Commentary: Lion On The Niger, Tenth Year Episcopacy
Christian community in Anambra state and indeed the entire South East will, on Sunday, September 19, 2021, converge on the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha for the tenth year episcopal anniversary of the Right Reverend Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger, beginning at 10 am. Nigerians across all religious and political divides are coming to join in counting the blessings of this Missionary on the Niger, who has successfully navigated all parts of the diocese with the gospel of salvation, impacting millions of lives. Bishop Owen’s 10th year episcopal anniversary celebration shall begin with a thanksgiving Service, to be presided by the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria. Other highlights of the special event are the unveiling of Bishop Owen’s ten-year Achievements Compendium; Presentation of Awards to Distinguished individuals, and fund raising in support of the Proposed University On The Niger. Recipients of Bishop Owen’s Episcopal Awards include Chief Emeka Anyoku, former Secretary-General, Commonwealth, former governors, senators, distinguished administrators, captains and Generals in the manufacturing Sector. Also to be honored are political big wigs, who use their positions to touch lives. Special Guests of Honor are Governor Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike) and Prince Engineer Arthur Eze, OFR, Ozoigbondu. Bishop Owen, Captain in the Lord’s Marshal Train, the Missionary being celebrated, was, on
November 26, 2010 elected the Bishop on the Niger by the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He was consecrated on January 9, 2011 and enthroned on March 1, 2011 at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha. Right Reverend Dr. Owen Nwokolo, the Pride of the Church of Nigeria, has anchored great things for the Lord since his call to the ministry as the Bishop on the Niger. For instance, he established and is sustaining a mission outpost in faraway Togo. He also established a Micro Finance Bank, competing with commercial banks in resource mobilization. Bishop Owen, the Lion on the Niger, set up a first class high definition Radio/TV Station for the Diocese on the Niger. Equally, the Iyi Enu Mission Hospital has been transformed to a state of the art medical outfit and Center of medical excellence. Furthermore, under Bishop Owen’s Calvary Foundation, over 120 students are enjoying scholarships in various fields of learning in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad. He has equally turned all schools handed over to the Diocese on the Niger by government into centers of academic excellence. This great administrator per excellence has received various awards from organizations and institutions for his outstanding accomplishments and untiring quest for excellence in his chosen profession. Among the awards he received was the Special Honor Award by the Anambra State Government, in August, 2011, for being a Shining Light of our dear state and a model for our young people. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter. All the stakeholders in Anambra state and indeed South East are expected to join Bishop Owen on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha to advance the course of his Vision 2030. The vision will fully place on ground the Niger University project, designed to further give a boost to University education in the South East. Don’t miss this opportunity to identify with legacies of this great servant of God as millions of lives are touched. Archbishop and Metropolitan of All Nigeria is moving the Headquarters of the Church of Nigeria to Onitsha on Sunday for this great event. Bishop Owen is married to Dr. Elsie Nonyelum Nwokolo, an Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital. The marriage is blessed with children. To God be the glory.
WRITTEN BY SIR OSELLOKA OFFOH