Methodist church gets pioneer bishop in Calabar
The Methodist Church of Nigeria, is set to ordain His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Barr. Otuekong Ukut Ph.D, as pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese in Calabar, Cross River State, by the Archbishop, Archdiocese of Calabar, His Grace, Most Rev. Amb.Chimezuo Nwankpa.
According to Leadership, Rt. Rev. Otuekong made this known while speaking with journalists on Monday in Calabar.
He revealed the programme of activities lined up for the inauguration of Diocese of Atamunu Calabar, as part of the activities for the ceremony.
The choice of Otuekong was informed by his commitment to things of the Lord and his meritorious services to the growth of the church.
Otuekong, fondly called Billionaire Bishop by friends and associates, said the ceremony would have three events twisted around the occasion on same day with men and women of faith coming from different denominations around the world to grace the mega event.
“The three events are intertwined. It’s the reason we called it Trinity Service which would showcase almost all the strides that we archived to reverence God Almighty,” he stated.
While highlighting the activities connected with the ceremony, Otuekong said, “The ceremony would kick-start with inauguration of the Diocese, enthronement of myself as pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese, and presentation of the Lay President, Elder Dr. Gabriel Inyang, to the congregation same day being May 7, 2023.”
Other activities lined up for the ceremony by the Methodist Cathedral Atamunu Diocese, include commissioning of multi-million naira projects including the Bishop’s office, Favour Shopping Complex and others.
The cleric also explained other projects that would be commissioned to include a school block at 97 Atamunu street, at the permanent site of the Susan Away Secondary School and laying of foundation stone for the Bishop’s Court still undergoing construction.
The stated further that entourage will pay a courtesy visit to the treaty king of Efik kingdom, the Obong of Calabar, as part of activities to mark the Sunday event, with the whole council in attendance.
“And on Sunday morning, May 7, 2023, the inauguration will take place and my humble self will be enthroned as the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Atamunu on that same Sunday.
“And I will in turn present the lay president, Elder Dr. Gabriel Inyang, and in the evening there will be a prelate party, which will be hosted by the new bishop myself, the Rt. Rev. Barr. Otuekong Ukut Ph.D will host the prelate and his entourage at the cathedral ground.
“That outlook is to formalise what the Methodist conference did on August 14 and 15, 2022 where I was selected the pioneer Bishop of Diocese of Atamunu and the Diocese was created out of the Calabar Diocese. By the grace of God, Cross River State now has three Dioceses, the Diocese of Calabar, the Diocese of Atamunu, and the Diocese of Ikom,” he added.
Dignitaries exoected at the ceremony include the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, JP and his entourage and secretary of Conference, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Taiwo, Rev. Inyang Effiong and entourage.
Others include immediate-past Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu and wife, among others.