(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

A new Primate has been elected for the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. He is the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Jos and the lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe.

According to the Dean of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Buba Lamido who made the official announcement, the current Primate, the Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh has served for almost 10 years and by the 25^th of March, 2020, he would have completed his ten years tenure as the Primate.

He explained that the advisory committee conveyed to discuss the qualifications of the new Primate to be elected and sent in their advice to the Episcopal Synod; after which the Episcopal Synod sat down, under God and elected a new Primate.

The election of a new Primate was presided over by the Registrar for the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Barr. Abraham Yisa and the election produced the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba who will succeed the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh upon the completion of his tenure on 24^th of March 2020.

Archbishop Lamido expressed gratitude to God that the election was successful and peaceful. He said, “The election was successful and peaceful; though not without challenges as with any elections. But glory be to God, the Church came together and unanimously elected a successor.”

He urged the Church to continue to pray for the new Primate and concluded with an announcement to the Church, the Anglican Communion and worldwide that there is a new Primate-elect, who takes over from March 25, 2020.

Meanwhile, two new Archbishops have been elected to occupy two vacant positions in the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Ondo and Aba in the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

The two elected Archbishops are, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Omotunde, Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti for the Ecclesiastical Province of Ondo and the Rt. Rev. Isaac Nwaobia, Bishop of Diocese of Isialangwa-South for the Ecclesiastical Province of Aba.