30 October 2008
Lagos — Activities marking the centenary celebrations of the Igbo-Ukwu/Oraeri Anglican Communion, Anambra state, will climax Sunday, November 2 as the Anglican community in the ancient town round off a week-long of activities commemorating the 100 years of the gospel in the land started by the CMS (Anglican Church) in 1908.
The Igbo-Ukwu Anglican Communion under the Diocese of Aguata was founded by the Christian Missionary Society (CMS) in 1908 and had since then spread from one mud building in 1912 when the first church building was erected to seven modern church buildings that includes ultra-modern church, a mission hospital, and a post-primary institution.
Speaking on the event, chairman, centenary celebrations, Mr. Okechukwu Anigbogu, said the Igbo-Ukwu/Oraeri Anglican Communion would use the occasion of the celebrations to honour late Catechist Joseph Okechukwu Umeweni, the founder of the Anglican Church in Igbo-Ukwu.
According to Anigbogu, late Umeweni along with nine others will receive the 'Heroes of Faith' award on Sunday, in addition to another set of 16 men to be honoured with the 'Church Militant' award, for not only their 'outstanding contribution to the church and humanity but also as some of the church pillars whose history will be recorded in the next 100 years and whose efforts will give flavour to the 2108 celebrations by the communion.'
Highlight of the celebrations will be the honouring of the only surviving child of the founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Anozie (nee Umeweni), who will be decorated.
"Both the posthumous and that of the militant awards will obviously serve as a source of inspiration to encourage us to rise and take up responsibilities in the service of the Lord as missionary nurses, the Christian physician, whether one is a farmer or professional. These award recipients are some of the people, the key actors whose efforts we are enjoying today," said Anigbogu.
Anigbogu who prayed that the celebrations should serve as a catalyst that will transform the Igbo-Ukwu people, therefore expressed the hope that the first one hundred years of evangelical mission in the land 'should bring about the type of behaviour in the lives of the people that pleases God.'
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