…Ex President Obasanjo, Obi, Enugu State Gov. attend Valedictory Church Service

By Amaechi Agbo

The Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Enugu Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Chukwuma, has retired from active episcopal service as a shepherd of the church.

Rev Chukwuma’s over three decades of service to humanity in his capacity as a shepherd of the flock came to an end on Sunday, January 14, 2024 during a Valedictory Church Service held at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu.

In attendance during the service were prominent Nigerians including the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; Labour Party Presidential candidate at the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi; Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah, among others.

Rev Chukwuma has been a bishop since 1990, having served in Bauchi, Gombe and Enugu dioceses. He replaced Bishop Gideon Otubelu as Enugu Bishop in 1998.

The Thanksgiving service served three purposes – First, it marked the 34th Lordship of His Grace, Marked also his 70th Birthday and also served as his farewell service as a bishop to the church.

Obasanjo calls for hope amidst difficult situations

Speaking during the service, former president Obasanjo praised the enomous achievements the retiring Bishop achieved for the church and humanity and called on Nigerians not to lose hope despite difficult challenges in the country.

“Let me say this, you will be retiring but you are not tired. But more importantly for me, because if you do not serve humanity you cannot serve God and part of the work you have to do in the vineyard of God is service for Nigeria.

“So retired you will be but not tired and not out of job. Let me say this, I sought your advice this morning on the issue of security and you gave me a wonderful piece of advice. As they say in my part of the world I put it on my left palm so that I won’t use the right palm and eat it up. There are so many areas that this country will still need your service, I appeal to you never, never shy or relent from rendering such service, he said.

On the state of the nation, Obasanjo who was Nigeria’s President for eight years, 1999 to 2007, said “let us not deceive ourselves, Nigeria is not what it should be. And for you and for me and for many that are here who are your age and above, we should thank God because this is a country where, if you are able to live up to the age of 50, you are lucky. With Boko Haram, with kidnapping, with IPOB, with banditry or whatever they call them, there’s so much that can take your life when you least expected. And now there is poverty raging, I was told that the rate of suicide has increased.

“One of my friends looking after a hospital with mental health said the number of people now coming to the hospital has increased, because they are worried about what they will eat, about security for themselves, for their family and their community.

“Let me say this, in spite of the bad situation we are in, as Christians we should never lose heart and we should never lose hope. To lose hope is to give up and there is no giving up in the vineyard of God. We must persevere, we must persist, we must go on until at first we complete the race and then we wait for the crown when we meet our creator.”

On his part, the Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Ndubisi Mbah, represented by his Deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, lauded the tireless efforts of the archbishop in promoting peace, unity and love within and beyond

“As a shepherd and leader, Archbishop Chukwuma’s tireless efforts in promoting peace, unity and love within and beyond the Anglican faithful in Enugu has been evident since his appointment as Bishop of Enugu Diocese.

“Though he bids farewell to active episcopal service, his unwavering commitment to faith and goodwill leaves an indelible mark on the countless people who have encountered him over the years.

“I congratulate Archbishop Chukwuma as he marks 34 years in the episcopacy while wishing him a peaceful retirement,” Governor Mbah said.

In his farewell sermon, Rev Chukwuma lamented that corruption and bad governance has affected the people of the country negatively but called for hope, “But in all there is hope for Nigeria,” he said.

Archbishop Chukwuma’s Biography

His Grace, Archbishop Professor Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma was born on 15 January, 1954 in Asaba, Delta State.

After secondary school, he trained to become a teacher. He graduated in Theology from Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, was ordained in 1981 and served at Christ Church, Ibadan.

He was elected as Archbishop of Enugu at the 11th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, held at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu, in September 2014.