PRESS RELEASE - DISCLAIMER- Davis Mac- Iyalla

PRESS RELEASE - DISCLAIMER- Davis Mac- Iyalla

The general public is hereby warned of the activities of a person who goes by the name of Davis (David) Mac Iyalla. He claims to be a homosexual member of the Anglican Church but extensive searches revealed that he is NOT registered in any of our over 10,000 local parishes as of the past two years. None of our over 6000 priests recognise him as an active member in any of their parishes.
He has finally been traced to be the same person who defrauded the then dying Bishop of Otukpo under the guise of marrying his daughter. Iyalla then closed down his own C & S church and took up an appointment with his then proposed father–in-law from whom he fraudulently obtained some church documents. On the death of the bishop mid 2003, Iyalla broke off the engagement and made away with large sums of money including salaries due to some staff. Since then, he has not been seen in Otukpo where he is wanted by the Police. He claims he was sacked and victimised for his homosexuality and uses that guise to further defraud unsuspecting foreigners.
Anyone relating to Davis (David) Mac Iyalla does so at his or her own risk.
Though some misguided Churches especially in the Americas and lately in the UK have deviated from the Biblical teaching that homosexuality is highly displeasing to the creator God, The Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion) together with many faithful Anglicans worldwide continue to see the practice as an aberration that God can and has been delivering willing people from.
The Church of Nigeria wishes to emphasise that she continues to minister to all her members regardless of the problems they face. Our Priests are adequately trained to counsel and pray with all manner of persons who go to them for help.
Related Link - Warnings about fraudsters

The Lord bless you as you remain steadfast and faithful in Christ.

The Rev. Canon AkinTunde Popoola
Director of Communications
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Primate's Office, 24 Douala Street, Wuse Zone 5,
Box 212 ADCP, Abuja, FCT., Nigeria.

Office: +234 [0]9 523 6950/ 0987/ 0989 Fax: 09 523 1527
Mobile: +234 [0]802 342 0161 [0]805 800 1382
E-mail: communicator1@anglican-nig.org, communicator1nig@yahoo.com

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE NATION

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE NATION
December 23, 2005
As we celebrate another Christmas, we thank God for all His mercies towards us as individuals and as a nation. The main reason for joy and celebration is that at the fullness of time, God sent to us His only begotten Son to deliver us from our sins. Christ came into the world at a time such as this to give us joy, peace and eternal life.
Christmas means different things to different people. For many, it is a time to buy and sell; for others, it is party, picnics or holiday period when they eat special meals. For such at best it is a Christless Christmas, celebrating a feast they know nothing about the one behind the feast.
Looking at our lives and our nation today, we can say that Prophet Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 29:13 aptly describes us when he said:

“These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me; teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”.
Christmas is the time Christians in a special way commemorate the incarnation; prayerfully appropriate it’s import and diligently study Him in scripture “Christ in you the hope of glory”.
Christmas essentially reminds us of God’s sacrificial love and self emptying to reconcile us to Himself. Without accepting this truth, we have no business in this celebration. The joy and peace that comes with Christmas does not depend on the size of our bank accounts or material possessions but from God’s redeeming love and grace. Therefore, the greatest gift God has given to us is His son who came to die for us to redeem us from the slavery of sin. He is the reason for the season. As we celebrate, we should not allow other things to overshadow this fact.
This season gives us the opportunity to re-examine our lives and change our ways. The successes of the recent War against Corruption in our nation should serve as a warning to all those yet to be apprehended, that it is no longer business as usual. As we celebrate, let us keep in focus the theme of repentance, reconciliation and healing in our minds. Let us humble ourselves and confess our sins to God.
We must not forget the needy in our midst. Due to a number of factors many have been made homeless; many are not sure of the next meal and as they look around, all they can see is a bleak future. Let us remember the downtrodden because Christmas is a time for giving. The Wise-men brought their best but Christ showed that the gift of self will out-give all the rest. Christmas is also a time of healing. Let us take steps as individuals and as a nation to do all we can to bring about reconciliation and healing in families and the nation.
As we celebrate this Christmas, let us remember the reason for the season, and keep on saying with the Angels…”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men”.

