Anglican faithful from the various churches making up the Diocese on the Niger and beyond, on Friday, converged on All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State, to celebrate the 160th celebration of the consecration of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first Bishop on the Niger.
The commemoration event reflected on the life and legacy of the late Bishop Crowther, who brought Christianity to the region and made huge sacrifices, driving the wheels of the Christian Missionary Society, CMS in 1857, to launch Nigeria into the orbit of civilization.
It had commenced with a march past, Gideon march by groups and organizations in the churches, before a college of bishops proceeded on a courtesy visit to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe.
Among the prelates at the carnival-like event, were the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba; the Archbishop, Province on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexandar Ibezim,; the host bishop, the Right Reverend Owen Nwokolo of the Diocese on the Niger; retired Bishop on the Niger, the Right Reverend Ken-Sandy Okeke; amongst other Bishops who came from far and near to be part of the historic celebration.
At the All Saints Cathedral field, there was a presentation of a historic drama on how the missionaries came to Onitsha, through canoe and brought the gospel to the land of Onitsha and the subsequent abolition of culture that forbids twins and other obnoxious practices.
Thereafter, the Bishops and the entire congregation paid homage to the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, as part of the activities of the day.
Speaking at Ime Obi, the Onitsha monarch’s palace, Archbishop Ndukuba, who was represented by Most Reverend Emmanuel Egbunu of the Lokoja Diocese, lauded the Obi for accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ brought by the late Ajayi Crowther and his co-missionaries, who came to Onitsha 160 years ago, and brought light to the community.
According to him, the gospel and other progress achieved by the Diocese, are still changing lives and society to date.
In his remarks, Archbishop Ibezim appealed to the traditional ruler to throw his weight behind the church, adding that the church needs greater support of the community at this time, to fulfill its mission of showing the light of the message of Christ to the society.
While presenting a portrait to Igwe Achebe to mark the visit, the host bishop Nwokolo, explained that the event was to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the late Ajayi Crowther to bring the message of salvation to Onitsha and people of the Diocese.
According to him, the Niger Diocese is advancing the frontiers of faith in Christ Jesus through evangelism and other activities that have changed the lives of the people of Onitsha, acknowledging the support of the Onitsha community towards the work of evangelism.
Responding, Igwe Achebe told the story of how Bishop Crowther was received in Onitsha by the then Igwe Akazue and given a site where the Niger Mission started.
He, however, said the church and communities must work together to fight injustice and inequalities and strive to promote peace and societal development.
