fashion policies, programmes and the modalities for health...

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

We rejoice and glorify our Almighty God that on Friday November 26, 2010, the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) met at Lokoja for the purpose of electing a new Bishop for the “ancient See on the Niger”. Under the protection of the Almighty God and guidance of the Holy Spirit, His Lordship the Rt. Rev Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo was duly elected Bishop in succession to His Lordship Rt. Rev Ken Sandy Okeke.

Following this election, confirmation and consecration on the 9th of January, 2011 and Enthronement as the 6th Bishop on the Niger, on 1st March, 2011, Bishop Owen Nwokolo embarked on a familiarization tour to the ten Archdeaconries of the Diocese from 11th to 31st March 2011.

The essence of the tour was for fact-finding, consultation and to see the leaders and committees of the churches across the Diocese. To appreciate them and encourage them as they labour for the Kingdom of God. In the course of this visit, it became obvious that there were numerous challenges and fallow grounds that need urgent attention.

The questions, comments and suggestions of the congregation were quite revealing and calls for a renewed vision for the church to address relevant issues that had agitated the minds of the churches. These issues, howbeit, are very challenging and serve as the pivot on which the development and mission of the church in the 21st Century revolves.

The Diocese on the Niger has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the last ten years, in the area of Mission and Evangelism that gave birth to the three Missionary Dioceses of Ogbaru, Niger-West and Mbamili. The continuous support enjoyed by these missionaries from the Diocese and the spiritual growth of both the clergy and the lay speak volumes of the exploits of the Diocese. The infrastructural growth, clergy training and capacity building are steps in the right direction.

The Bible Study and follow-up materials, ministry to the youth of all cadres and the Diocesan Conference (FRESH MANNA) have no doubt made positive impacts

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on the lives of our people and beyond. Indeed it has helped the Diocese on the Niger to stand out, and maintain her position as “the Mother and nurse of many infant Sees”

We are grateful to God for the labours and ministry of the Most Rev Dr. J. A. Onyemelukwe (now late), and Rt. Rev. Ken Sandy Edozie Okeke, whose contributions to the aforementioned are unassailable. These programmes and ministries are eloquent testimonies of the giant strides the Diocese on the Niger has made in recent times.

All these notwithstanding, there is need for continued emphasis and systematized teaching on prayer, spirituality, Christian commitment, discipleship and maturity, tithing and stewardship. There is also need for vision of numerical explosion – vision of doubling our average church attendance. We need a state of the art Retreat and/or Conference Centre to support Retreat programmes, camps and set-apart events.

There should be formal training of the Clergy in both the traditional theology and pastoral education. Furthermore, the challenge of being a church in a society that is bedeviled with crime, insecurity of life and property, poverty, corruption, religious crisis and political instability is so demanding. So also is the concern for the less privileged, victims of all forms of disaster, disease and violence. The need to be a caring church cannot be overemphasized as it is one way to be a source of light and hope in a dark and hopeless world. We also have a challenge of steming the tide of youth “exodus” from our church by rising up to the 21 st Century realities, while maintaining our Anglican identity

All these and many more, as anticipated from the grassroot during the fact-finding tours, has brought to focus the urgent need for the Diocese on the Niger (Anglican Communion) to review her vision in order to consolidate the gains of the past Episcopacy and accommodate new challenges in the mission field with the view of “breaking fallow grounds”. This will help the church in the present realities to focus on the crucial role she has to “play in preserving the primacy of the scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the Anglican theology and ethos”

To face these challenges and achieve the expected goal, the Diocese needs a very strong financial base that will make her vision realizable. The global economic

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instability notwithstanding, there is need to develop new strategies and methods in raising these needed funds for mission at these challenging times. To respond to these challenges, we must understand the role each individual member of the Diocese need to play because “unity is strength” (IGWEBUIKE). We must also be proactive, by attempting great things for God, as we expect great things from Him”. LUX FIAT!

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CHAPTER TWO

VISIONING PROCESS

The programme started out of the conviction of His Lordship as x-rayed in his enthronement sermon entitled “break-up your fallow ground”. This sermon among other issues, raised challenges that bother on the future of the Anglican Church in the Diocese on the Niger, with the view to ensuring-

* that Anglicans are alive and active

* that Anglicans know Christ and grow in Him

* that Anglicans love our church and are committed to her

* that the children and youths are encouraged to grow and take their stand in the scheme of events in the society

* that every Church in the Diocese on the Niger is encouraged to be actively involved in mission beginning from her immediate environment

* that persons responding to the ordained ministry should have a conviction of their calling and are ready to follow the “due process” of examination and training.

* that the ministries of the laity are encouraged in the mission of the church

* that those who have backslidden and those who left the church are sought after (operation seek the lost)

In pursuing these challenges as presented, His Lordship, Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo, has a mission “to disciple every child, youth and adult, to be able to serve the Lord sincerely and faithfully and to take their place in the scheme of things in the society”.

The familiarization tour of His Lordship to the ten Archdeaconries of the Diocese, to see things for himself and listen to the people’s feelings and aspirations for the church, brought in contributions of the people from the grass root which formed major inputs to the visioning process. Further more:

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* it will help to revive those organs of the church that are dead as a channel of evangelism.

* it will help to lay solid Anglican foundation in the life of our children and youths as a way of ensuring the future of our Anglican heritage

* it will help to encourage and ensure that Anglicans who desire political offices are supported

* it will help to ensure that Anglican Diocese on the Niger takes her proper place in the scheme of events especially in relation to our sister church.

A total of 120 participants drawn from all strata of the church within the Diocese, which includes – Bishops, Clergy, Legal luminaries, Knights, businessmen, Theologians, women, youths and children teachers were invited to Vision 2020 (Think Tank) Conference. This conference held at Dolly Hills Hotels 3-3 on 19th

and 20th May, 2011, led by the Bishop, Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo, was a brainstorming exercise. During this exercise, two papers were presented viz “Vision and Planning” by Rt. Rev. Ralph Okafor, and “What shall we do, to do the work God requires?” by Rt. Rev Chidi Oparaojiaku. To be able to face the task, these phrases where we are, where we want to be and how to get there, were considered in line with questions put forward to groups. Groups were divided under the following headings:

LITURGY AND WORSHIPQuestions: Is anything wrong with the Anglican system of worship?

How can we recover our Anglican identity through our worship?

How can we make our worship more lively and relevant to the 21st

Century while maintaining our traditions?

In what ways can we bring about Anglican revival, while appreciating our heritage?

MISSION AND EVANGELISMQuestions: How can the Diocese on the Niger respond to Missions and

Evangelism which is the heart beat of the Lord?

How can we in response to the gospel still maintain our Anglican identity?

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Has the Diocese enough local churches, or do we need more? How can these churches be responsive in preparing Christians for heaven?What is the place of commissioned Evangelists and lay-readers in this mission accomplishment?

What other mission areas or needs can we identify to accomplish the mission.

REPORT ON BISHOP’S VISIT AND ENTHRONEMENT SERMON

Questions: Read the report on the Bishop’s familiarization visits

Read also the Bishop’s Enthronement sermon

Identify various issues or needs raised in these reports

In what areas of the Diocese can we identify fallow grounds and how can we break them up?

Articulate our response to the matters arising and state the steps that should be taken to tackle the issues at stake.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH WORK

Questions: There has been a noticeable “exodus” of our youths from our churches. What should be done to stem the tide?

What steps should be taken to enable our various youth organizations to work together as one family?

Have we cared enough for our children considering this slogan “give me a child before he is seven and I will answer for him in heaven”

What can we do to instill Anglican identity amongst our children and youths considering the 21st Century reality?

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT

Questions: What investment opportunities are available to our Diocese to embark on? How can they be achieved?

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How can we possibly achieve the aim of being a self-reliant, self-supporting and self propagating Diocese?

How can the Diocese be endowed to face her financial challenges?

How can the local churches raise enough funds to be relevant and responsive to their immediate challenges without projecting money against the souls of men?

How can the Diocese secure her investments?

COMMUNICATION (BROADCASTING/PRINT MEDIA)

Questions: The 21st Century is an information age, what can the Diocese do in the face of these realities?

How has our Niger Times newspapers responded to the reality of the times, and how can it be repositioned to serve its purpose?

How can the Diocese be responsive to the challenges of communication/ICT and still maintain our calling as a church?