The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, CON, DD.
Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
And the National President, Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN)

Anglicans mourn Bishop Ereaku

Anglicans mourn Bishop Ereaku

CONN/821205
Abuja, Dec. 14, 2005- The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is in a state of mourning after the death of a young enterprising and evangelical Bishop.

Laudamus Atushiaka Ereaku, 52, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Bauchi died on Monday 5th December, in an automobile accident while on an inter-faith peace programme in the State. The three other occupants of the vehicle including the Islamic Sheikh also died in the accident.

Ereaku, who would have been 53 on January 13 2006, crossed life’s finish line after seven fruitful years as Bishop.

After many years as a very enthusiastic evangelist, he was ordained priest in 1986, collated Canon in 1990, preferred Archdeacon in 1992 and elected Bishop in 1998.

As Bishop of Bauchi, succeeding the Rt. Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, Bishop Ereaku brought his near two decades experience of field evangelism in the Diocese of Abuja to bear in the Muslim-dominated Bauchi State.

In rural health, education and church planting the Diocese of Bauchi flourished under Laudamus Ereaku notwithstanding the challenge of being in a Sharia State.

In 2004, Silver Drum, a brochure on the Church of Nigeria at 25, commented about the Diocese of Bauchi under Bishop Ereaku: “The diocese has pursued vigorously the vision of the Church in the provision of social welfare to the rural community such as the establishment of Rural Health Clinic. The Church has opened the Diocesan Health Clinic at Sara in Tafawa Balewa Area.”

“He was like a Son to me”, said Archbishop Peter Akinola, Primate of the Anglican Church, recollecting Ereaku’s days of labour as a field evangelist for several years in the Diocese of Abuja. His last posting in Abuja was as Vicar of St James Church Asokoro from where he was elected Bishop of Bauchi in 1998.

Archbishop of Jos Province, the Most Rev Emmanuel Mani eulogized the late Bishop as ‘a good singer, a good preacher, a good evangelist and a wonderful family man.”

“As Episcopal treasurer of the Province of Jos, Bishop Ereaku distinguished himself as a trustworthy fellow, he will be greatly missed”, Archbishop Mani said.

Bishop Ereaku attended Egbu Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School Egbu Owerri- , Institute of Management Technology Enugu, College of Science and Technology Portharcourt and Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan and Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Bukuru, Jos.

He was married to Ngozi and blessed with 6 Children – 2 boys and 4 girls. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

Translate Experiences to Action, Akinola Urges Church’s Provincial HIV Coordinators

Translate Experiences to Action, Akinola Urges Church’s Provincial HIV Coordinators

CONN/811205
Abuja, December 13, 2005- The Most Rev Peter Akinola has urged Provincial HIV/AIDS Coordinators of the Church, who attended the just concluded International Conference on Aids and Other Sexual Transmitted Diseases in Africa (ICASA 2005) to translate their experiences into action when they return to their various dioceses.

Receiving the delegates at the Episcopal House Abuja, the Primate said given the amount of resources dissipated in organizing the conference, the Church must blaze the trail in tackling the issues at hand which is to bring succor to those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.

Akinola, who was represented by the General Secretary of the Church Venerable Oluranti Odubogun said in spite of the awareness already generated on HIV/AIDS more needs to be done for those living with the disease.

“Quite a lot of resources are spent on people coming together, training, conferencing and discussing the issue, he said, and alleged that a “significant proportion of resources that is not enough to combat the scourge is being spent on traveling, hotel accommodation and others.”

The General Secretary also questioned the rationale of organizing ‘unending’ international symposia on HIV/AID while the main issue of caring and supporting persons living with the virus receives little attention.

Let the movement of people be geared towards actually tackling the problems,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of Social Welfare of the Church, Ven. Christian Ebisike stressed that one good thing the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) has achieved is to further break the silence on the reality of HIV/AIDS.

