Aguata Diocese of the Anglican Communion is twenty years today. The Diocese which was carved out from the old Awka Diocese ranks ninety-sixth in the one hundred and sixty-one Dioceses in the Church of Nigeria. It was inaugurated by the then Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, on fourth September, 2005 at the Cathedral Church of Saint John, Ekwulobia.
Following its inauguration, Right Reverend Christian Efobi was translated from Yola Diocese and enthroned as pioneer Bishop with his wife, Dame Jane of blessed memory as the president of women’s ministry. The Diocese has since grown to fifteen Archdeaconries from the initial five inherited.
Bishop Efobi set the tone of development in the Diocese. He built All Saint’s Seminary, Ekwulobia, remodelled Saint Mary’s the Virgin Convent, Ufuma inherited from the old Awka Diocese including other schools and diocesan hospital at Umunze,
Saint Peter’s Church, Ndiukwuenu and Saint John’s Church, Ndiokolo.
The Women’s Ministry under the pioneer president, Dame Jane, established Lampada Water, Aguluezechukwu, built hospital and maternity at Igboukwu, garri processing factory at Okpeze, and some structures at All Saint’s Seminary, Ekwulobia. Bishop Efobi also served the Church of Nigeria as Dean and Archbishop of Province of the Niger before retiring on thirty-first January, 2018, at the mandatory retirement age of seventy.
On April third 2018, Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor was translated from Ogbaru Diocese and enthroned as the second bishop of the diocese with his wife, Chinyere as the president of the women’s Ministry.
Following his enthronement, Bishop Ezeofor rolled out his four point agenda anchored on promoting discipleship, family life, human and physical development as well as robust evangelism.
In pursuance of the spiritual growth of members of the diocese, Bishop Ezeofor introduced series of programmes including, “Fresh Grace From Above”, “Worship and Word” conference, “Beracha Night of Glory”, “Open Heaven” Potter’s Wheel and a radio programme on ABS, “Moment of Grace” that comes on air every Sunday by half past five in the evening. Bishop Ezeofor also inaugurated the Aguata Diocesan palace ministry, Octo-nonagenarian ministry, abroad and diaspora ministry in addition to presenting Aguata Diocesan vision statement.
Bishop Ezeofor who is also the National Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, EFAC, Nigeria, has dedicated an ultramodern diocesan secretariat at Ekwulobia, Gosifechukwu Micro finance Bank, construction of an ultramodern building for the expansion of Aguata Diocesan Printing Press at Oko and commencing work at the Diocesan Church and Conference Center at Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area.
Under the women’s ministry, the president, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor, is working closely with the Vice Presidents of various women’s ministries in the fifteen archdeaconries of the diocese who are the wives of archdeacons.
The Diocesan Women’s Ministry has built and dedicated the Lampada Community Children’s Home at Igboukwu and introduced series of programmes for widows and interest free loans for indigent women as well as farming activities and production of yoghurt among others.
To mark the celebration of Aguata Diocese at twenty, special communion service and symposium will take place today fourth September, 2025, at the Cathedral Church of Saint John Ekwulobia, while the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba will tomorrow being fifth September dedicate some projects of the Diocese including the diocesan hospital at Ndiukwuenu.
Thanksgiving and award service will be on sixth September at the Cathedral Church of Saint John Ekwulobia. While Collation of Canons will be on seventh September, 2025 at the Saint John the Divine Church Oko.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee Venerable Decency Chine should be commended for his doggedness in ensuring a successful anniversary celebration.
To God be the Glory. Aguata Diocese, Lampada Christi.
