AN APPRAISAL OF THE BISHOPRIC OF SAMUEL ONYUKU ELENWO IN THE DIOCESE OF NIGER DELTA NORTH, 1996-1999

Abstract

The Diocese of Niger Delta North was inaugurated May 16, 1996 as the 53 rd Diocese in Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). The Right Reverend Samuel Onyuku Elenwo was translated from the residual Niger Delta Diocese to serve as the foundation Bishop of the Diocese. A bishop in the Church of God as a shepherd and leader, is called to proclaim the Gospel, guard the faith, unity and discipline of the Church; administer the Sacraments; and ordain Priests and deacons. Applying historical and participant observation methods, the paper ex-rayed the activities of bishop Elenwo in the light of these cardinal areas of his calling. It also examined the response of the faithful to his episcopal ministry before his voluntary retirement on December 31, 1999. The study revealed that Samuel Elenwo as fourth bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, first bishop from Ikwerre of the Niger Delta, and foundation bishop of DNDN, presided over four Synods. He canonically administered the diocese and ordained over one hundred persons into the deaconate and priesthood ministry of the Church. These acts positioned the diocese for unprecedented growth experienced in the succeeding years.