(BY NGOZI ADIGHIBE)

The Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, Primate Metropolitan and Bishop of Abuja Anglican Diocese has expressed gratitude to the leadership and people of All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse, Abuja for the building of the deanery quarters, because according to him, this will hasten the rural ministry of the diocese. The Primate made this known at the dedication of the Vicarage of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Katampe 1, Abuja.

In his brief address, Archbishop Okoh described the work done as magnificent; adding that the beauty of the place must be maintained by whoever is asked to live in the building. He pointed out that the building of the vicarage is intended to be an encouragement to the Priest that will be posted there and also an incentive to him, to work hard as a lot of effort was put in the building of the vicarage. He humorously said that the person sent there ought to pray well, because the house is facing a hill, but also admonished that whoever is posted there should not get carried away and feel relaxed, forgetting his assignment in that community.

Primate Okoh stated that the Church should look forward to becoming an Archdeaconry and therefore, any Priest sent there must realize that there was no time to be lazing around. He warned that any Priest posted there must work or be removed. The Cleric also admonished the family that would reside in that building to live up to standards and maintain the beauty of the place, because there were others who were going to live there and a lot of efforts had been put in to ensure that the place turned out well. The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh concluded with a prayer that God will bless all who worked to ensure that the place was completed, especially the members of the All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse, Abuja and that the house will be a center of peace and not controversy.

High points of the event were the dedication of the various rooms in the Vicarage by the Primate and Priests of the Diocese of Abuja, and the reading of the history of the Church by the Registrar of the diocese, Barr. Mrs. Kehinde Ajoni. Also present at the dedication were members of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Katampe, members of and the choir of All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse and well wishers.