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By Moses Akaigwe
When a popular prophet, Rev. Isaac Ugboaja, who was the founder and General Overseer of Christian Life Gospel Assembly (CLGA), returned to his maker on October 23, 2022, devastated members of the church across the world mourned the huge loss like the humans they are.
But they did not grieve like unbelievers without hope. Tears flowed but they did not bewail hopelessly like a flock without a shepherd.
This was simply because, as it was in the biblical exodus from Egypt when Joshua picked the leadership mantle on the journey to the Promised Land upon the death of Moses, Apostle Samuel Chukwunenye Nwaire, the deputy general overseer, played Joshua by ensuring there was no void.
And, like Joshua or Elisha, Nwaire, a prominent power industry chieftain and currently the chairman/CEO, Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC), assumed the mantle and successfully shepherded the Christian Life flock as the D.G.O. until June 22, 2024, when he was formally installed the substantive general overseer.
Predictably, the installation ceremony held at the church headquarters, located at the Oke-Afa area of Isolo in Lagos, was witnessed by dignitaries from various walks of life.
Besides his kinsmen from Imo State, the friends he made when he served as the Special Adviser, Power and Energy to Gov. Hope Uzodinma, as well as associates from all over the country, witnessed the installation.
The long list of very important guests included Uzodimma, who was represented by Dr. Patrick Uzoma; President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero; members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN), Fellowship of Frontline Apostles and Prophets (FFAPP) and members of Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship (FGBMF) International.
Also present were a one-time senatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Imo North Senatorial Zone, Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu; representative of Igbo ministers, Apostle (Dr) Solomon Okorie; and their western coordinator, Rev. Dr. Charles Idu; as well as district coordinator of Full Business Mens Bible Fellowship, Rev. Ayo Badejo.
To prepare Nwaire for the actual installation as the general overseer, he was made to pass through the crucible of an oral examination and he answered all the questions posed to him satisfactorily to confirm his commitment to his new office.
After words of exhortations by Pastor Victor Samuel, Nwaire was presented to the assembly by Pastor Paul Adiukwu as Apostle-elect. He was thereafter and finally consecrated officially into the office of an apostle.
Shortly after the consecration, which featured the pouring of oil on his head, Nwaire was installed as the new general overseer of CLGA and decorated with robe and vestments befitting his new office.
The elevation, which was conducted by the CLGA in collaboration with the Fellowship of Frontline Apostles and Prophets led by Presiding Prelate FFAP and Chairman PFN, Lagos State, Apostle Enyinnaya Emeka Okwuonu, elicited admirations from the congregation.
During the consecration, Apostle Okwuonu declared Nwaire as an apostle, saying: “We are here to consecrate our brother officially as an apostle. You are at this stage being consecrated. You are by this consecration qualified to carry out some sacred activities such as weddings, marriages and baptism, among others.”
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The PFN president counselled the new general overseer, saying: “As a minister of God, you are not the boss but a servant, leader, peacemaker and solution provider among others. By this consecration, you have the cooperation of God to restore life in the ministry.”
Apostle Nwaire’s installation was quickly followed by the ordination of his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Cecilia Onyemazuwa Nwaire, who was robed accordingly. In his post-installation remarks, Nwaire thanked all the guests present, saying: “Today, I just want to say that Psalm 103:1 to 2 captures my thoughts. I want to tell you that all I can do now is to praise and thank God for giving me the opportunity to stand here today and receive these blessings.
“And because I have received this ordination here today, I will only stand here also to declare blessings upon everyone today.
I have been permitted here today to declare blessings. I want to thank God who allowed me and my wife to come and do this. I also praise God for the clement weather we have today. Before you, I want to say that we have accepted to be the servants of Christian Life Gospel Assembly. As I do that, I declare that God, who made it possible for me, will visit you all also.”
He did not forget to give special recognition to Pastor (Mrs.) Stella Ugboaja, the widow of his predecessor, Rev. Isaac Ugboaja, disclosing that the two families have come a long since the inception of the church decades ago in another location in Isolo, Lagos.
In a soul-stirring sermon before the installation, the founder/general overseer, Christ Anointed Family Chapel, and Father of Ministry, Bishop Abraham James, advised the CLGA congregation to give the new general overseer unalloyed support and encouragement.
Speaking on the topic: ‘The dawning of a new glory’, Bishop Abraham declared, “Moses is dead, Joshua is rising”, adding: “In the ministry, we are to do a continuation of the work of God and not competition.”
Addressing Apostolic Nwaire, he said: “You are not here to do better than Moses, but to do your best.” And to the church members, he called for full loyalty to the new shepherd, even as he counselled against comparisons which will not enhance progress.
Bishop James added: ‘If you are expecting the new G.O. to be 100 per cent the old G.O., you will be getting it wrong. It can never be the same, but it will get better. God cannot be with two general overseers at a time. You must forget former things and you must not dwell in the past. Loyalty has changed. If you have loyalty for Moses and not for Joshua, it is wrong.”
One of the highpoints of the ceremony was the ordination of other pastors, deacons, deaconesses and evangelists who were expected to accord enormous support to the new helmsman in order to keep the church marching on.
In what was obviously a spontaneous decision, Comrade Joe Ajaero was invited to the altar where Apostle Okwuonu and Bishop Abraham led other pastors and the congregation to pray for him. The fervent prayers, according to Apostle Okwuonu, were in recognition of the heavy burden of Nigerian workers that the labour leader was carrying on his shoulders.
Born 60 years ago in Otukpo, Benue State, Apostle Nwaire hails from Umuduru-Ikperejere in the Ihite Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
He joined the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in 1980 where he worked for about five years and proceeded to the University of Lagos and obtained both a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.SC) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) after which he was re-absorbed by NEPA.
His distinguished career saw him rise through the ranks till he left the now unbundled NEPA as the Chief Operating Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, in 2019.
He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and is pursuing a master’s degree in Church Management.
