Thursday, September 13, 2007
Shortly after the Episcopal Synod held on Wednesday 12th September, at the Osogbo Youth Chapel of the Diocese of Osun, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Peter Akinola announced the election of the Rt. Rev. Edmund Akanya of Kebbi Diocese and Rt. Rev. Benjamin Kwashi of Jos Diocese as Archbishops of Kaduna and Jos ecclesiastical provinces respectively. They replace Most Rev. J. Idowu-Fearon and Most Rev. Emmanuel Mani whose five year tenure as archbishops, ends in January 2008.
The Synod re-elected five incumbent archbishops of different provinces. They are:
1. The Most Rev. Maxwell Anikwenwa, of Awka Diocese as Archbishop of the Niger province.
2. The Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, of Lagos Diocese as Archbishop of Lagos province.
3. The Most Rev. Bennett Okoro, of Orlu Diocese as Archbishop of Owerri province.
4. The Most Rev. Samuel Abe, of Ekiti Diocese as Archbishop of Ondo province.
5. The Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, of Ibadan Diocese as Archbishop of Ibadan province.
Four suffragan (assisting) bishops were also elected for CANA, the church’s mission in America.
Signed
The Venerable AkinTunde Popoola
Director Communication
N.B
In the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) an ecclesiastical province is made up of at least seven dioceses. There are presently ten such provinces each headed by a Provincial Archbishop