By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo has urged Christians to emulate Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther as the father of ecumenism after recounting some of his virtues, hoisted his qualities as ideals which christians should genuinely aspire.
Governor Governor gave this charge at All Saints Cathedral during the Sunday mass to mark a three-day historic commemoration of 160 years of the consecration of Samuel Ajayi Crowther as the first Bishop in Africa and the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger
“Crowther lived a life without boundaries, a life that knew no bounds, no discrimination, and lived for others, that is the whole essence that I want to emphasize that we must all take home. Where is the Ajayi Crowther in you as you deal with others?”, the governor queried.
Earlier in his homily during, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba, who was represented by the Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, His Grace, the Most Rev.Dr Emmanuel Egbunu appealed to christians to strive to approximate their lives to that of Ajayi Crowther.
He said that today there is a need for people who will serve like Ajayi Crowther, saying that the reason for which we remember Samuel Ajayi Crowther today is because “That man knew no limits and we need people who will serve like him, for he served without asking for man’s commendations”.
He encouraged christians to be diligent and focused in their christian life praying, “As we celebrate the person like Ajayi Crowther, whose ministry was a ministry of great passion.
In the same vein, the former Governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi, called on every Nigerian to acquire and develop the qualities for which he said Crowther represented.
The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections who spoke through one of his principal aids, Hon Azuka Enemuo, said, “We should all walk in the mould of Bishop Ajayi Crowther.
“We know our nation is in a critical stage. We will always pray that the New Nigeria we seek for will come in our time”, he said.
Bishop Nwokolo in his vote of thanks expressed very deep appreciation to all the guests for attending the anniversary and equally commended his team of ministers and their congregation for collectively making the event a success.
More than 20 Anglican Bishops, 300 priests and over 18,000 diocesan parishioners attended the closing church service.
We would recall that the event which was powered by the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, between Friday June, 28 to Sunday 30 June.
