Monday 31 October 2005

GLOBAL SOUTH ANGLICAN CHURCHES COME OF AGE

GLOBAL SOUTH ANGLICAN CHURCHES COME OF AGE

CONN/711005
EGYPT, OCTOBER 31, 2005-Eight years after their last meeting and five years after the planning of one was foiled due to denial of funding by the traditional western backers, the mostly orthodox Anglicans in the South graphically demonstrated the coming of age of the Church of the Global South with an exiting encounter
Themed ‘One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”, the week long Encounter released a communiqué at the end titled TRUMPET III – A Third trumpet from the South. This followed the pattern of the first two of such meetings.
As done in the two previous encounters (Nairobi; 1994, Kular Lumpur; 1997), the gathering seemed to find that their bond is basically their belief in the supremacy of the Holy Scripture as traditionally held to be the standard of human life, belief, doctrine and conduct.
Against the backdrop of sharp disagreements over human sexuality in the wider Anglican body and indeed in some other denominations, the Encounter emphasized their commitment to the unity of the body of Christ but noted that such unity must not be a premise for a denial of the truth of the Scriptures. “The boundary of family identity ends within the boundary of the authentic Word of God.”
Having thus established the boundaries of the oneness of the Church, the encounter, went on to affirm the holiness of the church as being derived from God through belief and obedience to Christ as revealed by the Scriptures. “Through repentance the Church can regain her rightful position of being holy before God.”
For the Global South, “Catholicity carries with it the notion of completeness and wholeness. Thus in the church catholic when one part suffers, every part suffers with it.”
They therefore reached out hands of fellowship to recognize some sections of the church especially in the West that seem to be under persecution to give up their beliefs in God and the Scriptures in return for a lifestyle they believe can lead to separation from God.
The build up of theological structures which many see as a precursor to a worldwide Anglican realignment was also embraced and encouraged.
To the revisionists bent on enthroning immorality in the church, the communiqué regretted that they are yet to show any evidence of repentance and may thus end up walking apart.
Having earlier implied that holiness is worth dying for, and repeating the call for appropriate discipline, the future of the Communion remains an important point of prayer.
The Youths whose provincial leaders were delegates to the encounter sounded just as tough as they implied success in moral purity in the face of the rising influence of immoral values and practice, and they stated a readiness to “give their lives to the ministry of the Church if she gives them exemplary spiritual leadership and a purpose to live for.
The communiqué pledged a commitment to the development and support of leaders who are role models for the faithful.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Encounter, Most Rev. Peter Akinola used the occasion of his sermon at the opening to affirm the Christian identity as stated in 1Peter 2:9 – A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
Building up from the call, deliverance, disobedience and exile of Israel, he summarized that being Anglican without obedience to God of Scripture and the pursuit of holiness is a precursor to exile

Saturday 29 October 2005

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE PRIMATE OF ALL NIGERIA, THE MOST REV’D PETER J. AKINOLA ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE PRIMATE OF ALL NIGERIA, THE MOST REV’D PETER J. AKINOLA ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

