Being peaceful in the heart of troubled Zaria

This church has been in existence since the early 1900s. Why is it just having its first Synod? Zaria is a diocese within the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. The life of the diocese begins from the date of its inauguration. For Zaria, it was inaugurated 7th March, 2007. Due to the fact that Zaria […]

This church has been in existence since the early 1900s. Why is it just having its first Synod?

Zaria is a diocese within the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. The life of the diocese begins from the date of its inauguration. For Zaria, it was inaugurated 7th March, 2007. Due to the fact that Zaria started as a missionary diocese, we were only eligible to have council meetings in the first three years, and synod from its 4th year. The life-span of a synod is three years (three sessions), that is why we are still in our first synod.

What is the essence of having a synod?

Synod is the highest policy-making body for any diocese. The bishop and all functionaries, including all parishes within the diocese meet to give account of their stewardship for the year and formulate policies for the work of God for succeeding years.

How does it impact on the average parishioner?

Everybody knows what had happened and what is happening and will happen within the diocese and be part of the whole process.

Zaria has faced the challenge of unrests. Being right in the heart of the city, how has it been?

It is not by power nor by might, but by the spirit of God almighty alone! God, the author and sustainer of peace has chosen to give us peace, and we thank Him. In addition, we try to live in peace with our community as much as it depends on us, and so far, God is helping us.

The churches were attacked in 1987: St. Andrew’s, GRA and All Saints, Samaru were burnt down. St. Michael’s was completely taken over. St. Michael primary school has been occupied by Moslems since the 1967-70 civil war till today. We are just struggling to recover it from them.

Some of the award recipients were not from the Anglican fold. What informed your choice of them?

As I said during the award ceremony, we have clear guidelines for our awards: Recipients must be born-again Christians of proven integrity in their domains, contributors to the spread of the Gospel of Christ, locally and nationally, among others. These criteria cut across denominational boundaries, hence our choices.

You switched from being a professor of Medicine to a fulltime clergyman. Don’t you miss practising medicine?

No, I don’t miss practising Medicine. Broadly speaking, I still practice Medicine in applied form. I give medical advice to my members, treat minor ailments, give medical talks to pastors and bishops, and other similar things. No professional can be wholly separated from his or her profession; once a doctor, always a doctor for life!