The sizable representation of the Anglican Church at this international conference should covey the seriousness we as a church attach to this scourge, said Ven. Ebisike.

The list of Anglican delegates to ICASA include: Ven Dr Christian Ebisike (National Officer) , Mr. Emmanuel Olatunji (National Officer), Rev Sam Akale (National Officer), Mr. Pita-Pita Akparnata (Kubwa -Abuja Province), Rev Gabriel Hundu (Makurdi-Abuja Province), Mrs. Ojapa (Lokoja-Abuja Province ), Rev. Ferdinand Mbalisi (Owerri Province ), Rev Nelson Adewole (Ekiti-Oke- Ondo Province), and Rev Cyprian Nwankwo (Awka-Province on the Niger).

Others are Mrs. Wankasi Helen (Niger-Delta West- Niger-Delta Province), Rev Timothy Adeleye (Igbomina- Ibadan Province), Ven. G.O.A. Akinyele ( Ibadan North – Ibadan Province), Rev John Danbaba (Kebbi- Kaduna Province), Ven. Gospel Umukoro (Ughelli-Bendel Province), Rev Engr. Jeffery (Ideato-Owerri Province), Rev. Emmanuel Adekoya (Lagos Province) and Rev Noel Bewarang (Jos Province)

Evangelism: Missionary diocese of Western Izon maps out 117 communities for church planting

Evangelism: Missionary diocese of Western Izon maps out 117 communities for church planting

CONN/781205
Abuja, Dec.6, 2005- The Anglican Communion, which has an ambitious project to double its size to 36 million by 2007, has mapped out 117 riverine communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, for church planting beginning from 2006.
Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Western Izon, the Rt. Rev Edafe Emamezi announced this during his maiden Episcopal tour to Isampou Archdeaconry located in Bayelsa state.
The Bishop also disclosed that by December 2006, the diocese was targeting the ordination of 35 clergy to support the enormous work in the 4-month old diocese.
Western Izon, the 92nd Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has only 4 priests and 20 church workers supervising services and pastoring the present 41 churches.
The Bishop said the identified 117 communities are located within riverine communities of Bayelsa and Delta states.
“There are no Anglican churches in these areas and these are serious areas that need urgent evangelization,” he said.
The Church of Nigeria since the presentation of Archbishop Peter Akinola as Primate in 2000, has been pursuing an aggressive establishment of more churches under the mission project tagged Mission 1-1-3.
At the core of the project is multiplication of membership and planting of more churches at the grassroots level. It is hoped that the growth will also reflect in the spirituality of members.
In other words, the Diocese of Western Izon which inherited 41 churches from the ‘mother’ Diocese of Warri is expected to grow to 82 dioceses by 2007 or even more.
According to the 54-year old Bishop ‘the work in Western Izon is enormous and indigenes of the area and others who have a genuine call to work in Ijaw-land (Izon means Ijaw) have been invited to come forward and register their interest’.
The 2-day Episcopal tour, which took the Bishop, his wife and members of his pastoral team around 12 riverine communities provided an opportunity for the church to appreciate the realities of the Niger Delta communities and the extent of ecological disaster resulting from oil exploration activities.
For instance, at the Holy Trinity Church Bulu-Ndoro in Bayelsa State, the missionaries and the indigenes gathered under a wooden Church building staked on a dangerous swampy ground for worship.
“When it rains it is difficult to imagine how people worship here with a massive river located 50 meters away from it,” said one of the visitors.
Similarly, in Agboro community, where the Bishop and his entourage passed a night, the officials of the community complained that some children died recently of complications resulting from drinking polluted water.
While pledging his commitment to forward the communities complaints to the appropriate quarters, Bishop Emamezi urged the faithful not to loose hope as “God is able to restore the fortunes and resources of the Niger Delta community.”
Other communities visited by the Cleric were St Luke's Isampou, St Peters Ekeremo, St Michael's Peretorugbere, St Philips Ogbotogbo, and St. James Agboro.
Also visited were the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Bolou Ndoro, St Philips Church Toru-Ndoro, Our Redeemers Church Akorugbene, Anglican Church Ojobo, St Peters Torugbene, St Barnabas Tanugbe and St Paul's Tuomo.

