Okoh takes over from Akinola as Anglican Church Primate

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
From Lawrence Njoku (Umuahia) and Nike Sotade (Lagos)

At exactly 4.15 p.m. yesterday, 57-year-old Archbishop of Bendel and Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Rt. Revd Nicholas Okoh, was pronounced the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

Okoh, whose emergence was received with standing ovation from the House of Bishops, will assume office on March 25 next year as the 4th Primate of the Church of Nigeria.

He takes over from Most Revd. Peter Jasper Akinola, whose six-year tenure expires by March next year. He assumed office in 2000.

Before Akinola were Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye (1988-2000) and Archbishop Timothy O. Olufosoye (1979-1988).

Announcing the election of the new Primate after over six hours congress held behind closed doors at the St. Stephens Cathedral Church, Umuahia, the Dean, Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Maxwell Anikwenwa, said that it followed the constitution and cannons guiding the election of a Primate, stressing that the 146 bishops that participated in the exercise were satisfied with the outcome. the rest

New Archbishop for Nigeria
Religious Intelligence