The second day of the 2026 Annual Retreat of the Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and their wives was marked by a holistic focus on spiritual renewal, physical health, and the urgent mandate for global missions.
Beginning with a Holy Communion Service at 7:00 a.m. to mark the Feast of the Epiphany, the day’s activities underscored the retreat’s theme of being “Prepared and Useful.” The service was presided over by the Most Rev’d Emmanuel Egbunu, Bishop of Lokoja, supported by other bishops and clergymen.

In a devotional charge titled “The Cleaned Vessel — Approved for Influence,” the Most Rev’d Edmund Akanya, bishop of Kebbi Diocese challenged the fathers of faith to prioritize internal sanctity over external appearances. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:14–21, the Archbishop illustrated his message with two lamps hanging in a chancel: one clean only on the outside, and the other clean both inside and out.

“The only one made ready for use is the one that is clean on the inside,” he declared, noting that just as the human body requires all parts (head, heart, and hands) to function, God’s work requires vessels that are internally purified to influence the world effectively.

The evening session shifted focus to physical well-being with a health talk delivered by the Rt. Rev’d Prof. Samuel O. Ike, Bishop of Enugu. Speaking on “The Syndrome of Sudden Death and What We Can Do,” the Bishop, a medical expert, defined the syndrome as unexpected death occurring within 24 to 48 hours in a person with no prior history of ill health.

Bishop Ike identified stress, hypertension, diabetes, and family history as major causes of sudden death in Sub-Saharan Africa. He strongly advised the bishops and their wives to prioritize healthy living and regular medical check-ups.

“It is not everything that we can use prayer to solve,” he cautioned. “Prayer is good, but knowing your status can also assist your prayers.” He concluded by encouraging participants to learn basic first aid principles to assist in emergencies.

The day concluded with a stirring presentation on “Global Mission Imperatives” by the Ven. Dr. Timothy Olonade. Speaking on “Why Missions Matter Now for Anglican Communion Leaders,” he argued that the Church must urgently transition from “maintenance mode” to becoming mission-focused.

Ven. Olonade revealed startling statistics, noting that over 3 billion people and 4,000 tribes globally still lack access to the Gospel. “This statistic should scare us and call us to concern,” he said. He emphasized that mission must not be an afterthought or limited to specific groups but must be the central driving force of every parish, archdeaconry, and diocese.

The session ended with a vote of thanks and closing prayer by the wife of the Primate, Mama Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba.