Primate Ndukuba Appoints Owoeye Vicar of Basilica of Grace, Gudu

Anglican Primate, The Most Reverend Ndukuba Elevates Owoeye As Vicar of Basilica of Grace

…outgoing Vicar delivers emotion-laden farewell message to ACORD members  

Vicar of the Anglican Church of the Resurrection Duboyi, Abuja, The Venerable Oluwaseun A.Owoeye has been given a higher responsibility as the new Vicar of the Basilica of Grace and the Supervisory Priest of the Gudu Archdeaconry, Abuja. The Archbishop Metropolitan and the Primate of All Nigeria, The Most Reverend Henry C. Ndukuba approved Venerable Owoeye’s posting recently.  Owoeye delivered an emotion-laden Farewell Message captioned “When God sends a man on an errand, it is expedient to obey,” as he bade goodbye to the church he had diligently nurtured from base to stardom.

Basilica Of grace Gudu is located along Ahmadu Bello Expressway Gudu. It is directly opposite the popular AP filling station, adjacent Apo Legislative Quarters.

Earlier in the day’s sermon titled “What A Mighty God We Serve!” Owoeye spoke about the mystery of God and His mighty works. The main text of the message is drawn from Isaiah 9:2,6-7. The outgoing Venerable said that God’s works and activities are incredibly mysterious and His mysteries are revealed in the light of His Son Jesus Christ. According to Isaiah 9:2 – Those who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

In the farewell message, he cited the Bible where Abram was asked to leave his father’s house to an unknown destination and he obeyed with faith adding that the compliance yielded a good result.

Owoeye recalled when the immediate past Primate, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh called to inform him that he was taking him to the newly built Anglican Church of the Resurrection, Duboyi (ACORD) which was then tucked away in a location that was lonely and forested at the time. He stated that while some might have perceived the posting as a punishment, he did not see it as such since he was convinced he did not do anything to warrant a punitive action.

Owoeye quoted the former Primate as saying that he had prayed and his spirit kept telling him that he was the one to be sent to start the new church. Believing firmly that it was the will of God, “I thanked him and said there is no problem your grace.” He assumed duty at ACORD on Monday 9 April, 2018 and will be leaving on Wednesday, 28 December, 2022 to assume new responsibility as the Vicar of Basilica of Grace, Gudu. His stewardship at ACORD is exactly four Years, eight months and nineteen days. Here is the full text of Venerable Owoeye’s Farewell Message delivered on the Christmas Day:

“When God sends a man on an errand, it is expedient to obey. Abram was asked to leave his father’s house to an unknown destination and he obeyed. The compliance yielded a good result. When the former Primate called to tell me, he was taking me to this place, he thought I would see it as a punishment since I did not do anything to warrant punishment. But he said, he has prayed and his spirit kept telling him, I am the one.

I thanked him and said there is no problem your grace. Today, our song is “What shall we say unto the Lord, all we have to say is thank you Lord” We resumed here on Monday April 9, 2018 and we will be leaving on Wednesday, 28 December, 2022. Exactly four years, eight months and 19 days.

We thank God for safety throughout this period, plying from Wuye to Duboyi. My wife and I thank you all for your cooperation, support, encouragement, advice and for being there always. I don’t want to mention names but with my deepest heart, I thank you all.

Permit me to mention few of the people we worked with, Evangelist Richard and Celestine Uzoma, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Ejeckam, Mr. Chukwuka Enendu, Reverend James Anene Ajah and all the church workers, Bulus, Blessing, Zacharias and others. Pardon my shout on you, it’s for good.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Whatever we see as achievements we dedicate to God and good people of ACORD. I don’t need to start counting from day one up till now. My wife and I were born into the vicarage and our siblings are also now in the vicarage. We cannot afford to fail God and His people. We thank God for His grace.

My wife and I did not arrogate anything to ourselves but to God. It is by God’s grace that we are what we are. I want to appreciate the person of Tolulope Owoeye who did not disappoint God. She is answer to my prayer. God bless you Ma.

During our stay here, 141 people were baptized and 21 couple wedded. We also lost four men in general. May their souls rest in peace.

ADMONITION

We want to plead with us to cooperate with the new vicar and wife. More than the cooperation you gave us please do for them. Their comfort will make them do exploits. Please don’t expect too much from them. They are not going to live in the compound, and it is not that easy when you are not living in the compound. Your gentleman’s advice and encouragement will go a long way to help their ministry in our midst.

However, as we round-off our ministry in your midst it will be necessary to know just like Saul did in 1 Sam 12:3: 3 Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.

APOLOGY

Peradventure, my wife and I stepped on your toes, insulted or slighted you or you thought we disrespected you. Please, we are very sorry, find a place in your heart to forgive us and may God show mercy unto you too.

CONCLUSION

Philippians 4:8-9 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Second Timothy 4:6-7 – For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

On behalf of my family I say Nagode, Daalu rinne/imela, Ese pupo, thanks and God bless you all and bye for now.”