POLITICS AND SEJUP (SOCIETY FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE AND PEACE)

Questions: What are the roles of the Council of laity in protecting and defending the Anglican faith in our State?

SEJUP has done so much so far, recommend areas of improvements and how it should be applied to the Diocese on the Niger

What should be done to make us politically sensitive to issues around us?

EDUCATION

Questions: What can the Diocese do to raise the standard of our schools?X-ray our spiritual and moral impact in our schools and state the way forward.

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Considering the challenges of managing schools, what do we need to do as a Diocese to meet the standard?

WELFARE

Questions: The early church was a caring church. How has the present church in the Diocese on the Niger cared for the welfare need of her members?

Are there further steps that should be taken, in the area of welfare in the Diocese?

What can we do to face the challenges of orphans and people living with disabilities?

The issue of separation, divorce and other ugly aspects of break down in marriages and marriage vows are on the increase. What can the church do to stem the tide?

MEDICALQuestions: How can we as a Diocese face our medical challenges in the face of

21st Century realities?

How can the church minister to the health needs of her members especially in the rural churches?

What has our Diocese/churches done so far to face the challenges of killer disease ravaging our society (HIV/AIDS etc)?

How can the Diocese rise to the challenges of capacity building especially in the area of community health personnel?

Identify other health related needs of the Diocese and the solution thereof.

The group works were discussed at plenary. The documents produced by these “Think Tank” brainstorming exercise were presented to the synod with the view of analyzing the issues raised and coming up with actionable decisions.

To the glory of God, this vision as presented, was debated and finally adopted by the 2nd session of the 28th Diocesan Synod held at Immanuel Church and StStephen’s Church Parishes Inland Town Onitsha between 2nd to 5th June, 2011.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.1 VISION AND PLANNINGSOME READINGS: Neh 1: 1-4; 2: 5, 11-13; 2: 17 -18

Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary defines vision as

1 The ability to see2 An idea or a picture in your imagination3 A dream, or similar experience, especially of a religious kind4 The ability to think about or plan the future with great imagination and

intelligence, - foresight

In our readings in Nehemiah, we can see certain things connected with vision –

1 Enquiry, 1:12 Receiving report, 1: 33 Prayer 1: 44 Personal involvement 2: 55 Further understanding of “what God has put in my heart to do” 2: 11-13 –

Reflection and practical assessment 6 Sharing the vision, 2: 17-18, so it moves from being just Nehemiah’s

vision to being “our vision”

Dan Southerland may be correct when he said in his book Transitioning that “most vision in our churches fail because we do not sell our vision to our congregation”.

Probably in our own case here in the Diocese on the Niger, we may be thinking not only about a general vision for the Diocese, but also seeing what God wants us to do in the special areas of Children’s Work, Youth Work, Women’s Ministries, Men’s Fellowship, etc

Secondly, we may not be talking of a completely new vision, but enlarging or revising what we have already.

Thirdly, we are happy that the framework of the Church of Nigeria vision is there for us

Vision is important, for without it, what are we planning? However, the real work is in planning and implementation

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Take note of this:

- The need to focus on a target group

- Do audience analysis who are in the target group? What kind of people? Age bracket? Their needs? Etc

- Their immediate environment, existing cultural patterns

Planning is not a once-for-all affair. Goals are set and reset

Evaluation needs to be done from time to time

But proper evaluation can’t be done without useful feed-back

All these are useful for good planning

If we are here to map out some planning, then let us ensure that we are equipped with sufficient feed-back

Thanks and God bless

+Raphael, IhialaMay 19, 2011

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3.2. TOPIC: WHAT MUST WE DO TO DO THE WORKS

GOD REQUIRES?

TEXT; JOHN 6:26-31

“Jesus answered them and said, verity, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth. but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might do the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 3°They said therefore unto him, what sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? 31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert: as it is written. He gave them bread from heaven to eat."

Introduction: As a way of introduction, I would like to place these quotations, “Christian community is not just a shared experience. Its not people who sit together in pews or a movie theatre or a football stadium. It is not polite conversation at a potluck or a great weekend together at a Christian camp. Christian community is an ontologically irreducible organism. It is a living reality that is imbued with the spirit of God. It is the very life of the triune God drawing people into a covenanted relationship with God and one another. It is God's own being on earth lived in and through believers for the single result of seeing each person become like Jesus Christ. Thus, the community together is a witness for Christ” (Tod).

Peter Drucker says, "the bottom line of a nonprofit organization is to fulfill its mission to bring about changed human lives.” while Tod added the following, “in the case of a church, the bottom line is changed human lives according to the image of Jesus.”

The whole purpose of church work and life is that people’s lives will be transformed to reflect and reveal Jesus Christ. While religion is highly popular in Nigeria, especially in Igbo land, it is to a large extent superficial, it does not change people’s lives to the degree one would expect from their level of professional faith. Dallas Willard points out:

‘We have counted on preaching and teaching to form faith in the hearer, and on faith to form the inner life and ordered behavior of the Christian. But for whatever reason, this strategy has not turned out well. The result is that we have multitudes of professing Christians that well may be ready to die, but

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obviously are not ready to live, and can hardly get along with themselves, much less others.

The quotation above forms almost both the immediate and remote actions of both the community of people and us in the present time. Jesus had to address these untransformed attitudes of ours that was evidently manifested in those in our text of discussion.

Their real interest in Jesus lies in his feeding their bellies, so that they no longer had to work for their food.

They are so obsessed with the material world that they are not able to see that the blessing which God is offering them is not on that level at all. It is food that endures to eternal life (vs 27), the gift of the Son of man whom God Himself has affirmed on Him, God the Father has placed His seal of approval (vs 27)

PARADIGM SHIFT OF MOTIVE

Man’s deepest hunger within are both the physical and the spiritual. He hungers for both food and material things and for God and spiritual things, such as love, joy and peace. Therefore, most of man’s time and energy are spent in seeking to satisfy his hunger.

RESPONSE TO MAN’S GREAT HUNGER

→ (Vs 22-25) Know that man has a great hunger, a great need: the first response to man’s great hunger is to RECOGNIZE the hunger. This hunger is both spiritual, physical, material, financial and emotional.

- They knew and were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah- They noted his absence- They sought Jesus and- They questioned Jesus absence (Rabbi when did you get here?)

→ (Vs 26-27) A knowledge that man’s motive is corrupt: Jesus stressed it with a solemn “attention getter” “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had

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your fill” (Jesus saying, if I remove the loaves from the church, will you still be committed?).

What do loaves represent?

- Small contracts in the church- Group leaderships we occupy- Project committees we head- Titles we receive- Positions we occupy- Honours we receive from church members etc

Usually, man’s motive in seeking the Messiah – in seeking the answer to his problem is often corrupt

1 Man seeks a Messiah (Saviour), but not to worship and serve Him.

2 Man seeks food that spoils. He centres and focuses his thoughts, energies and efforts upon the moment, feelings and pleasures; recognition and honour; position and power; fame and self. St Matthew’s Gospel 6: 31-32, captured it in a more dramatic way when he says, “so do not worry, saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them.”

→ (vs 27) Work for food that endures – that gives eternal life: the basic hunger within man is for

1 An abundant life, a life that is complete and fulfilled, full of love, joy, peace and all the good things of life

2 An eternal life, a life that survives, that is not snatched away, but goes on forever and ever.

3 Jesus is the only one who can give food that lasts forever (1John 6: 33-35)

→ (Vs 28-29) Do the work of God – believe: They missed the point that eternal life is Christ’s gift and were thinking in terms of achieving it by pious works.

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a The people thought in terms of works (plural). They thought that by doing good works they could win the approval and acceptance of God.

There are three groups of people

i There are good people

ii There are bad people

iii There are compromising people

b Jesus corrected the people’s thoughts, their concept of salvation by works. They did not secure the favour of God and were not acceptable to God because of works (plural) rather they receive God’s favour and acceptance because of a work, one simple work (singular). The work of God is only one; believe – in the one he has sent (John 2: 23; Gal 2: 16)

THE SEEING BEFORE BELIEVING GENERATION

“So they asked him, “what miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?

+Chidi Ohaji/Egbema20th May, 2011

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3.3

ENTHRONEMENT SERMON BY THE RT. REV OWEN CHIEDOZIE NWOKOLO AT ALL SAINTS’ CATHEDRAL, ONITSHA ON 1 ST MARCH 2011.

