Anglican Youths to converge in Owerri
CONN/420705
Abuja, July 27, 2005- Every August, Anglican youths look forward to a gathering that provides an opportunity to dig deep into biblical tradition of the church.
Themes are chosen to reflect the contemporary issues of the time. Scholars are invited to expound on Bible books and characters. Select participants from dioceses are grilled on their knowledge of the word of God and prizes are awarded to outstanding dioceses.
It’s the National Bible Study conference organized under the auspices of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria)-founded 1947 in Lagos by the former Archbishop of the Province of West Africa, Gordon Vining.
The Diocese of Owerri (Anglican Communion) is in an upbeat mood as it prepares to host some 15,000 participants to the 48th National Bible Study Conference (August 10-15 2005).
Over the past four years, the conference has moved from the dioceses of Awka, Benue, Ughelli and Abuja.
Bishop of Owerri, the Rt. Rev Cyril Okorocha hinted that accommodation has been secured for the delegates at the Government Secondary School Owerri and the adjourning Federal Government Girls’ College, situated at the city center in the Imo state capital.
According to him, young people will be imparted with the word of God at a time when the Anglican Communion is being threatened by distortions in the scripture occasioned by the revisionist theology (homosexuality).
He said notwithstanding the menace of cultism in the institutions of higher learning, it was still gratifying to see young people interested to go with God.
“This is the first time this kind of conference is coming to this part of Nigeria and we are really grateful for that opportunity and daunted by the responsibilities involved, he said.”
“For me it is significant in two ways. First, it shows an answer to prayer and the vision that one has had over the years; that the future of the Church is the younger and upcoming generation.”
“Second, young people are willing to learn at a time when many people are turning away from the scripture. I am encouraged to have been invited to do the Bible exposition on what it means to go with God,” Bishop Okorocha said.
The theme of the Conference is ‘Going with God in Times like This’. Participants from around the 94 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria are expected.
Outside the regular bible study and discussions, delegates at the 5-day meet will have an opportunity to pray together and share cultural ideas from the over 250 different ethnic nationals in the country.
In 2004, the bible study conference was hosted by the Diocese of Abuja in 2004, under the theme Living By Faith, with over 7000 participants.
Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev Peter Akinola while declaring the Abuja conference open had warned the Nigerian youth to beware of the ‘fake gospel.’
Akinola thrashed the teaching of those he called ‘modern preachers’, to whom God exists only to serve and meet their needs.
According to him, the fake gospel “it’s all about money and wealth” and went on to illustrate their antics as ‘selling holy water, holy oil and holy handkerchiefs to their gullible followers.’
He charged the youth to make efforts to be seen and believed to be working for the welfare of the Church particularly in line with the Vision of the Church of Nigeria; to make her adherents good and practical students of the Bible.
One year after, the scene has shifted some 700 km south, to Imo State and the Bishop of Owerri believes the Church of Christ has a lot of hope since young people are beginning to speak evangelical and commit themselves to the Bible.
Bishop Okorocha was for several years coordinator of Anglican Decade of Evangelism at the Anglican Communion office London. He returned to Nigeria in 1998 when he was elected the third Bishop of the Diocese of Owerri.
Excerpts of Interview with Bishop Okorocha
“Young people are beginning to speak evangelical’’- Bishop Okorocha
Is this the first time this Conference would be hosted in Owerri?
Yes this is the 1st time this kind of conference is coming to that part of Nigeria and we are really grateful for that opportunity and daunted by the responsibilities involved. But knowing the God whom we serve nothing is impossible. And this God has invested so much on the youths, so we are excited.
What kind of responsibilities are you talking about?
We were told rather belatedly that we are to expect something from 10 to 15,000 people from all over the country. It has to do with a lot of preparation. First, in finding a place and institution that can accommodate people. The huge financial commitment and provision to cater for the various invited speakers. We are hoping and trusting that someway somehow we will get out of it.
Who funds the project?
In line with the vision of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) under the leadership of the present Primate, the Most Rev Peter Akinola, the diocese of Owerri has showed as much self reliance as possible. So funds have come from the various churches in the diocese and ‘clean’ church people. (By clean church people), we are not taking any money from the cult people or 419ners or swindlers. In other words we will not receive money from anybody who is going to be a pain and a shame to the Church.
What steps have been taken to ensure a hitch-free conference?
There is this question of discipline and care. You are bringing boys and girls within the age of 18 and 40, most of the participants will be around the age of twenty (20) and they are going to camp for 5 days. Fortunately, we have two schools close to each other, Federal government Girls College (to accommodate the female delegates) and Government Secondary School Owerri (to accommodate the male delegates). They are adjacent to each other and they can contain up to 14,000 people. Also security arrangement has been made for the period and the State government has been most helpful.
