Women assume key positions as Anglicans elect new officers
CONN/590905
Onitsha, Sept. 13, 2005-Even though the Church of Nigeria has put off “for now” the ordination of women as Priests, the women folk made a fundamental mark during the election of new officers into the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
At the ongoing 8th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria in Onitsha, 5 women were elected into key positions of the Church, in an election where the male majority determined the stakes.
Justice Titilola Mabogunje was elected Chairman of the House of Laity, while Dr. Mrs. Christie Toby, was elected by the Synod as the Lay Secretary.
Dr Mrs. Bridget Birabi joins the Most Rev Josiah Idowu Fearon (Archbishop of Kaduna) and Justice E. Ubaezuonu as elected representatives of the Church to the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Similarly, Barr (Mrs.) Dupe Olomolehin was elected to represent Nigeria in the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA). Other person’s elected in the group are the Rt. Rev Peter Adebiyi (Bishop of Lagos-West) and Ven. Caleb Udom.
The General synod also elected Barr Mrs. Ime Udom into the 8-member Committee of Reference made up of mostly members of the legal profession.
At the same election, the following were elected as representatives of the Church of Nigeria to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC): the Rt. Rev Ikechi Nwosu, Ven. Dr. Abraham Okorie and the Registrar of the Church of Nigeria, Barr. Abraham Yisa.
Others officers elected at the election include Mr. Nnodum Aziagba, who returns as the treasurer while Prince Rufus Ekejiuba and Chief Ademola Otitoju were returned as Auditors.
Ven. Erastus Obilo, becomes the Prolocutor or the Chairman of the House of Clergy and the Rt. Rev Friday Imaehkai (Bishop of Esan) will serve as the Episcopal secretary.
All the offices are for a term of three years with an option of a second term.