INTRODUCTION

We are grateful to God for the privilege to serve as a Bishop in the Church of God for the Diocese on the Niger. We thank the Primate and Metropolitan of All Nigeria. We thank the House of Bishops and the entire Clergy and Laity of this Diocese for their prayers and support.

My wife and I are very much indebted to our Bishop, our Daddy and Mummy, the Rt. Rev. Ken and Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke (Nneobioma) for all the love and support they showered on us. Indeed they took us as their very children. They taught us and nurtured us and made a lot of sacrifices for us. We don’t know how to thank them. All we can say for now is a prayer that the Lord will support and provide for them in their retirement. Thank you very much indeed and remain blessed.

I will not fail to acknowledge and appreciate my big Daddy, the Most Rev. Dr. J. A. Onyemelukwe. He ordained me and set me on the part of progress. He loves me and I cherish that so much. Recently he gave me a wonderful gift; the pectoral cross worn by Bishop Batram Lasbry, the first Bishop that bore the title “Bishop on the Niger” dated 1922. That is the cross I am putting on today. Like Zebrudaya, I will say to my daddy Archbishop Onyemelukwe, thank you very seriously.

Who am I to be chosen as the Bishop on the Niger? I am not the most learned or the most humble. The issue is that God decided to choose us for a purpose, and He prepared the ground in a special and unique way:

I was made a Deacon in this Cathedral I was ordained a priest in this Cathedral I was collated and installed a Canon in this Cathedral I was collated Archdeacon in this Cathedral I served as Vicar and Sub-dean in this Cathedral I was also consecrated Bishop in this Cathedral And today I was enthroned Bishop on the Niger in this same Cathedral

By this I believe, the Lord has declared that I belong here in life and in death. I no longer own myself. I am sacrificed as a lamb on the altar. And I am convinced that I am sold to the Lord to work for Him in this place. And I am prepared to do all that lies within me to promote the work of God here in this Diocese and beyond.

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When I die, as all mortals would, I am sure that my body will be buried somewhere in this Cathedral Compound. Nnobi people please take note.

Break up your fallow ground

The theme of this message is “Break up your fallow ground” taken from Jeremiah 4: 3 (ESV)

3 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

This statement was a compelling requirement for the people of Israel and Judah. Jeremiah repeated what Hosea (10: 12) maintained in the 8th century BC, the need for the people of Israel to have a radical x-ray of their relationship with their God, and the need to have a concrete and sincere turn around from their vain ways.

The dominant theme of Jeremiah is that of National sinfulness and looming judgment. Jeremiah’s 40-year ministry spanned the final days of Judah’s existence as an independent nation. He constantly warned his nation to submit to Babylon, a nation which God had appointed to discipline His people. As a result he was hated as a traitor to his people, and his life was often threatened. Yet Jeremiah lived to see his words come true.

The LORD’s words to the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem are more menacing because they are not yet in exile. The need for their repentance is more pressing, in view of the current circumstances. Failure to do so will cause God’s wrath to break out and burn like fire . . . burn with no one to quench it.

He mentions this because he realizes that he is talking here to a people who are experts at trying to deceive him with external acts of repentance. But he is a God who “searches the heart” (17: 10), who knows that Judah “did not return to Him with all her heart,” that her acts of repentance under Josiah have been “only in pretense”. Their lack of willingness to return to the Lord necessitates the injunction and call to break up their fallow ground (4:3).

The expression, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hos. 10: 12; Jer. 4: 3) means, “Do not sow your seed among thorns”, i.e. break off all your evil habits; clear your hearts of weeds, in order that they may be prepared for the seed of righteousness.

Land was allowed to lie fallow that it might become more fruitful; but when in this condition, it soon became overgrown with thorns and weeds. The cultivator of the soil was careful to “break up” his fallow ground, i.e. to clear the fields of weeds, before sowing seed in it.

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The same principles must be applied to our Church today. It is obvious from all indications, that my predecessors did a great work in this Diocese, in the area of mission, welfare and laying of a solid foundation for our Christian faith. Yet as I look around in our Diocese and beyond, I see a lot of fallow grounds that should be broken.

There are fallow grounds that border on our commitment to Christ as Lord and Saviour; there are fallow grounds that border on the future of our youths whom we are gradually losing to the modern age and other denominations. There are fallow grounds that have to do with the way we are handling the educational sector. There is a major fallow ground that concerns the caliber of Clergy and workers we have, some of whom do not understand the times, in order to know what they ought to do in these modern times. Lack of interest in soul winning and witnessing is evidence of fallow ground. Being too busy with secular activities to get involved in the work of God is evidence of fallow ground. We can go on and on.

This is why in this episcopacy, we have a mission to disciple every child, youth and adult, to be dedicated to Christ and committed to the Church to be able to serve the Lord sincerely and faithfully and to take their place in the scheme of things in the society.

It is not enough to consider how many persons have been baptized or how many Churches we have built. God “searches the heart.” He calls for worship that truly is from the heart (Eph 5: 19 – 20). Such worship cannot be judged solely on the basis of external appearance. What God calls for is a conversion of hearts, which manifests in the way people live their daily lives, in ways of truth, justice, righteousness, mercy and humility. Anything less is “only in pretense.”

We can identify with the need for this call in our time as well. In our National life, we have leaders who pretend to do good works but are corrupt. They do all sorts of things, including the manipulation of electoral procedure and rigging to win elections.

There are many in our society today who are trying to rewrite or make the Bible say what they want. They try to deny our godly heritage. But the Anglican Church was founded on the truth of the Holy Scriptures. Our founding fathers, the CMS missionaries were devoted Christian men. Men of God who dared-to take a stand for Christ. God richly blessed us because of this. Yet we too, have strayed; we too, have turned our backs on our Saviour.

Many have become more interested in playing Church than in changing lives; more interested in socials rather than souls; more interested in the corporation than the

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congregations; more interested in the windows than the widows; caring more for the yard, than the youth; Caring less and less about the lost that Jesus died for. What used to be a great harvest field has become fallow ground.

This fallow ground of pretense needs to be broken in our country as well as in our Church. We are a Church in danger. We say we are a prime Diocese in Nigeria; the mother and nurse of many infant sees, but we could fall overnight like Judah if we fail to heed the voice of Jeremiah the prophet. Babylon the great fell in one night; Alexander the Great died in a night and his entire empire crumbled; the Roman Empire fell from within, and we can go down just like that. We need to be careful. Our greatness does not depend on our lofty Cathedral. Our greatness should depend on our decision to be committed to Christ and to the vision of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and be relevant to our society.

I do not want to sound as a prophet of doom, but from some indications around us, it seems we are sliding into a ditch. Like the Jews we are holding tight to the former glory of the Temple: the Temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord. But the Temple was destined to be destroyed.

Many years ago, Mr. Enemuo of blessed memory asked, “What are we Anglicans doing”. Nobody answered him. And the question is still recurring today. We are more worried today than before about our existence as a church. We do not have excuse to be placed in the second position in this state

The Anglican Church came to this part of the world 20 years before any other denomination arrived. The spread of the gospel did not gather much momentum, probably because of the caliber of workers we engaged. Instead of engaging well trained, zealous and vibrant young Clergyman and knowledgeable Christian professionals, we settled for old Headmasters, retired teachers, and cheap manpower. The result is what is now manifesting in our present day society.

Our members are fast losing grip in politics and Government circles. We are gradually losing grounds in the educational sector and it is getting more and more difficult for our members to get new employments in Anambra State. It is becoming more difficult to secure lands where new Churches will be planted, because some Government officers belonging to other denominations will frustrate the move. What the Muslims are doing against Christians in the North, is manifesting in another guise in our State, from fellow Christians. It is regrettable. God will judge our State one day.

However, our problem is not from outside of us. The problem is internal not external. How many of our members are devoted to Christ and committed to the

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Church? How many of our members love their Priests and are prepared to defend the Church with their last drop of blood?

Some of our members are the first to sue the Bishop and the Church. Some of our members are the first to initiate a decision in Umunna and Town Union meetings that Church lands should be reduced or withdrawn.

Recently we were discussing the hand-over of schools to the Church, and somebody complained that a Government official was using the public funds to renovate Schools belonging to a particular denomination at the expense of other mission schools. The person mentioned CKC, QRC – and so on, as pleases where the deed was done. I don’t know whether the complaint is factual, but my quibble is, how many Anglicans can use their positions of authorities to attract development to our Church? At times when Anglicans are in authority they overlook the Church. This is a problem. We must break this fallow ground.

