PREAMBLE: It is with great joy and on behalf of the Archbishops of our 14 internal provinces, Bishops of our 165 Dioceses and Missions, the Clergy and the entire Anglican Faithful in the Church of Nigeria, that I welcome every one of you. The Church of Nigeria is hosting the Retreat of the Council of the Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) holding here in Abuja, Nigeria. CAPA was formed by the initial 9 Primates of the Anglican Provinces in Africa in 1979, so that they would attend to the particular matters of concerns to Africa and also bring our unique African experience and expression of the Christian Faith to the Global Discourse.
There was a woman in local church that opted for a voluntary widowhood because of a bag of rice, when her husband confronted her she answered “what you in now is it life?
Our theme, “CAPA: An Instrument of Authentic Life for Africa” (1 John 5:20), resonates deeply with our shared commitment to upholding the orthodox Faith in Christ Jesus as we hold to the Living God, Authority of the Scripture and bear faithful witness to Christ in all Nations of Africa and the world, especially in this time of Confusion due to the wilful disobedience to the Word of God and the Cherished Christian values we have received especially in the understanding of Human sexuality and value of life, marriage and God’s demand for Righteousness in our living. This Retreat gives our African Church Fathers an opportunity to review how we have faired in the face of numerous challenges in the Continent and helped by God they may set forth a new Agenda for true Christian witness in Africa.
Since yesterday we have engaged in worship, fellowship, meaningful discussions, and strategizing on how best to serve our Provinces amidst the challenges and opportunities of our times. It is a privilege to host this esteemed gathering, and we are indeed, very grateful for the opportunity to share our Nigerian hospitality with you.
Nigeria is a country located on the Western coast of Africa, bordered to the north by Niger, to the east by Chad and Cameroon, to the south by the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean and to the west by Benin Republic. Nigeria is not only large in land mass, but also Africa’s most populous country (estimated at 222,486,000 in 2023). It is estimated that Nigeria has 250 Ethnic groups and 371 Tribal languages and culture among which are Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfude, Hausa, Edo, Ibibio, Tiv and others. The country has abundant natural resources, notably large deposits of Oil and natural gas, Mineral deposits, good arable land for Agriculture. Nigeria is a Federal Republic having 36 states, with Abuja as the Federal Capital.
The Church of Nigeria has, since 2002, located her Headquarters to Nigeria’s Federal Capital, Abuja, with the National Secretariat at St Matthias House Gudu District, an ultramodern Office Complex named after the Day of the inauguration of the Province (St Matthias Day, 1979).
The Anglican Church has existed for over 180 years, has borne Faithful Christian Witness and made enormous contributions to Nation building and in Contending for this Faith that was once delivered to the Saints.
As we gather in God’s presence and in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source and Giver of authentic life and truth, we pray that our time together will be filled with the transforming power of His presence. May our deliberations, discussions, and fellowship be guided by the wisdom of God, and may our communion be a testament to the unity and harmony that we share as brothers and sisters in Christ.
In a world filled with counterfeit gospels and false promises, we are called to be instruments of authentic life, shining the light of Christ in the darkness. As Primates and leaders of our respective Provinces, we bear the responsibility of upholding the faith once delivered to the saints, and proclaiming the Good News of salvation to our beloved continent, and be God’s voice and Agent in dealing with myriads of challenges confronting us in our Nations of Africa. We must seek to free CAPA from those who have hijacked it and seek to determine her functions and role in Africa. We must seek to rediscover and build a truly African Anglican Church that hold to the Living God and bear true Witness to Christ in a dying world. We must seek to build a Church and African Nations that are Self-Propagating, Self-sustaining and Self-governing as propounded by a seasoned Administrator of Missions, Henry Venn, of CMS London.
This Retreat offers us a unique opportunity to deepen our bonds of friendship and collaboration, to share our collective wisdom and experiences, and to reaffirm our commitment to the shared mission of spreading the Gospel of peace, love, and reconciliation across the diverse and beautiful continent of Africa.
Let me conclude with this, Josiah Gilbert Holland wrote this famous Poem after the American war of Independence: “God, Give us men”. “A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands, Men whom the lust of office does not kill, Men whom the spoil of office cannot buy, Men who possess opinions and a will, Men who honour, Men who will not lie, Men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flattering without winking!…”
May we leave Abuja with a renewed sense of purpose, passion, and dedication to spreading the authentic life of Christ across Africa.
Once again, on behalf of the Church of Nigeria, I extend a heartfelt welcome to all our Church Fathers and Eminent Faithful servants of God. May God bless our time together and our shared journey of faith. May His Spirit guide our deliberations and decisions.
Welcome to Abuja, welcome to Nigeria, and welcome to this Holy assembly of the CAPA.
Welcome, Bienvenue, Karibuni, Nnooo, E Kabooo, Saanu da suwa. God bless you all.
