The History of The Methodist Cathedral of Unity

He led the movement from Papa Ekanem residence to the Parvillon of the Parade Ground at Area 10 Garki. He left a year after due to non-provision of accommodation for Religious Organization by FCDA. He was a seasoned administrator with an amiable charisma.

He planted many Churches using the people like Bro Vincent Asuquo, Surveyor Dan. Okereke & the wife, Arc. Ekeledo & the wife,Bro Emmanuel Adeyinka, Late Major K. Adebayo, Bro E. Okon (Life camp FCDA) and Bro E. Andy(1st Steward). At the most critical point, he led the Church to relocate from Parade Ground to a Make – shift building at zone 3, Wuse this permanent site acquired for the Church by the PSO to late Major General Mamman Vatsa, Col. Ogunsanwo (Rtd). He eventually mobilized a few members to build the 5 room’s Duplex as Manse for an expected Bishop. He assisted in planting many Churches. Revd.S.I.O. Agwu left for further studies at the University of Calabar. Before now a 3-Bedroom apartment at Ikot Abasi close, flat 16, Garki Area 11, has been given to Methodist Church Nigeria by FCDA.

He came as a Deacon to hold up for Very Revd S. Olu Alaran who was on conference assignment to Gambia. With energetic strength of youthful zeal, He organized revivals to uplift the young Churches. He was always on pastoral visitation to non-active members and other smaller Churches under His supervision. He was later transferred to oversee Holy Ghost Methodist Church Suleja, He souht for further training at University of Jos. On completion of his degree programme he was highly favored to be sponsored for his Doctorate programme in USA. A very diligent Minister and highly focused Personality.

Baba Alaran arrived from Gambia and was well received by Revd Onadipe and Church leaders he moved straight to complete the 5 bedroom manse started by Revd. S. I. O Agwu. Very Revd. S. Olu Alaran was an exemplary, Visionary leader with a high sense of care and humane Pastoral visitation. He grouped the local Churches into Sections. He was a man of great sense of humour and honour. There was never a dull moment with Alaran and members of his congregation. An astute Adminstrator. On arrival of the Pioneer Bishop Rt Rev’d S. Ola Makinde and being a very elderly Presbyter, he was transferred to Ilesa in 1993, and much later a Bishop of Ikorodu, He was again made an Arch-Bishop of Ilesa where the Lord called Him to rest.

He was the pioneer Synod Secretary and had a beautiful stay with the Church that was one Circuit in one Diocese. His stay was short lived, as he was later transferred to Holy Ghost Methodist Church Suleja where he had a protracted health challenge and the Lord called Him home to rest.

He a second graduate Minister after the Presiding Bishop then in the Diocese. He was intellectual endowed with the synthesis of theological and ecclesiastical dispositions. He moved to open up some Churches though with great challenges of land acquisition at Mpape and other satellite locations. Due to death of prominent leaders of the Church, at that time he moved to stem the tide of the unpleasant moment by introducing the 3 days of prayers and fasting, now adopted by the entire conference. He was a projenitor and mentor of Evang. John Eze at Kado Church Abuja, John Eze who is now Bishop of Nsuka. Again his stay was short lived when he was later transferred to the East where he joined an external organization –  Enugu State University as a lecturer.

He was a third Synod Secretary of the Abuja Diocese. A young vibrant Spiritual revivalist he had excellent working relationship with his Boss, the Arch-Bishop Makinde. He worked to streamline the Administrative Machinery of the Abuja Circuit vis-à-vis the Diocese. An astute and diligent Manager of the Church Resources. He facilitated the planting of Apo Church, Kuje, Gwarimpa, Ajaokuta (under Men Fellowship) etc.

He was loved for his sacrificial giving, a man of benevolent spirit even to the officers and official of the Church. He was imbued and endowed with unparallel talent of piety and diligence A man of great whimsical sense of Humour. He was the first to leave Abuja with the honour of Episcopate in 2002 to Uyo Diocese.

He came to succed Very Revd. Udofia. He prepared the necessary logisties for the Hosting of the Bishop Council and Dedication of the Cathedral Building in 2003. He maintained a high profile of human relationship with all and sundiry. He was later transferred to Nyanya Circuit, where he worked meticulously on planting many Churches, upgraded Nyanya Circuit Hqtrs building to Pro-cathedral building structure. He worked with Arch-Bishop S. Ola Makinde and Arch-bishop Ebere Nze in succession.

