The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has elected four new bishops to oversee dioceses in different parts of the country following the conclusion of its Episcopal Synod held during the Advance Episcopal Consultation in Port Harcourt.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, at the end of the synod’s proceedings at Our Saviour’s Chapel, University of Port Harcourt.
A statement issued by the Church’s Director of Communications, Ven. Raphael A. Aderinwale, identified the newly elected bishops as Ven. Dr. Godwin Tersoo Simon Yakela for the Diocese of Makurdi, Ven. Dr. Kingsley Ogbonda for the Diocese of Uyo, Ven. Dr. Julius Oyediran for the Diocese of Ekiti Oke, and Ven. Dr. Olayemi Fatusi for Awori Diocese.
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Speaking on the outcome of the elections, the Primate said, “The elections were concluded after prayerful deliberations by the bishops during the Episcopal Synod.”
He also announced that “the bishops-elect will be consecrated during the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, scheduled to hold in The Diocese of Remo in September.”
The elections mark the completion of the church’s process for appointing new episcopal leaders for the four dioceses.
According to the church, the bishops-elect will be responsible for providing spiritual leadership in their dioceses, advancing evangelism, and strengthening the Anglican Communion within their respective jurisdictions.
The Primate also urged members of the church to keep the newly elected bishops in their prayers, calling on them to “continually uphold these fathers in God in their prayers, asking the Almighty God to grant them wisdom, strength, good health, humility, and the grace to faithfully discharge the responsibilities of the episcopal office to the glory of His Holy Name.”