By Uzo Ugwunze
There are high expectations that the Council of Laity in the Province of the Niger, Anglican Communion shall be transformed into a vibrant, effective and efficient Council with the make up of capable men, women, youths and even children in all the Anglican Churches in the Province of the Niger.
This foundation of hope was built from the just concluded Provincial Laity Convention held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith Awka with the theme, “Dry Bones Shall Rise Again” (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
The President, Provincial Laity Council, Province of the Niger, Pharm Sir Chris Ukachukwu while addressing delegates at the Convention described the theme “as both prophetic and powerful that captures not only a vision of spiritual restoration but a divine promise of renewed life, renewed strength, and renewed purpose”.
Pharm Sir Ukachukwu identified the Biblical dry bones to represent spiritual apathy, weakened commitment, lost vision, and scattered efforts.
“In our context as Anglican Laity, dry bones may be seen in:
• The disengagement of laypersons from active Church ministry;
• The decline in Bible Study and spiritual formation;
• The marginalization of lay voices in Church affairs;
• The spiritual coldness in families and communities;
• And the lack of leadership succession planning, especially among our youth”, the Provincial Laity Council Chairman noted.
As stepping stones for the immediate revival of the LAITY in the Province and for “the bones to rise again” in the affairs of the Anglican Laity, Sir Ukachukwu threw up five principles:
-prophetic re-awakening through the Word- the Word of God is a lamp unto the feet of every Laity and a light to their path;
-intentional discipleship and training- bones come together when there is structure, our Laity needs to be trained, mentored, and mobilized for service;
-unity and reconnection of the Body- a major challenge to the Laity is disunity and disconnection. We must work to reconnect the bones, to foster collaboration across Dioceses, lay organizations, and age groups.
-breath of the Spirit, prayer and revival- no structure, no system, no Council will thrive without the Holy Spirit. Let us become people of prayer again.
-raising the next generation- no revival is complete without effective succession. Our young people must not be left behind in this rising army. Let us empower them spiritually, intellectually, and economically to take their place.
Sir Chris Ukachukwu in the prophetic Presidential address made a powerful Charge most capable of ushering in a greatly revived, resuscitated and strengthened Laity when he said, “Let us rise from this Congress with renewed zeal. Let the bones of indifference give way to the muscles of participation. Let the breath of God enter our Dioceses, our Parishes, and our Councils.
Let it be said that from this Congress in the Province of Niger, a great army of Laity arose—anointed, equipped, and aligned with God’s purpose.
“Ọkpụkpụ a ga adi ndu ọzọ.”
– These bones shall rise again”.
The Bishop of Niger West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Johnson Ekwe, Ph.D during a Homily emphasized that the LAITY is an embodiment of all in the congregation of any Church apart from the Ordained, the Priesthood.
Bishop Ekwe prayed God to raise His mighty hands and uphold the LAITY through the Convention while calling on the Laity to allow selves to be empowered by the scriptures to move the Church of God forward.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the Convention, Sir Raymond Arinze said the rigorous process of putting together the content of the Convention and the observable hiccups were only seen as stepping stones not only for a stronger more effective Laity but a better Convention come 2026.
The Convention tagged, Awka 2025, was well attended and featured the installation of the Archbishop of Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese His Grace the Most Rev Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, Ph.D; GDMA; JP and wife, Mrs. Martha Chioma Ibezim, Ph.D; JP as Grand Patron and Grand Patroness respectively.
The Executive Beacon of Excellence Award was bestowed on the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Sir Ifeanyichukwu Ibezim, KSP while the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Sir Somtochukwu Udeze, KSC received the Beacon of Excellence Award.
There were also other Awards in different categories, Pillar of Laity; Community Service; Philanthropic; Excellent Service Awards given out to deserving individuals.