Religious leaders should speak courageously for the oppressed — Anglican Primate

• praises exceptional qualities of late Archbishop Anikwenwa

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has challenged religious leaders to emulate the qualities of the late Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, who was vocal and courageous in speaking for the oppressed in the society.

The Primate said that for over 80 years that the Archbishop Anikwenwa lived on earth, he dedicated the better part of his life time fighting for the welfare and wellbeing of the people and the Church of God.

The Primate told journalists at the Service of Song organized in honour the late Archbishop Anikwenwa, at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, that the Church and the downtrodden in the society would miss him because he was a committed and loud voice on any matter that concerns the poor and downtrodden and would herald improved standard of living for the less privileged in the society.

He said: “Unarguably, the life and times of late Archbishop Anikwenwa was full of memories and positive impacts on lives of the people. He was selfless and stood strong for what he believe in. He built and strengthen Anglican beliefs and did his work diligently for God and humanity.”

Most Rev. Ndukuba, however, confirmed that late Archbishop Anikwenwa, contributed greatly in building the Bible Society and other programmes that he introduced in his diocese that were replicated across other Anglican churches across the country.

“Archbishop Anikwenwa was bold, courageous and vocal especially on issues that promotes the church. He believed in justice and promoted justice in everywhere possible.

“We thank God for what we could learn from him. If we can stand for what he stood for, which was achieving practical impact of the Gospel pon individuals, families and the society, there’s no doubt that our society will be better.

“We could also see in him the desire to stand for the oppressed, speaking out boldly against any form of oppression. That is exactly what is lacking in the today’s leaders, religious and others. The Church has to stand for what he stood for so we can achieve a better society.”

Son of the late Archbishop, Venerable Uchechukwu Anikwenwa, in his remarks, described his late father as beacon of hope and light for the society.

He stated that the church and his family will miss late Archbishop Anikwenwa, and are working out things to immortalize him. “In addition to other things that might be done by the church and his family, we are going to erect a statue for him which he approved of before his death.

Meanwhile, there was several presentations from different Anglican churches in Abuja and beyond, as well as speeches from different people that have had different encounters with him that resulted in lasting experience in their lives.