Soludo, 150 Anglican bishops, others for Bishop Ajayi Crowther’s 160th Consecration Anniversary in Onitsha today
By Felix Oti, Awka.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo will join no fewer than
150 Bishops and other distinguished dignitaries of the All Saints’ Church, Onitsha for celebration of 160th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Bishop Samuel Ajai Crowther, the first ever black Bishop who brought gospel and Christianity to Nigeria.
The highpoint of the event which hold today, will witness he unveiling of a giant statue in honour of Bishop Crowther ‘s significant sacrifices in driving the progressive wheels of CMS in 1857 when Nigeria was launched into the orbit of civilization.
The Director of Communications of the, Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Sir Oseloka Offor told.newsmen in a statement he issued yesterday noted that “Anambra State and precisely Onitsha Commercial City will stand stil today for the man who made huge sacrifices driving the wheels of CMS In 1857 to launch Nigeria Into the orbit Of civilization.
The statement reads in part:
“Bishop Samuel Ajai Crowther, the first ever black Bishop brought the Gospel and Christianity to this part of the world..
“…The Anglican Communion of Nigeria is giving honour to whom honor is due, as Bishop Crowther brought Light & Education to our world. A Giant Statue wil be unveiled in his honor in Onitsha as his Milestones underscored his unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of humanity .
“Diocese on the Niger therefore occupies the premier position in Nigeria as the launching pad for all the coordinated missionary exploits in parts of Nigeria and beyond,” the statement added.
The Bishop, according to him, made important linguistic contributions, publishing a Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language, and later translating the Bible and The Book of Common Prayers into the Yoruba language. Crowther returned to England in 1851 to promote his missionary work
