“Strengthen Families, Build the Nation” — Primate

Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has urged newly ordained deacons and priests to embrace sacrifice, evangelism, and unwavering doctrinal integrity as essential tools for nation-building.

Ndukuba gave the charge during the Diaconate and Priesthood Trinity Ordination Service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja.
According to him, the family remains the bedrock of society, stressing that strengthening families is vital to addressing the multi-faceted challenges currently confronting the nation.
“You are being sent not to titles, but to souls. Your first parish is the home. If you strengthen families, you will strengthen the nation,” he said.
The Primate admonished the newly ordained clergy to emulate the teachings of Jesus Christ, serve as worthy ambassadors of the Church, and uphold the dignity of the nation through sacrificial service.
He also appreciated the visiting dignitaries, the legal team, the house of clergy, and the families who turned out in large numbers to support the ordinands.
In his sermon, the preacher at the service, Rt. Rev. Manasses Okere, Bishop of Ukwa Diocese, reminded the ordinands that the priesthood is a calling to faithfulness and self-denial, not fame or self-promotion.
“The altar is not a place for self-promotion, but for self-denial. As you are ordained today, be men of prayer, men of the Word, and shepherds who smell like the sheep,” Okere said.
He noted that the Church today needs leaders who will boldly stand for the truth, promote unity, and fervently intercede for the burdens of the people.
Highlights of the service included the cross-examination of the candidates, administrative and canonical oath-taking, and the laying on of hands.
A total of 10 deacons and 14 priests were ordained during the Trinity Sunday service, which was attended by clergy, families, and members of the Anglican Communion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The service concluded with special anointing and prayers for the newly ordained ministers to succeed in their various deployments across the country, alongside intercessions for peace and stability in Nigeria during the remaining half of 2026.