We must change our attitude on how we give to support the mission of the Church. Many of our members do not give generously. It would be possible for them to make huge donations to their social clubs and prayer ministries, but when it comes to giving in the Anglican Church, they complain. Many of our members do not genuinely pay their tithe. But we have many people who give to fulfil all righteousness.

There was a story of a Church building that was dilapidating. The roof was bad and needed replacement. The Vicar called for donation to do the work but got little or no response. Then one of the rich men in the congregation came up to rescue the day to save the Vicar from embarrassment. Though he was not a widow, he said he would give a widow’s mite of one hundred thousand naira. This man was also so blessed that he would have given much more than that. Nevertheless, at the sound of the donation, there was a thunderous applause from the congregation. But then something fell from the roof and hit him on the head. The man looked up and said, ah the matter is serious, and in that case let me make it two hundred thousand naira. Then the Vicar looked up to heaven and prayed, “ O Lord, hit him again”.

Many of our members need to be hit before they will realize how to give and it borders on our lack of devotion to Christ and commitment to the Church. This is a fallow ground that must be broken.

What we need to do in the years ahead is to remove those thorns and thistles that slow down God’s move in our time. We must continue to emphasize devotion and dedication to Christ. We must continue to be engaged in mission within and

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beyond our shores. We must expound and emphasize our commitment to this Church. We must seek the lost and disciple all our children and youth to love Christ so much so that they will be prepared to use their gifts for the edification of the Church.

We must have a dynamic Clergy and ministers who will be prepared to shepherd the flock of Christ with zeal and commitment. We must have a membership that is sincere and committed to the faith of our Fathers; who will also be versatile to fit into the scheme of things in our society.

Brethren, we break up the fallow ground when we pray for sensitivity to the needs of others in our world of influence. If we humble ourselves and pray, breaking up the various fallow grounds in our lives as individuals and as a Church, applying the Word of God in our various circumstances, God will heal our land and we shall be saved.

CHAPTER FOUR

PERFORMANCE OF THE CHURCH AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

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4.1 LITURGY AND WORSHIP

PREAMBLE

Liturgy is “the prescribed form of a religious worship service in the Christian Church”, while worship is “the act of showing great reverence, honour, respect especially to God”

Ten years ago it was observed that there are decline in Anglican spirituality. We thank God that signs of spiritual growth are seen, especially through the production of Bible Study outlines, follow-up booklets and the like. In considerations of the challenges of maintaining our Anglican identity and ensuring that we make good use of our new prayer book so as to tap from the riches therein, the need to hold on to our heritage cannot be overemphasized.

4.1.1 WHERE WE AREThe Anglican worship is drifting from our traditional mode of worship to non-liturgical mode of worship –

I No uniform pattern of worship2 No uniform Order of Service3 Some of our churches in the Diocese do not observe certain church

seasons

4.1.2 WHERE WE WANT TO BE

To achieve a uniform Liturgy and Worship while adapting same to the contemporary times and maintaining our Anglican identity as a Diocese

4.1.3 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND PLAN

S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME1 Our liturgy should be

comprehensive and relevant to the contemporary times through:

a. workshops, seminars

Bishop/Clergy Immediate

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and training of the handlers which include the Clergy, Catechists, Church teachers, Lay Readers and other Lay people

b. Constant teaching of the meaning and usefulness of our liturgy to the congregation

2 The liturgy and worship should be enlarged to create room for the spiritual needs of the congregation. This will include healing, deliverance etc.

a. Encourage the congregation to open-up to the Clergy for help

b. The Bible Study Outline should be drawn in a way to accommodate the yearning of the youth and children

c. Production of children’s service materials for effective training of young Anglicans


3 The use of the Anglican liturgy in all our church services should be encouraged and emphasized

a. The handlers of the services should be well grounded to use and

Bishop/Clergyand ACM Teachers

Immediate

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teach the liturgyb. Teaching the children

the Anglican heritage from infancy

4 The congregation should be encouraged to have all the worship books (Bible, Book of common prayers, hymns, Ekpere na abu)

a. Encourage confirmation candidates to present theirs at confirmation

b. Continuous usage of these worship books in all services of the church


5 Proper harnessing of our church services

a. Ensuring proper time management and discouragement of frivolities

b. Proper teaching on giving and reducing the number of times of taking of offering in the service.

c. Encourage the use of media/electronic contacts to improve our worship relationships

d. Introduction of praise and testimonies in our service programme to meet with the spiritual requirements of the changing times.


4.2 EDUCATION

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WHERE WE ARE

Education is one of the greatest frontiers of the Diocese on the Niger. Infact the Diocese on the Niger has the highest number of schools owned by Missions.

4.2.1. WHERE WE WANT TO BE

We want to be the leading Diocese in education by establishing a functional education system from primary to tertiary levels.


S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME

1 Establishment of Diocese on the Niger Education Commission

The Bishop to constitute liaising with other persons with knowledge in Education Management

Immediate

2 Establishment of management Board for all the school

Bishop and Education Commission

Immediate

3 Establishment of Education Trust fund

The Bishop, Archdeaconries parishes, all churches in the Diocese and management Board of schools

The project will last from now to mid 2013 to raise capital for schools development and it shall be continuous

4Posting of Chaplains to all schools and clergy to act asrepresentatives of the Bishop in returned schools.

The Bishop Immediate

5 All schools to have a church monitoring it and the chaplain to be a clergy of the said church.

Bishop/Education Commission

Within 2years

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6 All schools under the mission should have uniform structure in everything

Diocesan Education Board Within 2years

7 Enumerate the exact number of schools under the Diocese

Diocesan Education Board To be done before end of 2012

8 All Archdeaconries/Parishes must register all school with the commission in the case of emergent school

Bishop/Education Board to direct the Clergy and Churches

Immediate and continuous

9 Streamlining of Management procedures of learning, programmes and activities of all mission schools

Education Commission Within 2years

10 Ensure that the necessary facilities/infrastructures needed for teaching and learning are adequately provided

Education Commission and Management Board


11 Encourage the younger Clergy to take to Educational course and review of welfare package of the teachers

Bishop/School Management


12 Re-awakening the Clergy, Church teachers, Lay-readers and Evangelists on the Niger on the need for moral instruction in our schools

Bishop, School Management and Education Commission

Before the end of 2012

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13 Encourage all Mission Schools to have a befitting place of worship

School Management Before the end of 2020

14 Encouraging more Church Teachers to undergo training as school teachers before going to Theological College

Bishop, Archdeacons and vicars


15 Set up modalities to own a Diocesan University/tertiary institution

Bishop/Diocesan Board Before the end of 2020

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4.3 YOUTH WORK

INTRODUCTION: The Youth Ministries are the bedrock of the Anglican Church and our Diocese. They need the Church and the Church needs them, for in their hands lie the future of the Church.

4.3.1 WHERE WE ARE

The Anglican Church is fast losing her teeming youths to other denominations. Even many of the nominal ones have other places they visit to get their spiritual and material needs met.


Within the next ten years, every Anglican youth will be proud to be identified as an Anglican and would be influencing non members to start attending the Church programmes. Our youths’ future will be secured and every young person will graduate from working for the adults to working with the adults.


S/N Activity Action Time Frame1. A scholarship fund should be

set up to take care of indigent brilliant youths at both the Diocesan and Church levels.

The Bishop/Parishes


2. Training and retraining of youth leaders at all levels and a certificate would be awarded at the Diocesan level on the completion of the training.

The Bishop, Administrative Secretary and Director of Studies.

Within 2 years

3. Greater active participation of the youths in church affairs. Introducing youth service once a month.

Parishes Immediate and continuous

4. Provision of modern electronic/multimedia and sound musical gadgets by all churches because it will attract the youth.

Parishes Immediate and continous

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5. Parents to be re-oriented and encouraged in the training of their children in the Anglican way and also monitoring of their children at their services, programmes and in the schools.

Parents/pastors and church teachers


6. Introducing lively, soul enriching and impact-full church worship.

Church workers Immediate and continuous

7. The Chaplains to institutions should be the best materials for the special ministry. Our institutions deserve the best. The Chaplains should not stay longer than necessary.