Gentlemen of the Press,
I welcome you all to this special occasion of interaction and briefing on recent events in the Anglican Communion, where by the divine providence, I serve to lead and lead to serve.
I congratulate and thank you for the effective coverage of the just concluded 8th General Synod of our Church, held at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Onitsha. An informed press which cannot be taken for granted contributes to the building of the person and the nation.
THE CHURCH
The Church of Nigeria upholds without restriction the authority of scripture and is unreservedly committed to mission and evangelism that results in conversion of people to the Lord, church-planting and the caring ministry.
We believe and teach that a person sanctified in word and deed, through faith in Jesus the Christ, is capable of performing his civic duties more responsibly, in the awareness that he is accountable to God, the Creator and owner of Life.
Two weeks after our meeting in Onitsha, a lot of misconstrued information has been making the waves around the world particularly in the western media, concerning some of the decisions reached by the General Synod of the Church.
To refresh your memories, in Onitsha we took a number of actions to clarify our commitment to the apostolic faith. One of the things we did to strengthen this position was to amend our constitution.
Our amended constitution deleted all such references that hold colonial intonation defining us with the See of Canterbury and replaced them with a new provision of Communion with all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacrament and Discipline of the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
This action has been largely misrepresented by those who think that schism in the Anglican Church has become inevitable following the disarray the United States and the Canadian Churches brought on the Communion because of their revisionist agenda on homosexuality. And most recently the House of Bishops of the Church of England’s apparent double-speak on the Civil Partnerships Act that comes into force by December 5, this year.
We want to state that our intention in amending the 2002 Constitution of the Church of Nigeria was to make clear that we are committed to the historic faith once delivered to the Saints, practice and the traditional formularies of the Church.
The triennial Synod of the Church amended the language of our constitution so that those who are bent on creating a new religion in which anything goes, and have thereby chosen to walk a different path may do so without us.
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is Evangelical. We want to reiterate that adherence to the Holy Scripture is not only paramount, it is also for us, non-negotiable. Furthermore in matters of faith and practice, the Holy Scripture provides sufficient warrant for what is considered right and what is judged to be wrong. The word of God cannot be compromised.
We treasure our place within the worldwide family of the Anglican Communion but we are distressed by the unilateral actions of those provinces that are clearly determined to redefine what our common faith was once. We have chosen not to be yoked to them as we prefer to exercise our freedom to remain faithful. We continue to pray, however, that there will be a genuine demonstration of repentance.
We are Anglicans and have done nothing or ever think of doing anything capable of breaking up the Communion. Some find the historic tenets of our common beliefs old fashioned and unacceptable to their modern culture. They are introducing new religious practices unknown to scripture and our history and are the ones tearing apart the very fabric of our Communion.
At our meeting in Onitsha, we also decided to make constitutional provision to extend pastoral care and Episcopal oversight to those of our people and others who are geographically separated from us but who share our convictions through the establishment of Convocations and Chaplaincies beyond our shores.
Other provinces have had such pastoral arrangements notably in Europe. Our earnest desire is to see the fabric of our beloved Anglican Communion restored and our bonds of affection renewed through our common commitment to God’s Word written as expressed in Article XX of our common Articles of Religion.
Back home, we reminded ourselves at the Synod that though tribe and tongue may differ, we are one body in Christ as long as our belief in God is the same. We condemn in strongest terms divisions borne out of ethnicity and nepotism in the Church.
We also resolved to live together and focus on evangelism as we spread out to reach all parts of Nigeria with the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We hope that the unity demonstrated by our Church will be a paradigm of the unity desired by our nation.
THE NATION
Come October 2, 2005 after almost 16 years of ‘inactivity’ the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja will be dedicated to the Glory of God. The Church appreciates the efforts of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, towards the completion of the edifice. This construction reminds us all, particularly Christians of the unity of the body of Christ and by extension, the unity of our nation.
We urge all Christians to see the dedication of this symbol of unity as an opportunity for us to know one another better as fellow pilgrims in this fleeting world. We should begin to see ourselves as people of one faith, one church, under one God?
No matter our tongue or tribe, we must resolve to work together toward the total emancipation of this great nation by sharing and demonstrating the gospel principles in all areas of our endeavour.
Lately, our nation has been impaled with rumours of chaos and the political class are not helping matters as scheming for the 2007 elections seem to override every other consideration. The Church is also impaled with the complaints of the wretched of the earth- the poor, the jobless, the oppressed and millions of Nigerians who continue to groan under abject want and poverty in the midst of plenty.
The brokenness of our entire society including the Church of God, calls for urgent action from all and sundry. The suffering of the vast majority is as glaring as the ostentatious living of a privilege few.
While urging Nigerians to heed government’s appeal to make more sacrifices for the good of the nation, the church also calls on our government functionaries and public officers to do the same by watching their ostentatious life style.
IMMUNITY CLAUSE:
Though we appreciate the wisdom of the makers of our Constitution in providing immunity for our leaders, what is obtainable now, does more harm than good to the nation.
The public office holders who enjoy immunity under the constitution should live above board and appreciate that immunity from prosecution does not mean immunity from investigation.
When leaders are clearly living beyond their means, or where there is evidence of funds being transferred outside the State into foreign bank accounts, if the immunity clause should be called to their aid, it makes the whole idea ridiculous. We therefore call on all stake-holders in this nation to set in motion the Federal Government machinery to remove this “dubious cover” from all public office holders.
Thank you for honouring our invitation, we pray that God that has given you the opportunity to communicate to millions of people will uphold you with his truth. Amen.
Sincerely,

The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola DD, C.O.N.
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria.

