St. Michael and All Angel Nwafia Sets to Host 2021 Awka Diocesan Synod

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The members and clerics of St Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church Nawfia have registered their readiness to host the 2021 Awka Anglican Diocesan Synod in a most laudable standard.

The Diocesan Synod Central Planning Committee Chairman, Sir Dr. Emma Ezenwaji disclosed this while hosting newsmen to a press conference in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra state, during which he also revealed that a lot of commitments have been made in putting both material and logistics requirements in place for a successful synod.

According to him, the synod which is the 2nd session of the 12th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, will make it the 38th synod of the diocese and another round being hosted by the church after it played host to the 2009 synod. He explained that the synod will hold between Friday 7 to Sunday 9 May, 2021, with over 100 bishops, 4 ministers, 3 governors, over 15 governorship aspirants in the fortcoming election in the state, and over 2500 delegates expected to grace the occasion.

He said, “It is going to be a very big gathering. We’re also expecting the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the wife, Mrs Ebelechukwu at the occasion, as you all know that this would be the last synod he'll be attending in the Awka Diocese (as a governor). Delegates from 89 parishes and 17 archdeaconry would also be in attendance.

“The synod will open with the opening service and plenary session to discuss important issues in the dioceses, while the Archbishop, Ecclesiastic Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Alexander Ibezim will deliver and launch his presidential address on Saturday.

“Sunday 9th will be the Synod Thanksgiving where the delegates will thank God for his mercies. We expect that this year will be a remarkable one as adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the synod.”

Explaining the theme of the 2021 synod, "Expanding Our Ministerial Coast – Implications for the Ordained and the Laity", the Synod Clerical Secretary in the Diocese, Venerable Clement Mgbemena noted that the theme was drawn from Luke 5: 1-13 and Isaiah 54: 1-8, and would be further dissected at the synod.

While explaining that synod is an annual event which comes in three sessions for one synod, Ven. Mgbemena also explained that event would benefit both the Nawfia Community, the diocese community, the entire humanity and society at large in many ways.

In their separate remarks, the Host Archdeacon and Vicar of St. Michael's and All Angel’s Anglican Church, Nawfia, Venerable Ifeanyi Umeh, revealed that they were planning to host the best synod so far in Awka Diocese; while his wife, Mrs Lovelyn Ifeanyi-Umeh appreciated God for the opportunity to host the 2021 synod, even as she reassured of women's readiness for the synod.

Earlier in a remark, the 2021 synod Local Organising Committee Chairman, Mr. Obinna Etele who counted it a privilege to play host to the synod, highlighted some of their preparations already put in place, and noted that the community was very secure and ready for the event."

“Nawfia is well secured and ready to host the synod. A lot of commitment has been put in because we’re not unmindful of the security situation in the state and the country at large. But we have put serious measures in place to ensure a successful synod.

On his own part, the Chairman, Diocesan Protocols, Sir Sunny Nworah Okoye assured that the synod would be done under strict compliance to the general COVID-19 protocols.

In a vote of thanks, Sir Nworah Etele  thanked the members of the planning committee and the entire Nawfia Anglican community for their commitments and sacrifices so far, and expressed optimism that the synod would turn out to be the best so far, as the community is always known for setting good examples.