The BishopImmediate & continuous

8. Parishes to support Anglican Chaplaincies and the students in the schools around them via Moral Instruction classes using Lay readers, Evangelists, etc.

Parishes/church workers

Immediate/continuous

9. Youth Directorate/Board to be created at the Diocese level to coordinate the programme and activities of all the youth organizations.

The Bishop Within 2years

10. The Priests should adequately monitor the programmes and the leadership of the youth organizations.

Priests Immediate and continuous

11. The Priests to be encouraged to be youth friendly and workshop, on the place of the Youth Ministry in the church should be organized.

The Bishop Immediate and continuous

12. We should be 21st Century compliant through establishing cable network and internet and the use of projectors.


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Advertising church programmes through bulk SMS is an advantage.

13. Discipling the youths to appreciate our church system, tradition and doctrines.

Church Workers Immediate/ continuous

14. Youth empowerment through the establishment of higher institution and job opportunities.

The Diocesan Board and parishes

Within 2 years and continuous

15. Substantial amount of money to be budgeted towards children and youth work.

The Diocesan Finance Board and Parishes


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4.4 CHILDREN’S WORK

4.4.1 WHERE WE ARE

The Children’s Sunday School is thriving, but much still needs to be done in terms of leadership capacity building and provision of teaching aids and other reading manuals for day-to-day spiritual growth.

Presently, the Anglican Children’s Ministry (ACM) does not have much teaching aids and this has posed serious challenges to the overall spiritual upbringing of our children within the context of Anglican Communion. It is on record that the training seminars and aids in use for the upbringing of our Anglican children are popularly derived from non Anglican bodies like Children’s Evangelism Ministry (CEM), Children’s Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), etc.


- Have our children fully engrafted into our mode of worship for purposes of continuity and retaining them in the Anglican Communion.

- Have uniform order of service for Children Churches such that they are exposed to the Catechism, Liturgy, Hymns and Anglicanism in general with a tendency to instructing them on biblical doctrines.

- Have a well-funded and well-equipped Children’s Ministry in terms of trained personnel and teaching aids.

- Develop Anglican children to be morally upright, disciplined and godly at home, schools and in Church as a safeguard to building them up for leadership in the future.


S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME

1. Increase the number of adults who teach children.


2. Establish a “Train the Trainers” programme for those who teach Children.

Dioceses/ Parishes


3. Create curricula for the Diocese Immediate

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teachers’ development process.

4. Produce daily reading guides and Bible Study outlines for children to avoid the use of adult aids or aids from non-Anglican denominations.

Diocese Immediate and continuous

5. Produce teaching aids for the Children’s Ministry and improve the quality of the Children’s camp meetings.


6. Provide Audio/Visual aids by making it a budget item for teaching the 21st Century child and quality public address system gadgets.

All Parishes/Churches

Immediate and Continuous

7. Establish Bible Clubs / ACM weekly activities.

Parishes/churches


4.5 FINANCE AND INVESTMENT (ENDOWMENTS).

31

4.5.1 WHERE WE ARE.

The Diocese on the Niger has no major investment that is profit – oriented. The effort to endow a large sum of money with an intention to use its interest to help the Diocese financially was thwarted by the recent economic meltdown. Thus the Diocese depends solely on the conventional ways of raising funds by giving annual financial assessments to churches. Diocesan investments on the printing press, Iyi-Enu Hospital, St. Christopher’s Junior Seminary, Holy Innocents Juniorate Covent, etc are yielding little or nothing to the Diocese. Thus the need to make more efforts to generate funds that can make the Diocese financially stable.

4.5.2 WHERE WE WANT TO BE:

The Diocese on the Niger should consider these areas of investment within the next ten years:-

1. MICRO- FINANCE BANK:The Diocese should embark on this project as it will help both the Diocese and the local churches to have sound financial footing.

2. PRINTING PRESS:

This is a very good business considering the volume of work that will come from the churches in the Diocese alone. The space at No 4 Omaegana Street Onitsha, can be utilized for this purpose.

3. REAL PROPERTY:

Concerted efforts should be made to acquire land in relatively new areas like Abuja and its environs. It could be sold as prices appreciate. Also the Diocese should invest on building Guest House and Hostels in strategic places.

4. HOSPITALS:

There is need to revamp Iyi-Enu Hospital and introduce some specialist departments wherein experts from overseas could be invited to work there. Also new hospitals and clinics shall be established to augment the existing ones.

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5. ELECTRONIC AND PRINT MEDIA:The Diocese on the Niger should strive to own a Radio Station, operate a Satellite Television Station and run a Newspaper or Magazine that will operate on commercial basis.

4.5.3 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND PLAN:

S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME1 Establishment of a Micro

Finance BankBoard members to be set up by the Bishop.

Immediate

2 Establishment of a printing press and constitution of Management Board

The Bishop 1 year

3 Real Property/ Estate Management Committee

The Bishop Before end of 2020

4 (a) Upgrading Iyi- Enu Hospital to have specialist departments

(b) Establishment of more hospitals/ clinics

The present Board to be challenged to meet this demand

,,

within 3 years

5 (a) Establishment of a Radio Station with Government approved license

(b) Establishment of a Satellite TV Station.

(c) Upgrading our News- Paper to meet national standard and hitting The news stands.

A Committee on Print/ Electronic media to be set up by the Bishop.

,,

,,

4 years

4 years

2 years

4.6 MISSION AND EVANGELISM

4.6.1 WHERE WE ARE:

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In the last ten years, the Diocese On The Niger did particularly well in the area of Missions and Evangelism. The evidence is seen in the growth of the Diocese through the emergence of new Dioceses, Archdeaconries, Parishes and Churches. Our churches are lively and are engaging in Missions and Evangelism through Conferences, Seminars, Faith Clinics, Revival Meetings, Visits to rural and riverine areas and recently, the initiative to embark on foreign mission to Togo – DON Togo.

4.6.2 WHERE WE WANT TO BE:

1. CREATION OF A FUNCTIONAL MISSION DIRECTORATE:

There is need for a functional Directorate of Mission with two subsidiary departments: - Home Mission and Foreign Mission. Each of the Departments should have a Board with its own separate Chairman for effectiveness.

2. RE-ORIENT ADULT ANGLICANS TO APPRECIATE OUR

LITURGY:

We observe that adult Anglicans are becoming too flexible, too open and assimilating all sorts of teachings and are at the point of losing touch with our identity, ethos, values and liturgy as Anglicans thus the need for a drastic re- orientation.

3. GEOGRAPHICAL MAPPING OF THE DIOCESE TO ASCERTAIN AREAS TO PLANT CHURCHES:

A thorough geographical mapping of the entire landscape of the Diocese On the Niger should be made so as to determine areas where new churches should be planted. A functional Directorate of mission should be formed to assist in doing this.

4. POSSESSION OF OUR LAND IN NEW LAYOUTS:

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The Diocese should become more proactive in occupying and developing the land given to it in new layouts and other green areas.

5. PRODUCTION OF A TEACHING MANUAL TO BEEF UP OUR DISCIPLESHIP EFFORTS:

A teaching manual to be used uniformly during our Friday class session should be produced by the Diocese. This will help to disciple our/ members and communicate some of our doctrines.

6. CHAPELS AND CHAPLAINS IN OUR SCHOOLS:

There is need to erect chapels in all the schools handed over to us. Ordained Chaplains are also to be posted to such institutions as a way of establishing our presence there and helping to instill moral values in the students.

7. FORMATION OF PROFESSIONALS FELLOWSHIP:

There is need for the Diocese to initiate a professional’s fellowship. Just like Teachers, other professionals like Doctors/ Nurses, Lawyers, Pharmacist, Architects etc, should be encouraged to start their respective fellowships and all professionals, can also have an umbrella association housing all of them.

8. MAKING OUR WEBSITE MORE INTERACTIVE:

The Diocesan website should be made more interactive and used as a medium of evangelism and out- reach. Our worship materials should be uploaded therein so that people can download such materials easily and without stress.

4.6.3 IMPLEMETATION STRATEGIES AND PLAN:

S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME1 Creation of a functional

Mission Directorate.Bishop Within one year

2 Re- orient adult Anglicans to appreciate our liturgy.

Clergy/ Church Teachers Plan to start within 1 year.

3 Geographical mapping of Bishop/Directorate for Within 2 years.

35

the Diocese so as to plant more churches.

