By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Pioneer Bishop, Methodist Church Nigeria, Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Moses Onyekachi Nwakanma over the weekend paid a courtesy visit to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, at his office.
In his speech, the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Nwakanma stated that the visit was to inform the Vice-Chancellor that the Methodist Church now has a Diocese in Awka crafted out from Onitsha Diocese covering Awka, Orumba and Aguata.
According to him, before now Anambra was the only South East state without a bishop in the state capital
Bishop Nwakanma also revealed that the new Diocese of Awka will be officially inaugurated in a special programme expected to hold between 26th to 28th April 2023.
The clergy thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the entire University community for the help rendered and support given to him before now as the Chaplain of the Chapel of Glory (Interdenominational) church and that of the institution.
He also prayed for the Vice-Chancellor, his entire management team and the University for growth, accelerated development and positive results through the vision of “Project 200” of the present administration under the leadership of Prof. Esimone.
In his reaction, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, welcomed the new bishop and the entire Methodist Church for the honour done to him via the courtesy call.
Prof. Esimone expressed gratitude to God for his uncommon grace to Bishop Nwakanma which is having a latent effect in the institution.
Prof. Esimone opined that God has ordained the right person for the enormous work in his vineyard and Bishop Nwakanma is the man who the cap fits for the assignment.
The Chief Servant of the institution also said that the institution will be there during the inauguration and will support the programmes and activities of the church when the institution is being called upon.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the Methodist Church, Sir Sunday Okpe thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the institution for the immense assistance stating that the entire Methodist Church are grateful for the show of love and support enjoyed thus far.
He stated that Prof. Esimone had brought the light which can be seen with the transformation being witnessed in the institution, and prayed that the successor of Prof. Esimone when his tenure winds down would be one who will sustain the momentum set by the present leader.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, in a vote of thanks on behalf of the institution thanked Bishop Nwakanma and the entire Methodist Church for coming to pay homage to the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. Ikechebelu emphasized that already that there is an existing bond between the institution and the Methodist Church which will now wax stronger with the advent of Rt. Rev. Nwakanma as the bishop.
Ikechebelu urged the church to continue to pray for the institution while reassuring them of their support and necessary assistant in their programmes and activities.
A special prayer for the leadership of the institution and the entire University Community formed the high points of the courtesy visit.