Thursday 20 October 2005

NIGERIA TO SEND OUT MORE MISSIONARIES AROUND AFRICA

NIGERIA TO SEND OUT MORE MISSIONARIES AROUND AFRICA

CONN/681005
3 new Bishops including missionary bishop to Congo consecrated
OCTOBER, 20 2005- The consecration service of three Bishops was held on October 14 at the Christ Church Cathedral Marina Cathedral.
Abidoun Ogunyemi (Damaturu), Ibrahim Markus (Yola) and Abiodun Olaoye (Missionary to Congo) are the latest addition to the House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).


New bishops and wives after the servicePrimate of the Church, the Most Rev Peter Akinola presided at the consecration assisted by other Bishops of the Church of Nigeria.
Archbishop of Lagos, the Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo was the celebrant at the Holy Communion while the Bishop of Kebbi, the Rt. Rev Edmund Akanya gave the sermon.
In his homily themed Follow Me, Bishop Akanya who led the new Bishops in a pre- consecration retreat, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to be diligent to their calling.
Taking the text of his sermon from the biblical story of the call of the Apostle Levi by Jesus Christ as recorded in Mark 2: 14, + Akanya reminded the newly consecrated that the early disciples were called out to be with Jesus Christ.
He admonished the Bishops not to loose grip of the instruction to follow Jesus, and warned that the desire for the mundane had made many church leaders to miss the ultimate agenda of the gospel, which is salvation.
Archbishop Akinola announced to the congregation that the consecration was historic because the Church was sending out her 1st missionary Bishop to Congo.
The Primate said the latest action of the Church to send missionaries around Africa was in line with the biblical injunction to send out disciples to all nations.
He revealed that more clergymen would be sent out on missionary expedition around the continent, toward achieving a massive harvest of souls for the kingdom.
Among the dignitaries who attended the service were the Primate of the Province of Congo, the Most Rev Diropka Fidelle, the former Primate of the Anglican Church, the Most Rev Abiodun Adetiloye, traditional rulers and top ranking government officials.

CHURCH RECEIVES SUPPORT ON HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN

CHURCH RECEIVES SUPPORT ON HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN

CONN/691005
ABUJA, OCTOBER 20, 2005-The campaign by the Anglican Communion in the country to stem the HIV/AIDS Pandemic has received a boost with a grant of N2.5 million.
The support was secured from ENHANSE, an NGO, to enable the church prosecute its public enlightenment and education programmes on the pandemic.
Venerable Dr. Christian Ebisike, director of social welfare in the church, received the award on behalf of the Anglican Communion at a recent ceremony held in Abuja.
He said that more training programmes would be organized for the bishops in different provinces of the church in the country.
``Our target is to empower the 93 Anglican bishops in Nigeria, who would lead the campaign to train clergy and laity in their dioceses, to actively respond in a Christian approach in combating the pandemic,'' he said.