He was from there elevated to an Episcopate & posted to Item Diocese in Arch-Diocese of Umuahia. He was a kind hearted personality with a toga of excellence human relationship.

He assumed duty with great pomp and legendry of a highly urbaned disposition. He succeded Very Rev’d U. U. Nmeregini as the Cathedral Administrator. The Pyakassa and Chika Churches were first planted by him before demolition by FCDA. The Aco Nursery and Primary School were established during by him, and was commissioned by the then Prelate His Emimence Dr. Sunday C. Mbang. He went futher to acquire land through Sir Okereke of FCDA for the Apo Church earlier mid-wived by Very Rev’d Udofia, He was able to mobilize the Tent Ministers as The Rev’d Ifeanyi Nwade(Apo), The Rev’d Vincent Asuquo(Gwarimpa) and The Rev’d Adeyinka(Mpape) for very effective Pastoral duties.

He started the two streams of worship at the Cathedral 7:30am-9:30am & 10:00am-12:00noon. He also introduced one Hour with Jesus every Friday in the Cathedral. He facilitated the purchase of Women Fellowship Bus. He was quite supportive in infrastrural development, inspite of some other related problems and challenges; He was elevated to the rank of a Bishop in 2006 Conference at Uyo and posted to Remo Diocese/EdoDelta. He was a simple hearted personality but a Spiritual Disciplinarian.

He took over as the Cathedral Presbyter with a high profile of an erudite Bible Scholar. Very purposeful, focused and with a Spartan life of discipline, He had zero tolerance for mediocrity in public worship. He was a man who calls a spade a spade whenever He saw one. He was a heart-broken Prayer Warrior and of sound administration. By his charisma and character he revived the entire Ministers under His watch. Though quite matured in age. He worked with His Grace Most Rev’d Dr. Ebere Nze with conviality and benevolent spirit. He was elevated as the pioneer Bishop of Oshogbo Diocese.

His first Missionary journey was at Karmo Church(1996-1998). He rehabilitated the entire Karmo Church to be upgraded to a section. He was later transferred to Abuja Diocese in 2007. He succeeded Very Rev’d John Bamgboye who was elevated to Episcopal rank and transferred to Oshogbo. He earnestly worked to strengthen and provided financial support to the local Churches such as: F.H.A. Lugbe, Karmo, Kuje, Saburi and Dei Dei etc. He rehabilitated the entire interlogging of Cathedral environment.

The Presbyter Adegbite came in with a clear mandate of a Prayer stimulating and stimulating trait in his bones. He worked closely with His Grace Most Rev’d Chimaroke Iweha to map out Various Circuits into a possible Diocese. He closed every avenue of fund leakages to raise money for the creation of Nyanya Diocese in 2011 and Kubwa Diocese in 2012. These Dioceses led to the appointment of Rt Rev’d Samuel Nortey and Rt Rev’d Babalola as Bishops respectively.He worked intimately with all Ministers in Circult and supported devoted lay members on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem . He was equally rewarded with an elevated rank of Bishop of Owo Diocese.

He came to the Cathedral with an ebullient and dynamic spirit. He worked along with Elders among the lay and the clergy alike.He began the Care Group (House Fellowship) initiative with the sole purpose; (Pilot scheme) of planting Churches in the satelite Estates. He reached out to the Professionals and mooted the idea of a Guest House at Dutse Alhaji. Land acquired, design made and Foundation laid through Brethren like: Rev’d kila, Barr. Bari, Dame Yawande.The Project of Wesely Guest house began with Dennis Mark is still onging with succeeding Presybers handling the project with levity.

The project when completed would have addressed the quantum of funds spent in accommodating various Guests in Abuja.He was highly favoured as he became a Bishiop of Owerri within 10 months. He was a Pentecostal Minister with an endowed intergrity.

He came to the Arch-Diocese of Abuja in 1998 as a tent making Deacon Minister. He displayed great audacity as a born again Minister. He is a trained Mechanical Engineer but a Banker in practice and made the best of his Spiritual calling into the Ministry. He became a Presbyter in 2012 and shedded his tent in 2016. He acted as a Cathedral Presbyter as above tenur when Very Rev’d Dennis Mark suddenly became a Bishop within 10 months. Very Rev’d Nwade introduced a wide range of welfare incentives for the Cathedral Ministers.

