Henry Ndukuba, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has urged the newly consecrated bishops of the church to embody the true spirit of shepherding, following the example of Christ, the ‘Chief Shepherd.’
Ndukuba gave this charge during the recent episcopal service, where 15 newly elected bishops were consecrated at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
“Be a shepherd and not a wolf. Feed the flock and do not devour them. Seek the lost, uphold the weak, restore health to the sick, lift the downtrodden, ensure discipline but forget not mercy,” Ndukuba charged the new bishop.
Edmund Akanya, the bishop of Kebbi Diocese, in a message drawn from Matthew 5:13–16, urged the new bishops to be beacons of light in their various dioceses. He also reminded the newly consecrated bishops of the need to maintain their spiritual integrity.
“Guard your spiritual relevance. Do not allow money, sexual temptation, or the influence of powerful people to compromise your calling or diminish your authority. Let your life shine boldly for Christ, standing for truth, purity, humility, love, and holiness.”
Akanya concluded his sermon with Philippians 2:13, urging the new bishops to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” and to live so that their ministry will be a testimony in the years ahead.
The first procession featured the Crucifer I, the choir, lay readers, and clergy, as the congregation joyfully sang “Sing Alleluia Forth in Duteous Praise.”
The second procession followed, comprising Crucifer II, Canons, Archdeacons, Provosts, Chancellors, Registrars, and other legal luminaries of various dioceses, along with the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria.
Read also: Anglican bishop-elects, Archbishops for consecration September 16
Then came the Primatial Procession, which included Crucifer III, the Bishops-Elect each attended by their chaplains, the Bishops of the Church, the Registrar, Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria, Provincial Archbishops, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, the Consecration Service Preacher, and the Primate.
During the procession, hymns such as Sing Alleluia Forth in Duteous Praise, Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise, and The Church’s One Foundation, were rendered, giving the ceremony a solemn and liturgical atmosphere.
The 15 bishops are The Rt. Rev. Samuel Ogunmiluyi, The Rt. Rev. Francis Bankole, The Rt. Rev. Boma Briggs, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Adewole Ajayi, The Rt. Rev. Richard N. Okpara, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Idume, The Rt. Rev. Bode Otenaike, The Rt. Rev. David Michson, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Dajur, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Luka B. Allu, The Rt. Rev. Ifeanyi Akunna, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Familoni, and The Rt. Rev. Solomon Adewumi, The Rt. Rev. Rika G. Ibrahim and The Rt. Rev Dr. Ayuba Kanta, who were all elected during the Church’s Standing Committee meeting held on 18 September 2025, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