What is the significance of the 48th National Bible Study Conference ?
For me it is significant in two ways. First, it shows an answer to prayer and the vision that one has had over the years; that the future of the Church is the younger and upcoming generation. From a very young age, in my teens I became a preacher (or was called to be a preacher). From medical studies to studies in architecture to philosophy and theology, till I became a Bishop, I have still remained with that vision. I have served among young people and students for many years within this country and overseas. For me it is very exciting that the prayers of many years are coming into fruition. Young people are beginning to speak evangelical, they are beginning to commit themselves to the Bible and significantly it is coming at a time when cultism is taking over our campuses yet you find a cream of young people who are saying that the theme of the conference is Going With God In Times Like This. That for me is very important. So in times when there is so much cultism in our campuses at a time when people are disillusioned with politics even in the church leadership, the young people instead of running away are saying we want to go with God. For anybody, that should be exciting.
Second, the significance for me is that young people are willing to learn at a time when many people are turning away from the scripture. As the homosexual debate is trying to destroy the church, young people have invited me to do the Bible exposition on what it means to go with God. If a church is true to the bible then that church would grow and since people are desirous to live their lives according to the bible then that church has a future. The thing about this God is that He doesn’t want you to go with him; He wants you to come with Him and I was glad that they didn’t say God come with us. They are saying we want to go with God. So what they have asked us to say is show us the way to God and the way to God is Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.
Wednesday 27 July 2005
Monday 25 July 2005
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishops and Archbishop
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishops and Archbishop
CONN/410705
Abuja, July 25, 2005- The Bishop of Asaba, the Rt. Rev Nicholas Okoh, has been elected the new Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
The election was made at the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which met at the Cathedral Church of St Mathew Benin, on Friday July 22, 2005.
The Episcopal Synod also decided to translate Bishop of Yola, the Rt. Rev Christian Efobi as the Bishop of newly created Diocese of Aguata, carved out of the Diocese of Awka in the Province of the Niger.
Bishop of Damaturu, the Rt. Rev Daniel Yisa as the Bishop of the Diocese of Minna in the Province of Abuja.
Director of Mission and Evangelism in the office of the Primate Abuja, the Rt. Rev Edafe Emamezi as the Bishop of the newly created missionary diocese of Western Izon, carved out of the Diocese of Warri in the Province of Bendel.
At the same meeting the following clergymen were also elected into the Episcopate for three vacant dioceses namely:
The Venerable John Akao of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan for the diocese of Sabongida-Ora in the Province of Bendel.
The Venerable Segun Adeyemi of the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral Ikeja, Lagos for the diocese of Kwara in the Province of Ibadan and the Venerable Solomon Kuponu of Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church Surulere Lagos for the new diocese of Ijebu-North, carved out of the Diocese of Ijebu in the Province of Lagos.
According to a release from the office of the Primate the consecration of the new Bishops will take place on September 11, 2005 at Cathedral Church of All Saints, Onitsha at the opening of the 8th General synod.
With the creation of additional three new dioceses namely Aguata, Ijebu-North and Western-Izon, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), established in 1979, now has 94 dioceses.
CONN/410705
Abuja, July 25, 2005- The Bishop of Asaba, the Rt. Rev Nicholas Okoh, has been elected the new Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
The election was made at the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which met at the Cathedral Church of St Mathew Benin, on Friday July 22, 2005.
The Episcopal Synod also decided to translate Bishop of Yola, the Rt. Rev Christian Efobi as the Bishop of newly created Diocese of Aguata, carved out of the Diocese of Awka in the Province of the Niger.
Bishop of Damaturu, the Rt. Rev Daniel Yisa as the Bishop of the Diocese of Minna in the Province of Abuja.
Director of Mission and Evangelism in the office of the Primate Abuja, the Rt. Rev Edafe Emamezi as the Bishop of the newly created missionary diocese of Western Izon, carved out of the Diocese of Warri in the Province of Bendel.
At the same meeting the following clergymen were also elected into the Episcopate for three vacant dioceses namely:
The Venerable John Akao of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan for the diocese of Sabongida-Ora in the Province of Bendel.
The Venerable Segun Adeyemi of the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral Ikeja, Lagos for the diocese of Kwara in the Province of Ibadan and the Venerable Solomon Kuponu of Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church Surulere Lagos for the new diocese of Ijebu-North, carved out of the Diocese of Ijebu in the Province of Lagos.
