Fiery Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of the Enugu Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev. (Prof) Emmanuel Olisamedua Chukwuma, has retired from active pastoral work after over four decades of meritorious service in the Lord’s vineyard.
As a mark of honor to the first Bishop and Archbishop of the mainstream Christian denomination of Asaba extraction and remarkably a highly Asabacentric personality, the Asaba Development Union (ADU) worldwide, on Sunday, April 7, 2024, hosted him and his beloved wife, Joyce, to a reception in Asaba.
In his address on the occasion, the President-General of ADU (worldwide) and Okilolo of Asaba, Chief (Prof) Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said the celebration of the Archbishop, Bishop Emeritus, was predicated on eulogizing a great son of the land and presenting him as a role model and reference point to the younger generation desperately in need of motivators and influencers.
Prof Azinge noted that nothing less was good enough for a man who traversed the world, attained enviable heights and achieved accolades of matchless significance, describing the retired Bishop as an Asaba son of superlative accomplishments and distinction, a renowned shepherd of the flock and a voice of the voiceless, known for speaking truth to power.
While congratulating him for an enduring and endearing service in the Lord’s vineyard, characterized by an eventful, successful, glorious and trailblazing sojourn, the ADU PG, who is the Judge, Commonwealth Court of Arbitration, paid tribute to the late Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien, whom he said was a great friend and admirer of Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev (Prof) Emmanuel Chukwumah.
Responding, the retired Bishop said he was proud to be an Asaba man and thanked the Asaba Development Union (ADU) for welcoming him back home after several years of meritorious service to God and humanity.
Most Rev Chukwuma noted that the Asaba community had been greatly urbanized, with obvious implications on the socioeconomic life of the people and called on ADU and the traditional institution to work together to bring about reforms to certain cultures of the land, especially title taking, so as to engender respect for tradition.
The highlights of the event were the decoration of the Bishop Emeritus and his wife, Joyce, with the traditional Akwa Ocha and the presentation of plaques to them.
The ceremony was attended by the member representing the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ngozi Okolie, the member representing Oshimili South in the State Assembly, Hon Bridget Anyafulu, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev Obuh, his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Justus Mogekwu, the Vicar in charge of St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, Asaba, Rev. Monsignor Aduba, among other clergymen.
Also in attendance were the Obis, Olinzeles, Diokpas, members of the Otu Ihaza, Otu Odu, Okwulegwes, representatives of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, the Aguba and Egwu Ota dance groups, family members and friends of the Chukwuma family
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