Diocese of Ogoni Marks 19th Year Anniversary

Faithful of the Diocese of Ogoni Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) have marked the 19th year anniversary of the diocese as well as the launch of a N2billion funds for Cathedral Building/ Thanksgiving Service for the inauguration, election/ consecration and enthronement of the pioneer bishop.
Preaching during the event over the weekend at All Saints Cathedral Church, Bori, bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Solomon Gberegbara said that despite the high cost of building materials, particularly cement, the cathedral building would be completed and dedicated in good time.
Bishop Gberegbara who made reference to the Book of Nehemiah 2: 17 – 20, stated that when you support the construction of the house of the Lord, God would build your house and family.
“When you build the house of god, God will build your family and God will also give you in return what you support the house of God with. In fact, God will bless you with His Kingdom as well as protect you from evil,” Bishop Gberegbara emphasized.
He pointed out that since the creation of the diocese about 19 years ago, the leadership of the church has planted about 64 churches.
“Under my leadership as the bishop, Diocese of Ogoni, we have planted about 64 new churches. When we started the journey of this diocese, we had about 23 pastors but today, we have about 80 pastors. Besides, we now have several primaries and colleges within the diocese.”
Bishop Gberegbara explained that under the Anglican Communion there was nothing wrong with Anglican faithful going to another diocese to receive knighthood.
“Anybody from another diocese can be a knight in another Anglican diocese provided they are supporting the work of God. So, I also want to inform you that as part of our 19 years anniversary, we consecrated about 12 pastors and 33 persons as knights and dames. The spiritual implication of this is that it will strengthen the diocese,” Bishop Gberegbara asserted.
He lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his team for their support to the diocese, assuring him that the faithful of the Diocese will continue to pray for the government of the day in the state.
Also speaking, chairman of the Cathedral building/ Launching Planning Committee, Dr. Aborlo Kennedy Nkporbu said the mandate of the committee and faithful of the diocese is to raise N2billion for the completion of the Cathedral of the Diocese, pointing out that planning for the programme commenced about four months ago.
Dr. Nkporbu assured that under the leadership of Bishop Gberegbara, the cathedral would be completed and dedicated.
The medical practitioner stated that with the level of endowment in the area and spate of evangelism, there was need to have a befitting place of worship for the diocese.
“With the level of endowment, the Ogonis should have a befitting place of worship. Furthermore, the Ogoni Diocese was created as a missionary diocese tasked with relentless evangelism. Critical part of evangelism is the provision of a befitting place of worship.”
He lauded members of the cathedral building and launching planning committee for their time and effort.
Secretary of the committee, Sir. Eredum Charles Mbea, said Rt. Rev. Gberegbara had the capacity to lead the diocese of Ogoni to a greater height. He described the bishop as a good leader.
He charged the knights of the diocese to use their new positions to support the bishop and the work of the cathedral. “As an old knight, I want to advise the new knights and their ladies to use their position to work for the cathedral evangelism as well as support Bishop Gberegbara,” Sir Mbea stated.
The theme for the 19th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Ogoni is, ‘Let Us Arise and Build’ Nehemiah 2:18.