Mission

4 Possession of our land in new layout.

Land/property Management Committee


5 Production of a teaching manual to beef up our discipleship efforts

Bishop/Directorate for Mission

Within 1 year

6. Building of chapels and sending of Chaplains to our schools.

Bishop 2- 3 years.

7 Formation of professional fellowships to help our professionals.

Bishop Within 3 year.

8 Making our website more interactive and evangelism friendly.

Bishop Within 2 year

4.7 POLITICS AND SOCETY FOR EQUITY, JUSTICE AND

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PEACE (SEJUP)

4.7 PREAMBLE

It is pertinent to note that politics is an integral part of the life of citizens of every country including Nigeria. The policies and programmes of the government are articulated by politicians. Therefore it is imperative that the Diocese on the Niger is relevant in the politics of the State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Sequel to the above, the Diocese on the Niger shall through its Laity be actively involved in politics. For clarity, the Laity of our church consists of all non-ordained members of the church. The church will advance its political thrust through the Laity. Owing to the fact that the clergy due to their status are in a way constrained to take part in very active politics, it is recommended as follows:

1 That the Diocese shall set up body to be known as the INTERACTIVE UNIT as a vehicle to educate and enlighten its members on political awareness, consciousness and participation.

2 The Diocese on the Niger through the unit shall make direct requests to the government for the appointment of its members in appointive positions in the state and to statutory bodies in the state. The Diocese shall if need be recommend its members for appointment.

3 The Diocese through this unit shall be mandated to get information on a regular basis on government policies and programmes.

4 The Diocese through this unit shall facilitate programmes through its members in the State House of Assembly and shall always seek to make input in any law or policy that will affect the interests of the Diocese.

5 The Laity, and all church organizations in every church in the Diocese and through the Archdeaconries shall forward to the Diocese through this unit programmes, information etc about

37

members aspiring to or already in a position of authority and the Diocese shall directly liaise with the individual to further our interests generally.

6 This unit shall be the political mouth piece of the Diocese, commenting with care but without restriction on all issues of governance and shall make periodic press releases and statements to highlight all areas of maladministration in the society and all other forms of injustice, disharmony or strife.

7 The general object of the Diocese on the Niger interactive unit shall be political mobilization, education, election monitoring, appointment of credible members to positions and offices, etc

4.7.1 WHERE WE AREIn summary it is noted with sadness that Anglicans in the Diocese are not politically active due to several factors which includes apolitical attitude, the feeling that politics is for idle and bad people, apathy and lukewarm attitude to issues in governance


It is suggested that since the SEJUP is not a creation of the Diocese the Interactive Unit shall collaborate with the SEJUP in its activities. To promote the political consciousness, the Diocese should not meddle in the structure of the SEJUP but the Diocese on the Niger interactive and social unit shall constantly feed the SEJUP of its affairs. For effective and better control, the interactive unit shall work in partnership with the leadership of the Diocese to achieve its particular objects.

However if the Diocese is permitted to have its own SEJUP unit and if the SEJUP unit will operate as directed by the Diocesan leadership and the Bishop, then the entire work and purpose of the interactive and social unit of the Diocese on the Niger should be undertaken by the SEJUP. This is to avoid duplicity.

4.7.3 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND PLANS38

S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME1 Setting up of the Diocese interactive

and social unit. This unit shall be the political mouthpiece of the Diocese

The Bishop Within I year

2 The unit to make direct requests to the government

The Bishop acting on the mandate of the unit

Continuous

3 Periodic sensitization through the church bulletins, newsletters, notices etc of political activities, programmes, policies etc.

All the Archdeaconries, Parishes and churches

Continuous

4Execution of the objects of the interactive and social unit through communiqué, press releases, synod reports

The interactive unit Continuous

5 The members of the Diocese to be educated on the affairs of the unit and urged to make inputs

All Clergy, groups, organizations in the

Diocese

Continuous

6 The Laity council and all church organization in every Archdeaconries shall forward to the Diocese information etc about members aspiring to or already in a position of authority, and the Diocese shall directly liaise with the individual to further our interest generally


Diocese

Continuous

7 The Diocese through its said unit shall if need be facilitate programmes through its members in the State House of Assembly and shall always seek to make input in any law or policy that affects interests of the Diocese


Diocese

Continuous

4.8 WELFARE

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1. Definitions: Welfare can be defined as the financial and other physical or practical assistance rendered to people in need to better their social economic conditions. It is an expression of Christian charity to the less privileged. It is the Church’s responsibility to-ensure the well being of the down trodden by taking adequate care of them through giving.

4.8.1 WHERE WE ARE:

Churches have been embarking on welfare silently and seasonally during feasts, celebrations, harvests and occasionally at ordinary times. These were disjointed act of welfare, so to speak, and it involves giving of food materials (sometimes very small quantities), clothing materials and small amounts of money. There are sometimes, however, when something tangible is done though once in a great while. But since 2006 when the Diocesan Welfare Committee and its subsidiaries – Church Parish and Archdeaconry Welfare Committees came on board and put serious stress on welfare, a whole lot of improvements have been noticed.

The Diocese has done fairly well on welfare. She has spent a good sum of money on this. The Women’s Ministries have done very well. The Crowther Home stands to their credit. Many women have been assisted with pretty sums of money. Materials, food-clothing are also distributed to Churches and many are assisted with their market stalls. When an assemblage of what the Diocese has done on welfare is done, it would be discovered that she has not done so badly. So as we thank God for the achievements, awareness and re-awakenings, we put it on record that our efforts are not yet enough. For instance, it is disheartening to note that Welfare Committees are not yet formed in some Parishes.

4.8.2 WHERE WE WANT TO BEIt is expected that in 10yrs time, the Diocese should be noted for what could really be called actual welfare that is holistic.

4.8.3 IMPLEMNTATION STRATEGIES AND PLAN

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S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIMEFRAME

1 Continuous serious sensitization on matters of welfare.

Clergy/Welfare Committees


2 Churches should invest some of their monthly earnings on welfare

Bishop to approve


3 A Sunday should be set aside as Diocesan Welfare Sunday.

Bishop to approve


4 Enlightenment seminars for the proper orientation of Churches. Maximum participation of Churches and individuals.

Diocesan Welfare Committee


5 Invest on Clergy capacity building for better performance on welfare

b Ensure proper welfare of the Clergy c. Discourage the housing of the Clergy in rented apartments.

Bishop/Welfare Committee


6 YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Set up a Skill Acquisition Centre.

Bishop/ Welfare Committee

2 Years-Time

7 Scholarship Scheme should be set up in the Diocese, Archdeaconries and Parishes/Church levels to cater for intelligent indigent pupils/students

Bishop/Churches

Immediate

9 Welfare Committees in their strata should raise Committee of friends to help fund Welfare Involvements

Clergy/Welfare Committee


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TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THE ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

1 Build homes for orphans, widows, aged and disabled individuals which should also serve as training centres for them.

Clergy/Welfare Committees and Women’s Ministries

Before year 2020

2 The disabled should be encouraged and assisted to study in their specialized schools to be skilled.

Welfare committee to initiate


3 Orphans should be taken up and cared for by well-to-do individuals and philanthropists

The Clergy to initiate

Immediate/Continuous

4 Welfare Committee should seek out Industrialists who can be of assistance to the Orphans and the Physically challenged

Diocesan Welfare Committee


5 Young widows should be encouraged to re-marry to forestall misbehaviour and miscalculations

Vicars/Welfare Committee


6 The Diocesan Legal Team should be of assistance to widows being persecuted unnecessarily.

Bishop/Legal team/Committee

2 Years-Time

7 Adequate Pastoral Care of these groups should be devised ad applied

Bishop/Churches Immediate

8 The Welfare Committees, the Diocese and Archdeaconries should register as NGOs so as to attract fund from foreign and local firms interested in Welfare for the upkeep of orphans, the less privileged, widows, aged and physically

Bishop/Diocesan Welfare Committee

5 years

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challenged individuals.

THE EFFECTS OF SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND OTHER UGLY ASPECTS OF BREAKDOWN IN MARRIAGES.

