Your Grace, in December 1974 you were elected to succeed the late Bishop L.M. Uzodike, as the seventh Bishop on the See on the Niger, in true apostolic succession, going down to Bishop Crowther himself. There was Bishop Crowther, followed by Bishop Hill, then Bishop Tugwell, and again succeeded by Bishop Lasbrey and Archbishop Patterson. On February 23, 1975 you were consecrated at All Saint' Cathedral Church, Egbu. You came into the See on the Niger with a vision of your own and with a dynamism that is proverbial
You have a large heart. When unclear issues arise, which require closer examination, you give time to study the situation and development to enable you appreciate the given problem. Once these are properly understood, you display a tenacity that is captivating and daunting. Hence, your tremendous capacity to accommodate the ignorant the weak, the cunning, the fearful, the confused and the misled, the overzealous, the exuberant, the vibrant and the quiet. Did this large-heartedness not come into play in handing the problem of the late '80s and early '90s? Has this not guided your handing of the intractable problem that could have engulfed various archdeaconries, districts and churches? You knew how to handle emotive issue with disarming patience and wisdom. Only the heart, at leisure form itself, and that has learnt how to wait on God, which can effectually minister to others.
Patience is the key. This is the capacity to bear pains or trials or problem calmly, and with a capacity to understand. Patience is possible only to heart touched to quietness by God. Patience exhibits forbearance under provocation or stain, without being hasty or impetuous. The patient could be a person under pressure, who is able and willing to bear, with a certain hope that good might emerge or at least that a proper and adequate appreciation of issues might emerge. For over twenty-five years of joyful episcopate, you have patiently borne the ignorance, overzealousness and foolishness of many. But you have never broken the "bruised reed" nor "quenched the dimly burning wick". For these twenty-five years, you encouraged all to bear with one another. Your Grace, you are a good father, who has created a niche in his heart for every child of his.
We salute your quality of patience, which is informed by wisdom, acquired and nourished over a period of years. Traces of your innate wisdom and courage were noticeable in your handing of important and intriguing matter which called for the church's decisive actions. We remember the trouble and the 'dragging of feet over traditional title-taking and Christian conscience in lgboland. Here you brought your theological mind to bear on the whole debate. The situation called for a man of your immense capacity, courage, and sagacity. In the end, you led the Diocese to set up Cultural Issues Committee, on both local and diocesan levels. Your tenacity of purpose liberated Christians from the fear, superstition, and ignorance, associated with the whole matter.
Your Grace, when you speak, people listen, because they realize that this is done with sincerity. You have labored to show that both the lay and the ordained have stakes in the life and ministry of the Diocese. The lay members have been encouraged tremendously to appreciate that they are servants of Christ in their places of work, service, study, leisure and business. In the realization of this goal, you have constituted the Laity Council and Jerusalem Pilgrims, and rounded with the Knighthood of the Order of St. Christopher in 1978. These people are encouraged to see themselves as frontier man and woman, bearing the torch of Christ in every and all situations. You have insisted that their role is complementary to those of the ordained, not a displacement or an usurpation of their work and functions.
As a crowning award, in recognition of selfless service God and the Church, you introduced the Niger Diocesan Merit Award in 1995. You have called it the "highest Diocesan Award" Thus, in all these, you have demonstrated that no one who serves GOD in his church is ignored. There is always something to remember of everyone who remains steadfast and faithful. We salute your wisdom and courage.
Your Grace, the slogan in 1949, when the foundation of the Lady Chapel of All Saints' Cathedral Church was laid, was: "Cathedrals were never completed in a life-time". And so it had been each generation of Christians, in the larger Niger Diocese, contributing to make the dream come true. In 1975 when you took over, the slogan was changed to: "Completing the Cathedral in our life-time". The magic was done. You took the bull by the horn. You saw it to a successful end. The completed Cathedral Church of All Saints' Onitsha, was consecrated on November 1, 1992. Today, All saints' Cathedral Church Onitsha, stands as a magnum opus to the devotion and oblation of all God's people, to Christ.
You have also built for posterity. You were convinced that our children should have the best in education that is well-informed by Christian conscience. The public school system, since the end of the civil \war, has thrown up a lot of problems. An alternative system of education was, therefore required. Hence, the building of seminaries and convents, initiated first by you. There are now Bishop Crowther Seminary in Awka: Holy Innocents Juniorate, Nkpor; Archbishop Patterson Vocational School Obosi; dayspring Comprehensive School, Onitsha; and St. Christopher's Junior Seminary, at 3-3 Onitsha. In the areas of health, you saw to the reactivation of Iyi-Enu Hospital after the civil war. Other medical institutions were erected, and they included: Niger Diocesan Hospital Umunze, Nnewi, Umumbo; and Rural Health Centre at Augleri-Out. Thus, you build men, institutions and ideas. We salute your building spirit.
The woman of this Diocese, under the able leadership of your wife, very much cherish your support. Beatrice's leadership in this Diocese has been a thing of joy. She is result-oriented. She designed the Mary Sumner cloth, commonly worn by all Anglican Women throughout the nation. She organized our women into a formidable front; and they have done us proud projects in our local churches. Their pet-project Mary Sumner House, is nearing completion. The building is an all-purpose one, designed to serve as conference centre and guest chalets, for the Diocese and the public at large. Beatrice is a great pearl, who has won the admiration of women of this Diocese. We also salute her spirit of achievement.
All Saints Cathedral Onitsha where he was the 4th Bishop on the Niger Diocese, which started in 1857, with the visit of the C.M.S. led by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther who handed over to Bishop Lasbery 1922 to 1945 then to Archbishop Patterson followed by Uzodike the first indigenous Bishop on the Niger in 1969 � 1974.
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