Anglican Church to boost fish farming in Ogbotobo community

Anglican Church to boost fish farming in Ogbotobo community

CONN/791205
Abuja, Dec.6, 2005- The pioneer Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Western Izon, the Rt. Rev Edafe Emamezi has pledged the commitment of the Anglican Church to collaborate with farmers in Ogbotobo community in Bayelsa to boost fish farming in the area.
The pledge for the collaboration followed a request by the people of the community, whose main livelihood, fishing, was being threatened by ecological damage resulting from oil exploration.
In his maiden Episcopal tour to the area, Bishop Emamezi said the Church would float a Christian based economic empowerment scheme and source resources for beneficiaries.
He spoke about the self-financing vision of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and advised people to be alive to the wake-up call.
The Bishop urged the community to complement the initiative by coming up with a proposal on what they intended to do with the facility to be provided.
Pledging the commitment of the church to work with the Niger-delta community, Emamezi said that the Anglican Church would ensure that the benefit of their God given wealth was restored.
Earlier, a member of the Church, Tuesday Bernard, called for aid for indigenes of the community who had been rendered 'jobless' due to the pollution of their river.
He told Emamezi that Ogbotobo was a blessed community that produced 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
“With this, there ought to be development projects from oil companies and the government but there seems to be spiritual warfare between the agents of darkness and the hand of God in the community,” he said.
He therefore urged the Anglican Church to establish a self-help project that would give a life-line to the faithful in the community.
The community requested that a crusade be held in the area to arrest ” elements of paganism and atheist culture”.
The missionary diocese of Western Izon was inaugurated on Aug. 28, 2005.

Anglican Church Takes HIV/AIDS Campaign to Schools

Anglican Church Takes HIV/AIDS Campaign to Schools

Abuja, Dec. 6 2005- The Anglican Church has taken the campaign to combat the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the Church's owned schools, to remind young people of the need for abstinence and safe health practices.
The Diocese of Abuja, in marking the World AIDS Day, held an education campaign, targeting students of the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Apo in Abuja.
Dr Christian Ebisike, Director Social Welfare of the Church, urged the students to stay away from teenage sex by making the word of God their companion.
“Sex is good but it is meant for married people. Wait for your time when you will be matured enough,'' he said.
He harped on the position of the Anglican Church which he said was sternly opposed to the loud promotion of the use of condom as a preventive measure against HIV/AIDS.
“They are advertising condoms. It is not safe enough. Condoms have disappointed many people," Ebisike said, adding “the greatest cover you can get is to obey the Lord, fear him and let the word of God permeate your lives.”
The wife of the Primate of the Anglican Church, Mrs. Susan Akinola, called for support and care to people living with the virus.
Asking the young girls what they would do if they found out that a close relative was living with HIV/AIDS; Akinola reminded them that the Bible did not allow for a blanket condemnation of those who were infected with AIDS.
“We should respond in a manner that mirrors the heart of God who is not willing that any should perish,'' she said.
Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba, a pharmacist and wife of a clergy in the Diocese of Abuja, gave a lecture on the nature and scope of the HIV/AIDS crisis under the theme, “Stop Aids, Keep the Promise.”
She gave succinct statistics on how the virus had continued to ravage the developing world, quoting a recent report that indicated that 14 million children under 15 years were orphaned by the virus.
She also quoted a recent UNAIDS report which said that three million people had so far died worldwide in 2005 of which about 570,000 were children.
At the end of the presentations, the students held a candle-lit procession around the Chapel of Grace Church Gudu, Apo in Abuja to remember the victims of HIV and AIDS.
The students also interacted with some persons living with the virus who had earlier shared their experiences with the audience that included members of staff, the clergy, church workers and staff of the social welfare department of the Church.
To make active their understanding of the pandemic, the students freely hugged and exchanged addresses with those living with the HIV/AIDS, radiating a Christ-like attitude and compassion.