1 Teach against early marriages of both sexes.

Clergy Immediate/ Continuous

2 Set up a Committee to prepare uniform Marriage Counseling Manual

Bishop Immediate

3 Counseling before wedding should be encouraged

Bishop/ Clergy Immediate/

Continuous

4 Marriage seminars should be part of the curriculum of ABA, Girls Guild, AYF and EFAC programmes.

Leaders/

Chaplains

Immediate/ Continuous

5 Discourage arranged marriages totally.

Clergy Immediate/ Continuous

6 Enlightenment programmes should be put across through the media

b. More books on marriage should be written, published, made available and be adequately used.

Clergy/welfare Committee

Immediate / Continuous

10 Introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and intervention Group to take care of conflicts in marriages

Bishop Immediate

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4.9 MEDICALDefinition: World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being.

4.9.1 WHERE WE ARE: Our Diocese has only one Health Institution (i.e. Iyi-Enu Hospital). Iyi-Enu Hospital is doing well as a Secondary Health facility. Currently, we have ten functional Health Posts in various Parishes. Twenty-five more parishes have also indicated interest, and their names have been taken to Awka for approval and registration. Don-Huds and HIV/AIDS counseling facility at All Saint’s Church, Obosi are also prevailing in their area of endeavour.

4.9.2 WHERE WE WANT TO BE: We desire to see Iyi-Enu Hospital established as a tertiary facility Health Institution with one or two satellite Hospitals in the Urban and Rural areas, an ART centre (i.e. Anti-retroviral Drugs Distributing Centre), a training centre for Laboratory Technicians and Auxiliary Nurses, an establishment of health care delivery with comprehensive Health Education.

4.9.3 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND PLAN:

S/N ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAME

1 Upgrading of Iyi-Enu Hospital services by improving the following facilities: training of Health Workers (e.g. House Officers), Lab Technicians and so on. Procurement of modern equipment, operating as an ART centre (HIV treatment), setting up specialized Centers such as dialysis, IVF and Optomological equipment.

Mobilization of enough funds by the Diocese to upgrade facilities.

Before the end of 2013

2 Strengthening the primary Health Care Services by creating Health

All Parish Priests and Immediate/ Continuou

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Posts/Centres in all the Parishes and Mission Schools.

school Chaplains s

3 Establish a Health Promotion /Education Committee at Diocesan and Parish levels to enlighten our members on health matters such as Communicable Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Infections (e.g. HIV/AIDS), immunization, simple hygiene, nutrition, teenage pregnancies, effect of fake drugs and quackery and other health related ailments prevalent in our society. On this note we suggest that the Diocese should begin to observe “Health Week” every year.

Medical Board Immediate.

4 Established Health Promotion Committee to oversee the production of a quarterly Health Publication sponsored by the Diocese to ensure regular health Education, sensitization / awareness.

Medical Board Immediate/ continuous

5 Formation of Anglican Medical and Health Workers Associations for manpower development and also help in running the Diocesan Mobile Clinic.

Bishop Within 5years

6 Advice those undergoing marriage in our Churches to ascertain their HIV/AIDS status from designated Hospitals, as part of their requirements.

Clergy Immediate

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4.10 COMMUNICATION (BROADCASTING/PRINT MEDIA)

4.10.1 WHERE WE AREDiocese on the Niger has been at the forefront of information and communication with the establishment of a Diocesan printing press, newspapers and magazines like Niger Torch, Niger Christian Times, etc.

Again, Diocese on the Niger have been on air with special programmes and documentaries like “know the truth” and other individual Parishes on various air-times.


In view of the 21st Century nuclear and digital ICT relevance, there is need for the Diocese to brace up to the challenges. Considering the fact that most of the new generation churches are into well-packaged media evangelism and printing industry, the Diocese on the Niger is left with no option but radical re-engineering of the existing structure, re-packaging the existing programmes on air and setting up experienced managerial crew for co-ordination of the programmes.


ACTIVITY ACTION TIME FRAMERe-establishment of a Diocesan Printing Press

Bishop Before the end of 2015

Reviving the Diocesan sponsored Radio and Television Programmes

Bishop/ Directorate ICT

Immediate

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Formation of Directorate of Information and Communication

Bishop Immediate

Buy air time in NTA.

Subscribe to MYTV

Diocese and ParishesDirectorate ICT

Within 2year

Formation of Anglican

Media Practitioners

Association to join in the

campaign for sustenance of

our vision and mission.

Bishop Immediate

Professional within the house

of Clergy and Laity to be

used in this field.

Diocese Directorate ICT

Immediate

Social Network

i. Developing a

Functional

&Interactive

Website.

ii. Use of Facebook

iii. U-Tube: Video can

be played on it.

Diocese, Parishes and

Churches

Immediate

Continue the printing of

tabloid now to be called

“Niger Times”

Bishop/ Management Immediate

Join the Church of Nigeria

DSTV Network

Bishop/Management Immediate

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CHAPTER FIVE

FINANCING STRATEGY

It is an acceptable truism that the success of every church vision and programme depends first on God. It also require the active participation of individual members of the church. In this case of financing the vision of the Diocese, it largely depends on the faithfulness, commitment, accountability, cheerful giving by members of the Diocese and financial integrity of the operatives of the system

A FUND DRIVE

1 Prompt payment of assessment2 Proper teaching on tithing and giving3 Proper management of Diocesan investments4 Endowment Fund 5 Buying of stocks when market improves6 Investing in Microfinance Bank of the Diocese (Akuchukwu)7 Source assistance from selected members of the Diocese (Emminent

Anglicans)

B ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FUNDING

1 Proper harnessing of special Sundays2 Churches to support Diocesan programmes through donations3 Sales of relevant periodicals and prompt payments to the Diocese4 Mission support fund from churches

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5 Train a priest fund from churches6 Diocesan Synod cake and Presidential Address7 Paying homage to the Diocesan by the Archdeaconries8 Fresh Manna Conference Support9 Investments in other areas – printing press, real property, newspaper,

Radio and Television Stations, School and Hospitals etc10 Partnership with other investors for proper funds/business

management.

CHAPTER SIX

IMPLEMENTATION FRAME WORK

To be able to implement these vision, there is need for institutional requirements through establishment of committees. These committees will in no doubt enhance the implementation of its vision:

1 Directorate of Mission and Evangelism2 Directorate of Children/Youth Ministry3 Land and Property Management Committee4 Diocesan Education Board (Committee)5 Social Awareness and Protocol Committee (SAPCOM))6 Media and Information Directorate7 Welfare Committee8 Health Management Board (Committee)9 Legal Team/Committee10 Vision Implementation and Monitoring Committee

DIRECTORATE OF MISSION AND EVANGELISM

- To co-ordinate the Mission and Evangelism, within and outside the Diocese with the approval of the Bishop

- Encourage gifted Clergymen and Lay Evangelists to be more relevant to our church programmes

- Proper co-ordination and effective use of licensed Evangelists for Diocesan mission needs

- Educate and reawaken the Diocese on the area of Mission and Evangelism

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- Encourage holistic approach to evangelism- Oversee the activities of subsidiary agency eg: Foreign and Home

Mission Board- Responsible for other issues raised in mission and evangelism

DIRECTORATE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY

- Development of policies and programmes for the spiritual, social and economic well being of the youths

- Provide platforms for the Boys and Girls Brigade, ABA, ASM,YAC,AYF,GG, ACM, etc and ensuring that they are properly trained to become faithful Anglican Christians and future leaders.

