Former dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and archbishop of the defunct Province Two, the late Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, has been laid to rest.
He was buried at St Peter’s Church, Ezi-Awkuzu, in Oyi LGA, Anambra.
In his homily, the bishop of Awka diocese and archbishop province of the Niger, Alexander Ibezim, promised that the gospel would move to higher dimensions from where Mr Anikwenwa stopped.
Mr Ibezim noted that the deceased left legacies in the Anglican Communion and the larger society, which would remain relevant for future generations.
Religious and political leaders at the burial paid glowing tributes to the former dean.
The primate of the Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba, and over 300 clerics were on the ground to say their last prayer. He described Mr Anikwenwa as a “selfless patriarch, master builder and pioneer Bishop of the diocese who laid a solid foundation for his successors.”
He said, “Archbishop Anikwenwa loved God and His people. He lived a life of sacrifice and servanthood. He cherished the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and Anglican heritage. He gave specific instructions on how and where he will be buried in line with the church doctrine. He was a good team player, invested in people and left indelible legacies.”
While sympathising with the family, the primate prayed to God to watch over them, giving them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
(NAN)
