By Obinna F. Nwachukwu, Abuja

The 2024 second session of the Eleventh Synod of the Diocese of Mbaise Anglican Communion is billed to hold at the Immanuel Anglican Church Amumara, Ezinihitte Mbaise from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th May, 2024.
Among dignitaries expected to grace the event are, Imo state Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, his predecessor in Office His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sir Emeka Ihedioha, Executive Director with Fidelity Bank Plc Sir Stanley Amuchie

Other dignitaries include, the Chief Executive Officer Igwebuike Foundation Dr. Felix Enogwe, Sir Chibu Enwereuzo, members of the Council of Knights, Synod delegates drawn from the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese, Bishops and Archbishops from other Dioceses and prominent sons and daughters of Amumara, the host community

In a statement issued by the Synod Planning Committee led by Sir Chidi Madugba it said the theme of the 2024 Synod is “The Perils of Over Confidence’ taken from 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 12 of the Holy Bible.
Highlights of the Synod according to the planning Committee include;  Bible Study, Presidential Address by the Diocesan, Rt. Rev Chamberlain Ogunedo, consideration and approval of reports from the Diocesan Board, the Archdeaconries, Parishes and statutory committees of the Diocese, Bishop’s courtesy call on the traditional rulers of Amumara, as well as cutting of the Synod cake.

The last day being Sunday 26th May will witness Synod Thanskgiving Service and Launching of a N100million Diocesan project support fund and return of Synod Torch.

In the Anglican Church, Synod is the highest governing and legislative meeting of the 3 Houses in the Diocese, namely, – The House of Bishop, The House of Clergy and The House of Laity. The Synod delegates discuss and take decisions on doctrine where there is an issue, on administration and governance of the Diocese and parishes. Synod delegates also discuss matters of the nation and the land which have effects on the church and the people.

Research findings show that constitutionally, the quorum for synod include, The Diocesan Bishop representing the House of Bishop,  the clergy of the Diocese representing the House of Clergy and elected, appointed and nominated lay members representing the House of Laity. The Diocesan Bishop is the only member in the Diocese representing the House of Bishop. All other invited Bishops present at the Synod including those invited to preach and lead Bible Study cannot be included in the roll call of the House of Bishop of that Synod. If the Diocese has Suffragan Bishops then they join with their Diocesan Bishop in the House of Bishop. The Diocesan Bishop presents a special Address during Synod which is called Bishop’s Charge or Presidential Address since the Bishop is the President of Synod.

The Bishop’s Charge or Presidential Address normally has these essential contents which are, Synod Prayer , Bible Exposition on the Theme of the Synod, Discourse and remarks on worthy local, national and global issues, Report of the progress made in the Diocese, Highlight of challenges within the Diocese and possible direction on how to handle them as well as projections into the future of the Diocese

The Anglican Diocese of Mbaise, Imo State is one of 12 within the Anglican Province of Owerri, itself one of 14 provinces within the Church of Nigeria.  

The diocese was inaugurated on 30 November 1992, the inaugural bishop being Rt Rev Cyril Chukwuka Anyanwu who died in 1999, and was succeeded by Rt Rev Bright Joseph Egemasi Ogu. The current bishop Rt Rev Chamberlain Chinedu Ogunedo was consecrated Bishop on 21 February 2010.  He ascended to the Episcopal throne of Mbaise at his enthronement on Sunday 28th of February, 2010.
Rt  Rev chamberlain was made a deacon in1998 and priested in 1999 by His Lordship Rt. Rev (Prof.) Augustine Iwuagwu.

He  became a Canon in the year 2002 by Rt Rev Prof. Augustine Iwuagwu and collated an Archdeacon in the year 2008 by His Grace, Most Rev Ugochukwu Uwaoma Ezuoke. 

Before his election as the Bishop of Mbaise in January, 5th   2010, he had served variously as Chaplain to the Bishops of Aba, Rt Rev Prof Augustine Iwuagwu and Rt Rev Ugochukwu Ezeoke respectively and was occupying the position of Archdeacon on Special Duties of the Diocese of Aba during the bishopric of Most Rev Ugochukwu Uwaoma Ezuoke at the time of his election.

