Archbishop Ibezim’s Educational, Health, Strides In Anglican Diocese On The Niger
By Jude Okafor
On Sept. 25, 2025, no fewer than 279 members of the Clergy under the aegis of the Association of Clergy in the Diocese Of Awka, Anglican Communion met and reaffirmed their loyalty to Most Rev’d Alexander Ibezim, the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger.
The Clergy reached the decision after an extensive and exhaustive evaluation of Ibezim’s leadership journey as Bishop of Awka and the accruing gains or pains in the Diocese.
The Clergy also considered the allegations of unapproved transactions and high handedness against the Bishop and the call for his removal from the position of the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese .
The clergymen duly acknowledged the complaints of the aggrieved members and conceded that they were right to have asked questions where they thought necessary.
They frowned at the non adherence to communication ethics within the church which would have given them the answers they sought but decided to take their opprobrium to the public by putting their frivolous and unfounded allegations in public domain.
After absolving the Archbishop of wrongdoing in the issues raised, the body of Clergy
reaffirmed their support and loyalty to Ibezim and dissociated themselves from the campaign of calumny and viscous propaganda against the Archbishop and members of his family.
In a Communique signed Ven. Godfrey Molokwu and Ven. K.E.N Chukwukamma, the Chairman and Secretary respectively, Clergy stood firmly with Ibezim on the sanitisation of the legal team as recommended by the peace committee of the diocesan board
They averred that any diocese land sold was duly approved by the board and authorised by the Synod of Awka.
From the document by the clergymen, it is obvious that Archbishop Ibezim is actually an uncelebrated hero given the progress made by the Church under his leadership especially in the areas of education and health.
They listed numerous notable projects across different sectors which the Archbishop executed since 2010 to date.
Some of these projects are Mount Zion International Retreat and Resource Centre, Awka, the Millennium Printing Press Awka and Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, an accredited institution which awards certificates in nursing.
He also established the Archbishop Alexander Ibezim College of Education, Nibo-Nise, he renovated the Diocesan Hospital in Awba-Ofemili and set up the Millennium Microfinance Finance Bank Ltd, a financial institution which encourages financial inclusion and support for small businesses.
Archbishop Ibezim within the period. revamped St Falth’s Hospital Awka, erected a new Anglican Village in Ifite Awka-Awka with the Archbishop’s Palace and Archive Centre.
Still on education, Archbishop Ibezim built and secured accreditation for Renaissance Modern Polytechnic, Mbaukwu, he upgraded the infrastructure at Paul University, Awka with a gargantuan Faculty of Law Block.
The university which has secured accreditation in many professional courses is already offering post graduate programmes and awarding PGD, MSc and PhD certificates to students across the country.
Another milestone was the establishment of the Queens Convent a place where the girl child is moulded intellectually and character wise.
These revenue-generating investments which provide funding for the church and projects which create employment for Nigerians across generations especially, members of the Anglican Church with the diocese.
It is worthy of note that these numerous lifetime projects were prudently executed at an estimated cost of more than N10 billion.
Curiously, these projects are not being discussed in the media, maybe because the Archbishop is not a publicity person.
No doubt, Ibezim’s bishopric leadership journey in Awka has brought immense spiritual and economic blessings which are not only felt but seen.
No wonder the Awka Diocesan Clergy Association distanced itself from the so-called 9-Crusaders and disassociated itself from their campaign of calumny, viscous propaganda, outrageous and false petitions against Most Rev’d Alexander Ibezim and his family,
The pointed out that contrary to insinuation, the Archbishop had never retrenched any worker of the Diocese of Awka and therefore endorsed, reaffirmed and pledged their “absolute loyalty, undivided commitment and devotion in service under God, in all things physical and spiritual, to Most Rev’d Ibezim”.
“We are wholeheartedly satisfied, truly happy, greatly empowered and virtually uplifted under the very able, dynamic and purposeful, progressive and Holy Spirit inspiredinspired leadership of Most Rev’d Ibezim.
There is no gainsaying that Archbishop Alexander Ibezim has laid a solid foundation that will outlive him and undoubtedly place the Church on the path of sustainable evangelical mission.
Ibezim needs support , understanding and prayers to continue his good works for the glory of God and interest of humanity.
©Jude Okafor, a Public Commentator and Good Governance Advocate Writes from Awka.