Very Rev’d Ibikunle who was still at Ecumenrial Christ Church in Port Harcourt eventually assumed duties. Very Rev’d Nwade later became a Synod Secretary in 2019 & 2021 respectively. As a priest and a Banker he sponsored many Spiritual outreaches, supported land purchases for satellite Churches. He was a great eloquent speaker, a motivator and emancipator of good ideals for the growth of the church home and abroad particularly in Baltimore USA. His family had earlier re-locted to USA where he made impact work in Methodism.The aggregate of his contribution earned him the consideration of the MCN Conference to elect him a Bishop in 2022 to USA (Baltimore).

He assumed duty with great enthusiasm totake Methdism to the next level. A great hymnologist, musicologist and an eccelessitional liturgist. Had great respect for elders and consulted widely despite loaded wealth of experience. He felt our 3-Bedroom manse at area 11 Garki, was inadequate for Cathedral presbyter. He purchased 4 Bedroom Duplex as a Cathedral manse at the city of David Estate Kuchibena. Bought 2 vehicles, (a Church Bus and the Presbyter’s official jeep 4 Runner).

He started Prayer and fasting for the Retirees every Thurdays 6am-9am but now 10am-12noon. He started the Young People Church where Rev’d Mirabel Mbwah was the first Minister now Pastored by Very Rev’d Dapo Daramola. Very Rev’d Jacob Ibikunle was an excellent Manager of Heterogeneous Worshipping Community. He was made a Bishop and posted to Okun Diocese. During this period Lokoja Circuit was excised from Abuja Diocese to Okun Diocese in 2015.

He was an Arch-Diocesan Council Secretary and the Cathedral Presbyter. He was a man with elitist discipline. He fascilitated with great zeal funding the support to the Conference. During his tenure he uplifted the Preaching station of Gosa to a full Church with the support of Trinity Band Society planting of Churches at the satellite towns.

A very matured Presbyter in ethics and ethos of Methodism, with the large population of the Church, He further grouped the church into regional application of the Worshipping Community, though with parallel concept of managing a Heterogeneous Worshipping Community.During his tenure Omo-egbe-Od’ua was formed, fellowed by other sectional creation. He was a core theologian. He was elevated as a Bishop of Isikwato.

Very Rev’d Nosa Nosayaba arrived Abuja Diocese from Jos and was posted to Karmo Circuit In 2016. He was later deployed to the Cathedral in 2018, though replacing Very Rev’d Jonathan Udofia, who was later posted to Cathedral before moving to Karmo in 2018. However, Very Rev’d Nosa Nosayaba did his best on infrastructural development such as acquisition of lock-up shops for the Church, 2-Bedroom flat and the eventual remodeling of the Cathedral Building. He replanted Pyakasa Church earlier demolished in 2007.

He planted Kunchibenna and supported the consolidation of Churches that warranted the creation of Lugbe Circuit. The mingling of Methodist Doctrine with Church of Christ Mission, being his original background, put him antagonistically with his fellow Ministers; and this made him a persistent vengeance advocate. With his infrastructural trait couple with hard work earned him an elevation to the rank of a Bishop to EDO/DELTA Diocese.

He assumed duty with a great zeal and passion for Biblical Teaching with impact in Prayers. He is a pragmatic believer with Charismatic Flair. The 2023 Fire Conference, in which the Guest Speaker was a Methodist, brought a great Spiritual upliftment to the Cathedral members that has been under the state of economic pell-mell ravaging the country. The speaker Very Rev’d Chinedum Okoronkwo brought a great candour and glamour to the thirsty soul of the brethren.

With the Supritendency of the Arch-Bishop Most Rev’d Dr. M.O. Akinwale, two Churches were planted at Garki and Logokoma respectively, this afforded his Grace Most Rev’d Akinwale to post out Rev’ Peter Bank and Very Rev’d Courage accordingly. He Sensitized the Cathedral Council to release the Jabi land for the construction of a befitting Arch-Bishop court.More expansion work on the growth of the Church including massive support for Minna Circuit and Kuje Circuit as possible prospective Dioceses respectively.