By Praise Chinecherem
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former and current state governors, clergies and other dignitaries are expected to be at the burial of late Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion, Most Rev. Maxwell Samuel Chukwunweike Anikwenwa.
Director, Media and Communications, Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in a statement in Awka, also named Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze and other politicians and Diplomats as other personalities expected at the burial ceremony.
Odogwu, who doubles as Chairman of NUJ Anambra Sate Council, and Chairman of the Publicity sub-Committee of the burial, further announced that over 100 Archbishops and Bishops as well as hundreds of clergymen and captains of industries would grace the burial.
The statement reads, “Province on the Niger Anglican communion presided over by the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province on the Niger, and the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim PhD has announced the burial programmes of the late Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion, Late Most Reverend Maxwell Samuel Chukwunweike Anikwenwa.
“The remains of former Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Maxwell Samuel Chukwunweike Anikwenwa has begun its final home journey June 13th, 2023.
“A statement released by the Anikwenwa family jointly signed by the Archbishop Province of the Niger & Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander C. Ibezim Ph.D., Chairman planning committee of the burial, Dr. Emma Ezenwaji, and Ven. Uche Anikwenwa for the Family said the obsequies for Anikwenwa began with an evening of tributes which at the National Christian Centre Central Business District, Abuja Tuesday June 13 by 5pm, and at Paul University, Awka on Tuesday, June 27 at 11 am.
“The evening of tributes will be followed by Service of Songs, first, at St. James Church, Awkuzu on Sunday, June 25; at Church of the Pentecost, Awka on Monday, June 26 at 4 pm, respectively; and then at the Basilica of St. Andrew’s Onitsha at 5 pm.
“Wednesday, June 28 will be the lying in State at Archbishop Anikwenwa’s country home, Awkuzu at 1pm, while Commendation Service will be held at St. Peter’s Church, Awkuzu same day at 4:00 in the evening.
“Anikwenwa’s body will leave Iyienu mission hospital mortuary, Ogidi to Awka on Thursday, June 29 at 6am for lying in State at his Awka Residence Oikos Episcopos, No 1 Nnediogo Crescent by Demonstration Sch. Road, Ifite-Awka, Commissioner’s Quarters between 7 to 9 am.
“The funeral service for the late Archbishop of Province 11 and retired Bishop of Awka , late Anikwenwa will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, at 11 am., before his remains are moved to his native parish which is St. Peter’s Church, Awkuzu later in the evening for interment.
“Other activities will include Condolences at the late Archbishop’s Awkuzu residence (Amara Grace House), Awkuzu funeral Rites as well as condolences by the late Bishop’s in-laws at the same venue on Friday, March 30, 2023.
“The condolences will continue on Saturday, July 1, while burial activities will be concluded on Sunday, July 2nd, with an 8aM outing Service at St. Peters Church, Awkuzu.
“Recall that Anikwenwa’s demise occurred on March 13, as announced by the Secretary General of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop Anthony Poggo. He died at the age of 83.
“Archbishop Anikwenwa was the former Archbishop of Province II and the Retired Bishop of Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
“He was born in Anambra State in 1940, was educated at Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, and was ordained priest in December 1966.
“He was appointed the first Bishop of Awka in 1987, made Archbishop of Province 11, in 2000, and later Dean of the Church of Nigeria. He retired on 22 November 2010.”