Ebisike noted that the mission statement of the church shows there is a need to strive toward a future generation that would live in a world free from HIV/AIDS.
Church of Nigeria delegation receiving the award from Polly Punford of USAIDS
The grant would best serve that purpose and assist the church, he said.
The clergyman stated that since 2004, the church's four-year strategic plan and policy document on HIV/AIDS had been faithfully implemented, with emphasis on prevention, voluntary counselling, testing and creation of awareness.
The Anglican Church was one of the nine organizations that received the award during the programme.
The Chief of Programme of ENHANSE, Dr Jerome Mafebi, said at the ceremony that the project, which would run for five years, would cost about 19.2 million dollars.
The nine organizations selected for year one funding were awarded a total grant of N24.6 million.
They are expected to contribute N12.5 million as counterpart fund, bringing the total cost of the project to N37.2 million.
ENHANSE project aims to create, strengthen and support an enabling environment necessary for a successful social sector and HIV/AIDS and TB programmes in the country. It supports civil society organizations, faith based groups and multiplier organizations through grant, and linking health and education civil society partners.
The project cost was provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that has been assisting the government of Nigeria in the area of policy development.
The granting process that led to the award of the grant to the Anglican Church opened in 2004, after ENHANSE solicited for indication of interests from research institutions, universities, government agencies and organizations with national outlook.
A total of 423 concept papers were received and processed. Of this number, 26 were finally selected to be developed into full proposals for consideration and possible funding.
Series of workshops and screenings finally produced nine organizations, which will access ENHANSE grant for the first year.
The recipients include Safe Motherhood Partners, Jos, Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Nigerian HIV/AIDS Research Network Abuja, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives and the Civil Society Network on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
Others are the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS, Lagos, Health, Justice, Peace and Development, Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Kaduna and African Regional Health Education Center, Ibadan.
Other members of the Church of Nigeria team present at the presentation were the National HIV/AIDS coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Olatunji, Rev. Sam Akale and Mr Peter Onwubuariri.

Sunday 16 October 2005

Open Letter to Archbishop Robin Eames.

The Most Revd Dr. R.H.A. Eames
Primate of All Ireland
Archbishop of Armagh

Dear Robin,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have noted with profound sadness your recent pronouncements in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Connecticut about the actions of the Church of Nigeria. I was surprised by the harsh tone of your remarks and also that you have chosen to address me personally in a remarkably one-sided conversation through the media. You have always been the one to advocate careful, mutual listening and I wonder about the reason for this sudden change of behaviour. Since, however, you have chosen a public forum for your remarks I will respond accordingly.
Let me say again that the recent actions of the Church of Nigeria were not the “preemptive strike” of a single voice but rather the deliberate, prayerful and unanimous action of the more than 800 members of our General Synod. It was, and is, our intention to make clear our commitment to the faith once delivered to the Saints as expressed in historic Anglicanism and its traditional formularies at a time when these understandings are being challenged and distorted. If you read our recent statements more carefully you will see that we are not making up our own faith nor are we asking others to submit to our own interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. We have made it clear that if others choose to redefine the Faith that we once held in common, and walk alone they will do so without us because we will not, we dare not, follow them. Your comments about a ‘Provincial only’ view of the Faith are precisely what we are seeking to avoid, whereas that is exactly what your friends in ECUSA are seeking to impose upon the rest of the Communion.
It might also be helpful to remind you that in this era of ‘post colonial Anglicanism’ our primary commitment is not to an institution or structure, no matter how beloved or historic, but rather to the living Word of our living God. The actions that we have taken and the changes that we have made are for the best interest of our Church and not for any personal agenda.
It is reported that you, without citing specifics, are ‘quite certain’ that some of us have been bought. I have always had great respect for you and considered you a friend and a great leader of our Communion but such irresponsible accusations are outrageous, uncharitable and untrue. If you have any evidence of such financial inducements I challenge you, in the name of God, to reveal them or make a public apology to your brother Primates in the Global South for this damaging and irresponsible smear. I have always made it clear that there is no price-tag on my head – I am not a slave to anyone – I have been set free by the blood of the One who died for us all.
I must also respond to your misleading comments about our constitutional provision to establish Convocations and Chaplaincies outside of Nigeria. As you well know such a provision has long been the tradition in Europe. I wonder why it is acceptable for one part of the Communion and not for the other – perhaps the yoke of imperialism still survives?
Our intention is merely to extend pastoral care and Episcopal oversight to those of our people, and others who share the same commitment to our historic faith but who are geographically separated from us. I well remember the careful language of the Dromantine Communiqué – we are not initiating a “cross-boundary intervention” - you know that this effort was well underway when we met together and we all agreed that it, and similar expressions of pastoral concern, were to be preserved not abandoned. Our action is not an expression of ‘frustration, bewilderment or alienation’ but rather a demonstration of true ‘bonds of affection’ for which we make no apology.
Finally, I was astonished by your declaration that ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada have satisfied the requirements of the Windsor Report. I note that you acknowledge that this is merely your personal view but where is your evidence? In our Dromantine Communiqué we said that “there remains a very real question about whether the North American churches are willing to accept the same teaching on matters of sexual morality as is generally accepted elsewhere in the Communion,” and that because of this, “the underlying reality of our communion in God the Holy Trinity is obscured, and the effectiveness of our common mission severely hindered.” [12] I have seen no change in this and no willingness to fully embrace Lambeth 1.10 as our current agreement on matters of human sexuality – as you know this is the underlying assumption of the Windsor Report.
I was present in Nottingham for the recent ACC meeting and heard both Presiding Bishop Griswold and Archbishop Hutchinson, and their teams, try to justify their innovations. They failed. They made clear that there is no turning back and they did so with little or no reference to the plain teaching of the Holy Scriptures or the devastation that their actions have brought on us all.
While I am grateful that “regret” has been expressed and a temporary moratorium on Episcopal consecrations has been established, same-sex blessings continue to be authorized in some dioceses in both Provinces. And we all know that this is no more than a brief cessation of provocative actions and that no permanent change of mind is intended.
Robin, I do agree with you that the path ahead of us is difficult to predict but your statements have added to our problems. One thing is sure the Church of Nigeria remains committed to the abiding truth of God’s Word and the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our earnest desire is to see the torn fabric of our beloved Anglican Communion restored and we continue to work to that end. I pray that you still share a similar commitment. Be assured that our only goal is to witness to the unique message of salvation in Christ that can transform the lives of all those in need.
Sincerely,
Signed
+ Peter Abuja

