By Praise Chinecherem
Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi has called on every Nigerian to acquire and develop qualities first Bishop in Africa and pioneer Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Ajayi Crowther represented.
Obi gave the advice during the church service to mark the end of activities lined up to celebrate 160th years of the consecration of Crowther.
Speaking through one of his principal aids, Hon Azuka Enemuo, former Governor of Anambra State also called on the citizens to always pray that the New Nigeria they sought after would come in their time.
He 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.
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Henry Ndukuba has called on christians to aspire for God’s applause to avert eternal condemnation.
He encouraged them to be diligent and focused in their spiritual journey.
Ndukuba also appealled to christians to emulate the person of first Bishop in Africa and the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger, Ajayi Crowther.
The Primate who was represented by Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Emmanuel Egbunu, said, “I want to challenge us to be people who go for heaven’s applause.
“Having man’s commendations without heaven’s applause brings eternal condemnation. We need God’s commendation more than man’s applause.
“Today there is a need for people who will serve like Ajayi Crowther. 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.
“As we celebrate the person like Ajayi Crowther, whose ministry was a ministry of great passion, may God rekindle your passion in the name of Jesus.”
While commending the Bishop on the Niger, Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo for initiating and executing the anniversary, the Primate encouraged him not to relent in his present drive for the dissemination of the Gospel.
Governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo described virtues of Bishop Crowther as ideals which he said christians should genuinely aspire for.
“Crowther lived a life without boundaries, a life that knew no bounds, no discrimination, and lived for others.
“Where is the Ajayi Crowther in you as you deal with others?”, the governor queried.
Responding, Bishop Nwokolo expressed 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.