- Responsible for other issues raised in the youth and children work

LAND AND PROPETY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE- The committee shall seek ways and means to make the Diocese on the

Niger self-financing- Advise the Diocese on investment opportunities that will boost her

financial capability- Plan and implement the Endowment Fund of the Diocese- Implement plans on the establishment of Microfinance Bank- Responsible for other programmes raised in the finance and investment

vision of the Diocese

DIOCESAN EDUCATION BOARD (COMMITTEE)

- Be responsive to the present educational challenges- Establish more schools on existing landed property and new layouts- Co-ordinate our schools and teachers for productivity- Evaluate the performances of schools in Parishes and Archdeaconries- Ensure proper discipline in our schools and co-ordinate the Chaplains for

high moral standards.- Responsible for other programmes raised in the education vision of the

Diocese

SOCIAL AWARENESS AND PROTOCOL COMMITTEE

- Register with relevant bodies for election awareness, mobilization and monitoring

- Collate and maintain data/dossier of Anglicans in public service- Co-ordinate the Anglican politicians within our Diocese for proper focus

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- Ensure that Anglicans are fully involved in the political life of our State and its process

- Embark on professional grouping of Anglicans in our Diocese as a way of mobilization

- Responsible for other issues raised in the vision as it relates to Politics and SEJUP

MEDIA AND INFORMATION DIRECTORATE (COMMITTEE)

- Be responsive to the challenges of the information age in the Diocese- Strengthen communication and publicity within and outside the Diocese- Promote and ensure adequate communication/publicity of the activities of

the Diocese on the Niger in the print and electronic media including e-mail and internet

- Responsible for issues raised in the vision as it relates to media and information

WELFARE COMMITTEE (BOARD)

- Encourage talented but indigient Anglican children and youths- Assist in youth empowerment within the Diocese- Provide a frame work for giving succor to the helpless including new

converts abandoned by their people- Assist the widows, widowers, destitute, poverty stricken and homeless to

find succor in the church, especially in times of need.- Responsible for other issues raised as it concerns welfare in the vision

HEALTH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (BOARD)

Fashion policies, programmes and the modalities for health care delivery to members

- Establish Health Clinics and Hospitals to take care of the health needs of the church and the members of the society

- Provide facilities in form of Health Evangelism to improve the health of members and bring more converts to our fold.

- Responsible for other issues as it relates to health in the vision

LEGAL TEAM/ COMMITTEE

- Advice the Diocese legally on any issue they are involved inBe part of every agreement the Diocese will enter

- Take lead in any legal battle that involves the Diocese

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- Offer legal advise to churches in any area the need may arise- Be seriously involved in any land issue or case involving the Diocese or

the churches.- Interpret issues and legal implications so as to advise the Diocese aright.

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING COMMITTEE

- See to the effective implementation of various aspects of the vision by those concerned

- Collate and appraise information on the implementation of projects and programmes

- Design a progress report format for measuring progress on programme implementation.

- Disseminate information gathered on implementation - Be proactive in resolving implementation problems- Review implementation strategies and consider new programmes- Review sources of funds and their effective management- Decide on the appropriate time to review the vision, its strategy and

programmes.

LIST OF THE VISIONING COMMITTEE (THINK TANK) CONFERENCE

GROUP ONE

1 Sir Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN)2 Ven. Obi Ubaka3 Very Rev. Dr. Emma Ekpunobi4 Ven. John Nkwoemezie5 Dr. Sir Nath Okafor6 Dr. Sir Ik Okonkwo7 Rev Elochukwu Ojukwu8 Dr. Azuka Onweluzo9 Dr. Lady Uju Ikegwuani10 Sir Gabriel Okafor (Witty)

Facilitator: Ven. Andrew Ibe

Rapporteur: Barr. Tagbo Anieto

GROUP TWO

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1 Ven. Okey Ukpeke2 Ven. Ndubisi Obi3 Rev. Goddy Iloka4 Evang. Joshua Chukwujekwu5 Evang. Nnamdi Ezeh6 Evang Nchedo Madu7 Rev. Chinedu Nnakwue8 Rev. Ik Egbuonu9 Rev. Fred Nwachukwuma10 Rev. Arthur Nnalue

Facilitator: Ven. Emma EjianyaRapporteur: Rev. Canon Dr. Joe Ajaefobi

GROUP THREE

1 Sir Obiora Nzewi Esq2 Ven Sylvester Nwagbo3 Ven. Patrick Nwakalor4 Dr. Sir Emma Oyeka5 Rev. Canon Izuchukwu Obiekwe6 Surv. Chigbo Okeke7 Sir Simon Omekaodinma8 Rev. Marcel Emeh9 Engr. Sir Chuma Omeata10 Mr. Frank Ajaezu

Facilitator: Ven. Ikechukwu IhemtugeRapporteur: Rev. Chigozie Anieto

GROUP FOUR1 Pharm Mrs. Elsie Nwokolo2 Chief Dr. Sir Chika Okafor3 Sir J.R. Nduka Esq4 Ven. Dr. Paul Enwonwu5 Ven. Angus Umeh6 Rev. Canon Frank Obi7 Mr. Emmanuel Omonogun

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8 Mr. Onyebuchi Obinwa9 Mr. Ebele Okafor10 Dr. Lady Ngozi Agbasimelo11 Rev. Mike Okoh

Facilitator: Prof. Sir Ilochi Okafor SANVen. Josiah Ofoegbu

Rapporteur: Rev. Izuchukwu Ndubisi

GROUP FIVE

1 Sir Ben Uzuegbu Esq2 Ven. Dave Udoezika3 Chief Sir Dan Chukwudozie4 Chief Sir Mike Nwakalor5 Sir Nworah Etele6 Sir Okey Agbasimelo7 Dr. Sir Cyprian Okafor8 Dr. Sir Joe Ilonze9 Rev. Leo Onwuzuligbo10 Sir Ikechukwu Ejelue11 Sir Emma Ibeneme12 Mr. Victor Ndu

Facilitator: Dr. Sir G.U. OkekeSir Chris Ukachukwu

Rapporteur: Rev. Canon Obiora Uzochukwu

GROUP SIX

1 Sir Andy Obianwu Esq2 Ven. Tim Umeh3 Barr. Humphery Udechukwu4 Sir Oselloka Offor5 Rev. Sam Adoro6 Rev. Chris Amaku7 Rev. Rapuluchukwu Okoye8 Mrs. Maureen Ezeokeke

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9 Rev. Ifeanyi Aniakor10 Mr. Alex Uzoigwe

Facilitator: Sir Dave AnezuRapporteur: Rev. Emma Mbanugo

GROUP SEVEN

1 Sir Tim Okeke2 Sir Tony Madueke3 Dr. Sir Enoch Onunkwo4 Dr. Okwuchukwu Chukwuka KSC5 Rev. Ebenezer Agogbua6 Rev. Gabriel Ekekwe7 Dr. Nwudo Odenigbo8 Rev. Ifeanyi Okpala9 Rev. Oswald Ezekwere10 Rev. T.C. Okoye11 Rev. Kingsley Adigwe12 Dr. Sir Tim Menakaya

Facilitator: Ven. Joseph NwekeRapporteur: Barr. Chinwe Ilondu

GROUP EIGHT

1 Very Rev. Prof. D.C. Okeke2 Prof. Sir Elochukwu Amucheazi3 Prof. Sir Okey Ikpeze4 Rev. Canon Dr. Eric Anozie5 Mr. Ozo Ofodueze6 Rev. Canon Francis Onuorah7 Mr. Chudi Ogbuka

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8 Rev. Innochuks Onwuemeli

Facilitator: Ven. Felix EzeonyecheRapporteur: Rev. Canon Nathan Muonyelu

GROUP NINE

1 Rev. Canon Engr. John Anyachebelu2 Dame Ngozi Ezedum3 Mr. Uche Apakama4 Mr. Uche Okeru5 Sir Charles Okeke6 Evang. Emeka Nwabia7 Lady Joy Emegakor8 Lady Elsie Ikemefuna9 Rev. Louis Ezenwata10 Rev. Samuel Ezewudo11 Mrs. Njide Onyekwelu12 Ven. R.U. C. Obiekwe

Facilitator: Ven. Felix EzeonyecheRapporteur: Rev. Canon Nathan Muonyelu

GROUP TEN

1 Rev. Johnny Amaizu2 Rev. Samuel Uzodinma3 Sir Nwudo-Odenigbo4 Dr. Sir Nath Okafor5 Dr. Mrs Vivan Onwukwe6 Sir Nnamdi Udemadu7 Sir Ifeanyi Ezeugo8 Rev. Chidi Onyetube

Facilitator: Ven. Dr. Obed UzoechinaRapporteur: Rev. Canon Chibueze Ezeibe

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SECRETARIAT/ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

1 Rt. Rev. Owen C. Nwokolo Convener

2 Ven. Ikechukwu Ihemtuge Facilitator

3 Rev. Canon Izuchukwu Obiekwe

4 Rev. Chigozie Anieto

5 Rev. Samuel Ezewudo Secretary

6 Rev. Mike Okoh

7 Bro. Emmanuel Omonogun

8 Bro. Edozie Ejeckam

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

1 Ven. Ikechukwu Ihemtuge Chairman

2 Ven Ndubisi Obi

3 Rev. Canon Izuchukwu Obiekwe

4 Barr. TagboAnieto

5 Bro. Emmanuel Omonogun

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