youths getting involved in different anti-social and criminal activities. Thus, strongly advises them to desist and begin to lead a very productive and meaningful life to themselves and the society at large.

The Meeting also requests the government and stakeholders at all levels of the nation, to ensure that our teeming youths population are provided with the requisite environment that will enhance good employments and engagements for our youths.

6. Health:

The challenges in Nigeria’s health sector are obvious as can be seen from acute understaffing in our hospitals, poor doctor-to-patient ratios, and poor facilities which compromise healthcare deliverables. The Standing Committee frowns at the allocation of only 5.18% to the health sector in the 2025 budget, falling far short of the 15% Commitment made during the Abuja Declaration in 2021. This budget signals a lack of prioritization for the health of Nigerians.

The Committee is worried about the recent suspension of USAID funding, which jeopardises vital programmes for maternal and child health, malaria, and HIV/AIDS treatment. This withdrawal impacts millions of vulnerable Nigerians and highlights the country’s over reliance on international aid.

The Committee therefore demands a substantial increase in funding and improved management of allocated resources to healthcare and urges that the government should pursue sustainable local funding solutions for its healthcare system.

7. Politics and Governance:

The Standing Committee notes that it is just less than halfway into the tenure of the current administration and that some political office holders have abandoned governance to pursue their reelection in 2027. This is rather too early and insensitive to the ugly plight of the suffering masses. The Committee therefore makes a clarion call to all our politicians and those seeking elective offices to concentrate on giving the citizens democratic dividends as promised. The polity should not be heated up, thereby making politics a blood bath and  governance about the selfish interest of the political class.

8. The Judiciary:

The Standing Committee reiterates the unique and dual role of the Judiciary as the principal stabilizer of the Nigerian polity and the proverbial last-hope of the common man. Therefore, the State must protect a free, independent and impartial Judiciary. The Committee deplores all acts, policies and practices that assault and undermine the reality of a free and independent Judiciary, and therefore calls on other branches of government, the Judicial Service Commission of the Federation and of the States, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to ensure that the mode of appointment and removal of Judges, tenure , general welfare and freedom from political interference are always upheld.

The Committee also calls on the Judiciary itself to always live up to its attributes as a free, independent and impartial institution. Judges and every other person empowered by law to adjudicate on disputes should endeavour to be free of corrupt tendencies and carry out their duties with the fear of God, who is the Ultimate Judge.

9. Education:

The bedrock of development of any society is education. The Committee notes with concern the confusion surrounding the national policy on education at all levels. This uncertainty needs clarity.

10. Gender-Based Violence:

The Standing Committee observes with dismay the incessant and prevalent gender-based violence in our society especially against women, the girl-child, orphans and widows. The Committee vehemently decries these incidents and calls on relevant agencies of government to intensify efforts at detection and prosecution of perpetrators to ensure they do not go unpunished. A transformational response should also be put in place by the government and the Church to forestall such violence in our homes, schools and work places.

CONCLUSION:

God has called us for peace, He dwells in and among us, working through His Word and the Holy Spirit to sanctify and empower us to live in victory. Though tribes and tongues may differ, yet the oneness and interconnectedness of Nigerians if harmonized can engender peace, harmony and growth of our nation Nigeria.

Signed By:

The Most Rev’d. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, DD      

(Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria)

Most Rev’d. Dr. Blessing C. Enyindah

(Dean, Church of Nigeria)

Ven. Dr. Paul G. Dajur

(General Secretary, Church Of Nigeria).

Korede Akintunde, the Church’s Communications officer stated this in a press statement on Sunday.

He said the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion who announced this at the meeting affirmed that the fund will be invested and managed by reputable fund managers to help develop young people across the Church spiritually, skill development, career opportunities, ICT and infrastructures etc.

Archbishop Ndukuba noted that the Church cannot afford not to invest in the young people who are the future of the Church and the country at large. He added that while building big churches and cathedrals are good, the church must focus on building the occupants who are the young people. “Most of us here will no more be here in the next 10 to 20 years, and we must deliberately invest in those who will continue from where we stopped”.

The Standing Committee meeting by approving this initiative has mandated the anchor bishop of the Joshua Generation International Youth Conference (JGIYC), The Rt. Rev’d Aloysius Agbo to work out the modalities of raising this fund and setting up the board of trustee who will manage the fund properly under the Youth Mission Investment Fund which will be chaired by Chief Toyin Okeowo, the CEO of Metropolitan Motors, Lagos.

The anchor bishop while presenting the proposal to the meeting noted that the JGIYC has taken a great step forward with organizing various youth-oriented trainings which includes various ICT training, Movie and film production, CoNAC Football Club, Music Academy among others.