Sunday 2 October 2005

National Ecumenical Centre dedicated in Abuja

National Ecumenical Centre dedicated in Abuja

CONN/651005

Thousands of people attended the dedication service of the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, the symbol of unity of Christendom in Nigeria, on Sunday, October 2, 2005.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Most Rev Peter Akinola presided at the service.


Eve of the dedication, the Primate (with tie) flanked by senior members of CAN, during an inspection visit The Ecumenical Centre, a magnificent edifice, built by an Italian firm, Gitto Construction Company would serve as a national monument.

The project which started some 16 years ago was comatose for many years but reactivated as a priority of a new CAN leadership elected into office in 2004 with Archbishop Akinola as president. They organized a Completion Committee and in May 2004, realized over N3 billion in donations and pledges at a fund raise for the completion of the abandoned Ecumenical Centre.

Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo was invited to serve as treasurer of the Completion Committee.

National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja During the launch in 2004, President Obasanjo wittingly told donors ‘please let no one come and make a pledge he is not willing to redeem,’

“If you do that here, God will not hold you guiltless, because we are here to build the house of God. Don't try that here, don't pledge and not fulfill, Obasanjo said”

At the dedication held on October 2, to commemorate the nation’s 45th independence anniversary, Worshippers from all walks of life filled up the pews at the magnificent edifice.

Cross-sectional view of few of the thousands inside the new worship centre.
Thousands overflowed outside the auditorium and organizers provided large television screens and canopies to ensure that none missed the dedication service.

The event was transmitted live on National TV’ and radio Stations around the country to an estimated 50 million participants

The Ecumenical centre elegantly sits behind the Central Bank of Nigeria, along the Central Business District Area, Abuja.

Nestled near it are the National Mosque and the National Cultural Centre, under construction, all in the Central business district of the nation’s capital city.

