….embarks on N100 million project fund raising
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) is set to inaugurate His Grace, Most Rev Dr David Okechukwu Chikezie Onuoha as it’s 21st National President.
The event, which is slated for Sunday, April 30, 2023, will see the revered minister of God officially presented to the body of Christ at the Cathedral Church of Transfiguration (CATOL) Owerri, Imo State.
Most Rev Dr Onuoha will be presented as the 21st President of the 93 years old Nigeria’s foremost ecumenical body.
In a release made available to journalists at the national secretariat in Lagos by the Executive Secretary of CCN, Very Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara on Friday, the ceremony is tagged: “Formal Presentation of His Grace Most Dr Rev David O.C Onuoha as CCN 21st Indigenous President and the Dedication of National Office Bearers”.
Speaking on the level of preparedness for this evangelical outreach to Imo state, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), The Rt. Rev Dr Chukwuma Oparah said that the event, which would begin at 10:00 a.m, would have the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma as the special Guest of Honour.
The Chief Host shall be His Grace, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
The immediate past president of CCN, Most Rev.Dr. Benebo Fubara Manuel, other past presidents, present and past national officials shall be in Owerri for the epoch-making event.
According to the LOC chairman Bishop Opara who is also the Anglican Bishop of Owerri Diocese the host diocese, the event has as it’s special feature, launch of N100 million appeal fund for project development phase 1.
Archbishop Onuoha, who is the Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and Bishop of the Diocese of Okigwe South in Imo state, was elected the 21st president of CCN last November, 2022 , at the 31st General Assembly/ 93rd Anniversary of the Council which took place at the St Andrew’s Basilica, Trans-Ekulu Enugu.
In his media statement, Rev. Onyemara stated that CCN as the foremost ecumenical body of the Christian Church in Nigeria, was founded in 1929, to reposition itself for greater engagement and impact in ecumenism and national affairs with the aim of promoting cooperation and unity among Christians.
Stating, “Archbishop Onuoha, a teacher/preacher of the gospel, astute administrator and renowned theologian is coming at a time the church (body of Christ) in Nigeria and the world over needs genuine rebirth.
“Since his election last November leading up to the last general elections in Nigeria, Bishop Onuoha has engaged Christians in the North and other parts of the country on participation in election and spoke lucidly against thuggery and vote buying; precisely at an interreligious conference of CCN on the 25th of February in Jos, Plateau state with the theme: “The Role of Religious Leaders in Preventing Electoral Violence in Nigeria”.
“Archbishop Onuoha has no doubt continued to bring to the front burner those visions of founding fathers of CNN as well as pushing forward the plans of his successor which include political sensitization and election monitoring as bequeathed to him.
“Undoubtedly, 93 years together as churches of different determination is a cheering way of worshipping and reverencing God which indeed is a colourful vitality in the maintenance of unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,” he emphasised.
CCN is one of the five church groups or blocks of Christian Association of Nigeria( CAN) formed in 1976.
The blocks are; Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) made up of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), made up of the following churches: The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Methodist Church Nigeria, The Nigerian Baptist Convention, The African Church, The Salvation Army,
Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide, First African Church Mission,
Other member churches are, United Evangelical Church (Qua Iboe), African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, African Episcopal Church, United African Methodist Church, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide and First African Gospel Mission.
The Student Christian Movement, Christ Church Beulah, Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Young Men Christian Association( YMCA) and other organizations are associate members of CCN.
The CAN block also has in it’s fold Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) /Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
Another block of CAN, African Instituted Churches is made up of Churches founded by Nigerians (Africans) in Nigeria. These Churches have their origin in Nigeria (Africa).
Finally, ECWA – Evangelical Church of West Africa (Former Sandan Interior Missions) which had root in Northern Nigeria and Tekan – Denominations based in Northern Nigeria such as COCIN, HKAN NKST, Christian Assemblies, LCCN etc.
The tenure of the president runs for three years and renewable for another three years.