Rt Rev Chamberlain Chinedum Ogunedo is an astute Theologian, an Evangelical Maestro, a visionary leader, a seasoned Administrator, a distinguished academia, a teacher of the word and a prayer warrior. He is committed to service and believes strongly in decency, transparency and accountability. He is the Patron of Anglican Youth Fellowship Nigeria and Grand Patron of the Boys and Girls Brigade Nigeria – Mbaise Joint Council.
His tenure has witnessed great improvements in both spirituality and infrastructural development in the Diocese

Rt Rev Ogunedo is married to Mrs. Oluchi Uloma Ogunedo and the marriage is blessed with  Godly children

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has sent out a message of congratulations to Muslims in Nigeria for the successful end of 30 days Ramadan fast.

He also wished them all the blessings as they celebrate the feast of Eid El Fitri.

Akpabio’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh.

“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and indeed the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I heartily rejoice with all the Muslims in Nigeria as they join their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate Eid El Fitri.

“I wish all of you a peaceful and sweet celebration and pray the Almighty God to grant your heart desires”.

The Senate President urged Muslims to continue to offer prayers for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria saying, “Islam is a religion of peace and if its adherents go to God in prayer with sincerity, He will surely answer.

“I therefore ask you to pray for your leaders and the peace and unity of our dear country. I believe with your prayers, Nigeria will overcome its current challenges.

“Wherever you find yourselves, radiate the peace that Islam preaches and the love and care for the less privileged that Prophet Muhammad exemplified”

***Preaches Peaceful Coexistence, Unity.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

SULTAN of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has urged Nigerians to pray for their leaders rather than curse them as he tasked them on unity and peaceful coexistence for the growth and development of Nigeria.

Sultan Abubakar made the call on Saturday in Lokoja while inaugurating the “Alhaji Abdullahi Habib Memorial Mosque”, at Federal University Lokoja (FUL), built and donated by a widow, Dr Maimuna Abdullahi.

The Sultan who was represented by the Emir of Keffi, HRH Shehu Chindo-Yamusa said that as patriotic citizens, “We should fervently pray for our leaders and not curse them so that they don’t go astray to our detriment as a nation.

“We should learn to always respect our leaders and the rule of law for the nation to have a direction for better living.

“This edifice or place of worship (sitting on 150m x 250 expanse of land) is built and donated by a family that loves God and desires for others to know and worship Him for their wellbeing.

“It’s my prayer that God will handsomely reward the Habib family and give others the passion and zeal to do same for the benefit of mankind”, he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the University described the inauguration of the mosque as a historic moment in the annals of the institution.

He expressed the hope that the mosque would serve as “a testament to our shared commitment to knowledge, compassion and service to humanity.”

“The commissioning of the mosque today is but a historic moment in the annals of this university, and the Muslim community will observe daily religious obligations that will foster the unity of all faiths in the university.

“Quran chapter 57 verse 18 says: “For those who give in charity, men, and women, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward”

“This explains the circumstance of Dr Memuna Abdullahi our benefactor, who in her wisdom, decided to build and donate this mosque in memory of her late husband, Squadron Leader Abdullahi Habib.

“I remain grateful to God Almighty that this project was initiated and completed under my tenure in the University. May God continue to bless the family of the donor for finding Federal University Lokoja worthy of this gesture”, Akinwumi said.

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), In his Keynote address, commended the family of the donor saying that the importance of the donated Jumaat Mosque in an University environment could not be over emphasized.

Represented by the Director of Legal Services of the organization, Abdulwahap Oyedokun, the JAMB Registrar said that the gesture would benefit the University community tremendously as it would go a long way in impacting useful knowledge and enhance “spiritual moulding.”

For the donor, Dr Abdullahi, the Mosque was a dream come true as it was the wish of her late husband who died on the 31st of October, 2021 leaving the instruction for her and the children to accomplish.

She disclosed that the mosque was the third and biggest of the three mosques the family has so far built and donated in Kogi as the family’s own way of giving back to God and the society.

“Today, we have have equally donated 75 copies of Qur’an to this very mosque located in FUL as our gesture in the service of God.

“This gesture is just the beginning and not an end to our resolve as a family in serving the Almighty God”, she said. (Ends)