He added that the next conference will be having more representatives of Youth organizations from other African and Gafcon countries in attendance while in 2026, the Gafcon will be mobilizing youths across the world to Nigeria to attend the conference. A booklet that gives a summarized impact of JGIYC called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit at JGIYC” can be read here.

Korede Akintunde added that the fund-raising plans have commenced immediately, and the anchor bishop, Aloysius Agbo has urged all visionary members of the church and the public to key into this. He noted that awareness to various selected dioceses, groups and individuals will be done starting from next month, October 2024.

From his humble beginning at Ogberuru in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and through his 63 years on mother earth, he has passed through the ups and downs of this world. Indeed, but for the big God who is always by his side, he would have been long forgotten. Sampler: during his early pastoral duties at Kano in the Northern part of Nigeria, he had all his earthly possessions and that of his newly wedded wife destroyed by religious mobs. At another point, Boko Haram came calling. The terrorists invaded his residence with the sole aim of killing him and his beloved wife Angela. Again, God proved His awesome power and majesty as the bullets meant to terminate their lives whistled past them and they stayed alive to tell the story. Not only that, God renewed his strength and he saw himself jump over a wall-the height of which could qualify him to compete at the Olympics. Yet, his ordeal was not over.

Ten years ago, he suffered a life-threatening heart disease and was almost gone but for the big God, who, again, stood by his side to save and revive him. Many, indeed, are the sufferings of the righteous but the good Lord sees him through them all. Unknown to Ndukuba, the Lord was preparing him for the greater assignment of leading the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

His passion for evangelism across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and the world over got him heavenly approval. He is a sound Biblical Scholar, Teacher, Master Liturgist, prolific writer, Pastor and an accomplished Evangelist. He loves the Lord Jesus Christ and has a great heart for the Word of God. Today, rural evangelism is spreading like bush fire. His vision of mission fields is gaining traction not only in Nigeria, Africa, but worldwide.

Looking back, our Primate will today be grateful to God as he sings Stanza 4 of the song titled: IN CHRIST ALONE;

“No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me. Life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”

Here now is an abridged version of the Life and Times of Primate Ndukuba:
Henry Chukudum Ndukuba was born on the 18th of July 1961, to Mr. and Mrs. Silas O. Ndukuba of Ogberuru in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Both parents were Christian Missionary Society (now known as Anglican) school and church teachers in now Diocese of Orlu, (which happens to be Henry’s home diocese). Young Henry attended Bishop Shanahan College, Orlu, and wrote and passed his West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE, in 1978. While in secondary school, precisely in 1977, he gave his life to Jesus Christ as a teenager. This meant a brand-new beginning for him.

He started his working life in Kano State Library, Ministry of Education, where he was between 1977 and 1980. It was while in Kano that he received the call into the gospel ministry and was subsequently sent to the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Bukuru, where he was between 1980 and 1984 obtained his Bachelors of Divinity (B.D) degree. He did his mandatory one-year national service in Kano State (1984-1985).

He was ordained into the Holy Order diaconate in 1984, and priesthood 1985.
Ndukuba served in St Georges Anglican Church, Borupai, Kano, till he was sent to teach in St. Francis of Assisi Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria in 1985. He served in many capacities and headed the college as the acting Dean.In July 1996, he was moved back to be the Archdeacon of Kano and helped stabilize the diocese of Kano after some turbulent period.

His zeal for the Lord and love for mission was evident. In July 1999, he was requested to return as Dean of St. Francis College, Wusasa, but by September 1999, he was elected the Bishop of Gombe.

Nineteen years after, he was elected Archbishop of Jos Ecclesiastical province and presented January 12, 2018, and on 24th September 2019, he got elected by the Episcopal Synod as Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

Ndukuba obtained a Masters of Arts degree (M.A) in Systematic Theology from Durham University, England, in 1990, and yet another M.A in Christian Education at the Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, USA, in 1996. He distinguished himself as a scholar by winning the 1996 John Havran’s Princeton prize for Christian Education.

Henry Ndukuba is a servant of God and God’s people. He loves God and has received the grace to teach, preach and stand out as an evangelist and missioner. His Episcopacy has been a blessing to the church of God. He was the chairman of the liturgy and spirituality committee of the Church of Nigeria whose responsibility is to produce the Annual Bible study Manual, Daily Fountain Devotional, Sunday School Manual and Youth Devotional for the Church of Nigeria. His committee produced the New Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal for the Church of Nigeria.

He also serves as the chairman of the Church of Nigeria Historical Records and Artifacts Committee, a body charged with the responsibility of recording and preserving the historical records and artifacts of the Church and set up an Archives for the Church.

As the Bishop of Gombe, the Anglican Church has grown from 18 congregation to over 150 churches. God has blessed the Diocese through the humble service of faith of this servant of God and the pastors.

