Obi, Bishops, others urge Nigerian leaders to embrace sacrificial life of World’s 1st Black Bishop, Crowther

. From Felix Oti, Awka

             The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has called called on Nigerians  leaders especially political actors to emulate the sacrificial life of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther,  the the slave boy who became the  World's First Black Bishop (1864 - 1891).          

He spoke on the occasion of the 160th Anniversary of the Consecration of Crowther as a Bishop of Church of England on the West Africa Territories beyond the British Territorial Community named the Niger Territories (Niger Area) now Diocese on the Niger, Cutting of Tape of the Triangle and Unveiling of his status at All Saints Anglican Church, Onitsha, Anambra State weekend.

Obi who spoke on the sideline of the anniversary described Bishop Crowther as a wonderful missionary who impacted greatly on the spread of Christianity across West Africa.

The former Governor of Anambra State contended that the sacrificial life, energy and time the Bishop lived should be emulated, notwithstanding the hardship, stressing, “we should learn to sacrifice”.

In his remarks, the Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ndukuba said Bishop Crowther’s impactful life of evangelization and social, educational and cultural advancement are evidences that God destined him for greatness, adding that Onitsha remains central in Crowther’s life and history. Ndukuba observed: “Bishop Crowther was an evangelist with Christian character and tolerant.”.

Speaking shortly after he assisted Bishop Ndukuba to unveiling the Status, the initiator of the project and Bishop on the Niger, Bishop Owen Nwokolo appealed that the story of Bishop Crowther should. “inspire us to continue the work of spreading the. Gospel beyond the racial boundary, promptings justice.”.

Nwokolo pointed out that event reminds the people of the “rich heritage and continuous journey of faith that connects us across generations,” stressing tat the gathering strengthens the bonds, reaffirm our faith and renew our commitment to the mission of the Church.

He described Bishop Crowther as a remarkable man of faith whose consecration was a pivotal movement in the history of Christianity in West Africa, symbolising the new era in which gospel.message was deeply rooted and spread by a trail-blazer and served as a great inspiration and a catalyst for renewed dedication the ideals the Bishop stood for.”.

According to him, the First Lecture is a testament to our commitment to preserving the legacy of those who came before us while seeking to understand and address spiritual and social challenges of our time.

Contributing, the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim lamented that the sacrificial life Bishop Crowther lived is a great challenge to mankind and has disappeared from the Church, a situation he traced to current drift of young people towards idolatry. In the First Lecture, the Guest Lecturer and one-time Vice Chancellor of Samuel Crowther University Uyo, Cross River State,, Rt. Rev. Professor Dapo Asaju and the Second Speaker, Associate Professor Kanayo Nwadialor threw insights into the worthy, sacrificial and exemplary life and times of Bishop Crowther which legacies they said should be emulateted.