Fuel, Corruption and Politics
The dedication of the Ecumenical Centre also marked the commemorative service of the nation’s 45th independence.
In a sermon, the President of the Christian body called attention to the recurring issues of fuel scarcity, corruption and politics.
Addressing the handling of the fuel issue by the President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akinola said government must go beyond rhetoric and solve the problem.
Government should no longer increase fuel prices without first "providing functional and affordable public transportation system” Akinola said.
“You can sell a litre of petrol for even N200 but if the mass transit system is there, there should be no public outcry. Those who can afford it will buy. But now, there is nothing on ground to assist the poor masses,” he said.
On corruption, Akinola, who is also Primate of the Anglican Church, remarked that the present war against corruption must go beyond the current level that appears superficial and inadequate.
The war against corruption should be waged "more comprehensively, decisively and totally.”
We must arrest and prosecute, get the judiciary to jail all the ‘jailables’, arrest all the ‘arrestables’, who continue to trouble Nigeria. So far, we have seen some arrests and prosecution but have not seen anybody sent to jail. Justice delayed, it is said, is justice denied. All the ‘jailables’ must be jailed. Enough is enough for corruption in the land, he said."
On politics in the country, Akinola warned that it has become satanic and is characterised by so much bitterness and bickering.
“People are now being killed because of politics,” the Cleric screamed.
He, therefore, called on Christians in politics, to profess the identity of Christ as revealed in the summary of the law: “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Unity in Christ
The Primate exchanging pleasantries with Prophet Gabriel Fakeye, Leader, Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement. The CAN leader also used the occasion, to encourage greater unity among the Christian fold in Nigeria, with her hundreds of large denominations and multitudes of smaller ones. “Just Look at us!” he said to a thunderous applause as worshippers looked round and became aware that the denominational barrier was not visible.
“But this house shall also be the most visible symbol of Christian unity in Nigeria. I tell you, throughout the whole world, there is no other place, in which the Christian people including my brethren from the Roman Catholic Church all come together and build a place they can jointly call their own. There is none. Only in Nigeria, do we have this”

Presidential Support
Earlier, Akinola had acknowledged President Obasanjo's commitment to the building of the Centre, which had been stalled by bickering among Christians for more than two decades.
He revealed that President had to guarantee a N614 million loan taken by CAN when the project was about to be stalled this year.
He extolled the commitment shown by Mr. President for the project, which involved coming to the site several times to ensure its completion.
CAN would consider a "request from high quarters" to change the name of the Centre, which is described as the most visible symbol of Christian unity in Nigeria, Akinola said.

Quotes at the historic dedication of the National Ecumenical Centre
Abp. Akinola and other ministers on the ‘Revolving marble altar’
At exactly 11.55am on Sunday October 2, 2005, the following pronouncement was made by Archbishop Peter Akinola:
“I, Peter Akinola, by Divine Providence the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on behalf of all the Christian faithful at home and abroad. “Do hereby set apart, hallow and dedicate this National Ecumenical Centre as a House of prayer for all people and an instrument of unity of all Christians in Nigeria and we hereby pronounce, decree and declare the said centre to be so dedicated and set apart for all profane and ungodly uses. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

On the holiness and sanctity of the Centre, Archbishop Akinola:
"Yesterday, I called the Architect and told him; tell the contractors, especially my Italian Friends, from today no more smoking in this house, no more drinking in this house. If you want to smoke you get out, this house has been dedicated to the glory of God.”

Reading the first lesson from 1 Kings 8:22-30, Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo substituted the word ‘Nigeria’ for ‘Israel’ in the last verse:
And harken, thou to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Nigeria (Israel). When they pray toward this place; yea, hear thou in heaven they dwelling place, and when thou hearest, forgive

Design and Construction of the National Ecumenical Centre
The Ecumenical Centre was designed and supervised by indigenous Architects, Daky Wall Group led by Wale Olumide.
On the dedication of the Centre on October 2, the Christian Association of Nigeria presented 3 plagues of honour to the Architects that designed the centre, the Italian construction firm and the President Olusegun Obasanjo, for their outstanding contribution.

Archbishop Akinola described the edifice as second to none:
Gitto Construction CEO, Dominica Gitto welcoming the CAN president to the centre. “I have traveled to many parts of the world, I have gathered photographs of great Cathedrals of the world and there is none like this one.”
"The work that has been done on this building in the last 12 months is 98 per cent more than all the work we did here in 15 years and so like the Psalmist we can echo Psalm 147:1. Unless the Lord builds the House it builders labour in vain.’ It shall be a House of Prayer, a House of Unity, our differences whatsoever our own making. The unity of the Church shall determine the unity of the nation. "