Church planting and evangelism, raising of lay and pastoral leadership and discipleship remain the core of his ministry. He works with communities and leaders of Gombe State to see to peaceful coexistence and community development. In order to sustain the ministry of the gospel in Gombe State, Archbishop Henry Ndukuba has worked with Luke Partnership, Nigeria Bible Translation Trust and Seed Company to produce literary materials and translate the Bible and Jesus film into 10 of the 17 tribal languages in the state.

He is the BOT Chairman of LIST, the registered body working on translation of Bible, Jesus Film and literary materials in Nigeria languages especially minority languages in Nigeria.

The work of ministry is ongoing for there are still many lands to conquer. The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few but thanks be to the Lord of the harvest for with Him, all things are possible

Archbishop Henry is married to Mrs. Angela E. Ndukuba (Nee Okoro), an accomplished servant of God, Educationist and mother in God’s church. They are blessed with six children and grandchildren.

Recall that the newly consecrated Bishops were elected last month at the end of the episcopal synod held at St Michael’s Anglican Church Owa Alero in Ika Diocese, Delta State, The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba had announced the elections of four clergymen to fill the vacant Episcopal Sees in four Dioceses.

The Bishops are namely;

1. The Rt. Rev’d Owen Amos Ukafia, Bishop of Uyo Anglican Diocese
2. The Rt. Rev’d Nuhu Yohanna, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Katsina
3. The Rt. Rev’d Tamunotari Obaze, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ogbia
4. The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Ikechukwu Egbuonu, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Oji-River

The immediate past Dean of Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Prof. Ali Buba Lamido who delivered the sermon pointedly counseled them to be leaders with human face but be firm in taking decisions that would grow their dioceses physically and spiritually. He took the text of his message from Ezekiel 1 vs 10

“As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.”

He used analogy of these animals to drive home his message. For lion a beautiful, bold and royal animal to behold; its positive side while its negative side is a ferocious animal that can pounce and devour on anything while ox is a strong animal that strives at all times to build relationships.  The eagle nurtures its young ones so they can soar above the cloud and fly higher. He admonished the new Bishops to build good relationships with their priests and members of the laity and always see to their welfare. ‘Please pay priests’ stipends promptly” he added.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba who presided over the service charged the new bishops while consecrating them to be a Shepherd and not a wolf to the flock of Christ, to feed them and do not devour them, to seek the lost, uphold the weak, restore health to the sick, lift the downtrodden and ensure discipline but forget not mercy.

The Most Rev’d Dr Isaac Nwaobia, Archbishop of Aba and the Bishop of Isiala-Ngwa South was the celebrant. The Rt Rev’d Ndubisi Obi, Bishop of Nnewi Diocese was the Epsitolar taken from the book of 2 Corinthians 4: 1-10. The Gospeller was The Rt Rev’d Nixon A. Anekeme, Bishop of Niger Delta West Diocese which was taken from Matthew 28: 18-20.

The Litany was taken by The Rt Rev’d Dr Babatunde Ogunbanwo, Bishop of Ijebu South West Diocese and the Old Testament Reading was taken by Otunba Segun Demuren, Chancellor Diocese of Ijebu from the book of Isaiah 6: 1-8.

The Bishop of Ijebu Rt Rev’d Dr. Peter Rotimi Oludipe was excited to note it by appreciating the leadership of the Church Most Revd Henry Ndukuba for the honour done to the Diocese and the people of Ijebu land in hosting this very important service.

Korede Akintunde

CoN Communication Officer

Email: communication@anglican-nig.org

This was made known through a letter signed by the Primate to Bishop Felix Orji dated 23^rd October 2022. The Primate who deeply regrets the recent public utterances and actions of Bishop Orji against the authority of the Church of Nigeria which has precipitated a moment of crisis in the mission field in North America prays for quick resolution and peace, urging all members and clergy to remain calm.

The Rt. Rev’d Celestine Ironna, a suffragan Bishop under the diocese has been appointed to supervise the diocese for now while Venerable Chukwuma Ubadinobi, the Dean of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston, Texas is to take charge of the Cathedral and work with the Vestry until all issues are sorted out.

Bishop Felix Orji was consecrated by the Church of Nigeria 11 years ago as a bishop under the Church of Nigeria to administer one of its dioceses in its mission to North America in order to provide a safe spiritual and pastoral home for all Bible-believing and all who cherish the Anglican Heritage as we received it, in the face of the erroneous doctrine and practice of The Episcopal Church (TEC). 

Meanwhile, the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Houston Texas, and several other Churches in the Diocese have voted to remain in the Church of Nigeria, and will not move to Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) with Bishop Orji.

The Anglican Church in North America is in the United States and Canada. It also includes some congregations in Mexico, two mission churches in Guatemala, and a missionary diocese in Cuba.

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