Ekweremadu Leads Presidential Delegation To Enthronement Of New Archbishop Of Canterbury

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan has constituted a delegation headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu to represent him and Nigeria in London at the formal enthronement of the Rt. Reverend Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the worldwide Anglican Communion on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

A Presidency statement listed other members of the delegation as Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, Ambassador Maurice Ekpang, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, and the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba.

The Rt. Reverend Justin Welby was appointed to succeed the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams in November last year.

In a congratulatory letter to him, President Jonathan said that he was confident that with Bishop Welby’s “inspiring antecedents”, he will achieve “astounding success” in the new assignment, which he has been given at a time of great challenges for the Anglican Church.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to express warm felicitations to you on your appointment as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

“I am confident that, given your inspiring antecedents, you will make an astounding success of this divine assignment.

“You can be assured of the prayers and steadfast support of my government and the body of Christ in Nigeria as you assume your exalted office,” President Jonathan wrote.