According to a release from the office of the Primate the consecration of the new Bishops will take place on September 11, 2005 at Cathedral Church of All Saints, Onitsha at the opening of the 8th General synod.
With the creation of additional three new dioceses namely Aguata, Ijebu-North and Western-Izon, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), established in 1979, now has 94 dioceses.
Wednesday 13 July 2005
Faith groups invited to promote small and medium enterprises
Faith groups invited to promote small and medium enterprises
CONN/400705
Abuja, July 13, 2005- A proposal by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) wants Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s) to consider setting up capacity building funds that would enable small and medium businesses thrive.
Under the proposal, funds for the establishment of the small and medium enterprises will be sourced from interested donor partners and internal machineries of faith groups.
Adherents of faith groups would be trained on how to imbibe basic business skills such as- book-keeping, accounting, taxation advisory and the use of information technology.
Another key feature of the initiative is the commissioning of a corps of volunteer professionals vested with the responsibility of mentoring prospective entrepreneurs in different areas of business interests.
At an interactive session with the representatives of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Director General of SMEDAN, Mrs. Dupe Adeleja said FBO’s were capable of providing economic empowerment through well developed local small and medium enterprises.
She said SMEDAN was consulting with International donors, Islamic and Christian organizations with a view to providing information on the expected benefits of the programme and roles expected of them.
Represented by Mr. Olufemi Adebiyi, Group Head Enterprise Promotions Management and Extension Services, the SMEDAN boss said the promotion of small and medium enterprises would ensure the reduction of pervasive poverty in the country.
Responding, the Director of Social Welfare of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ven Dr. Christian Ebisike said the Church was committed to the holistic presentation of the gospel- which included the welfare of the members.
He said government initiatives in the past failed because of the will power, commitment and continuity of political office holders and administrators.
He, therefore, pledged the commitment of the Anglican Church to ventures that would develop Nigerians into being more economic independent without compromising their faith.
Other representatives of the Church present at the parley were Canon Obioma Onwuzurumba, Mrs. Deborah Gazuma and Dame Adline Uwanaka.
Small and medium enterprises constitute the major sources of output, income and poverty alleviation in developed and developing countries.
In the European Union (EU), Small and Medium Enterprises generate over 60 million jobs and contribute nearly 21 per cent of the total output of the collective economy of the countries in the Union.
Nigeria is yet to fully reap the benefits of small and medium enterprises in economic development.
SMEDAN is the federal government agency charged with promoting entrepreneurial development in the country.
CONN/400705
Abuja, July 13, 2005- A proposal by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) wants Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s) to consider setting up capacity building funds that would enable small and medium businesses thrive.
Under the proposal, funds for the establishment of the small and medium enterprises will be sourced from interested donor partners and internal machineries of faith groups.
Adherents of faith groups would be trained on how to imbibe basic business skills such as- book-keeping, accounting, taxation advisory and the use of information technology.
Another key feature of the initiative is the commissioning of a corps of volunteer professionals vested with the responsibility of mentoring prospective entrepreneurs in different areas of business interests.
At an interactive session with the representatives of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Director General of SMEDAN, Mrs. Dupe Adeleja said FBO’s were capable of providing economic empowerment through well developed local small and medium enterprises.
She said SMEDAN was consulting with International donors, Islamic and Christian organizations with a view to providing information on the expected benefits of the programme and roles expected of them.
Represented by Mr. Olufemi Adebiyi, Group Head Enterprise Promotions Management and Extension Services, the SMEDAN boss said the promotion of small and medium enterprises would ensure the reduction of pervasive poverty in the country.
Responding, the Director of Social Welfare of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ven Dr. Christian Ebisike said the Church was committed to the holistic presentation of the gospel- which included the welfare of the members.
He said government initiatives in the past failed because of the will power, commitment and continuity of political office holders and administrators.
He, therefore, pledged the commitment of the Anglican Church to ventures that would develop Nigerians into being more economic independent without compromising their faith.
Other representatives of the Church present at the parley were Canon Obioma Onwuzurumba, Mrs. Deborah Gazuma and Dame Adline Uwanaka.
Small and medium enterprises constitute the major sources of output, income and poverty alleviation in developed and developing countries.
In the European Union (EU), Small and Medium Enterprises generate over 60 million jobs and contribute nearly 21 per cent of the total output of the collective economy of the countries in the Union.
Nigeria is yet to fully reap the benefits of small and medium enterprises in economic development.
SMEDAN is the federal government agency charged with promoting entrepreneurial development in the country.
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