Bishop of Ikeduru Diocese (Anglican Communion) Rt Rev’d Dr Emmanuel Maduwike has cautioned the federal government against any deliberate or unconscious effort geared towards recruiting repentant Boko Haram members into the Nigerian Army.
Bishop Maduwike warned that the nation was currently facing the worst security situation in the history of her nationhood, noting that what used to be a rumour appears to be true at the moment with the manifest leaking of military intelligence to Boko Haram insurgents and bandits who have killed several army high commanding officers in Northern Nigeria with ease.
Preaching a sermon at the 2026 chapter meeting of the Council of Knights, Ikeduru Diocese held in St Andrew’s Church Akabo, on Sunday 10th May, 2026, the prelate remarked that events of today point to the fact that Boko Haram members are either direct officers in our defence architecture or the real officers are friends and allies of insurgents to the point that they share critical military intelligence information with those beasts of no nation leverage that to kill Nigerian soldiers in well coordinated ambushes without a drop of mercy.
Bishop Emmanuel Maduwike called for a very objective inquest into guises of reports suggesting that Nigeria’s top military brass had on several occasions called operational soldiers particularly in the Northeast to retreat or withdraw each time the soldiers closed in on the Boko Haram members and about to finish them all.
The Bishop of Ikeduru equally criticized the use of bandits to scare security operatives and indigenes away alongside Nigeria’s Ministry of Mining whilst the terrorists and their international sponsors freely mine gold and other mineral resources in the North whereas the crude oil in the Southeast and Southsouth are officially explored and sold by the federal government with no impact in the two regions.
On the theme of the Knights Chapter meeting: “Faithfulness in Service” taken from the book of 1st Corinthians 4:1-2, the bishop enjoined the Knights to show serious commitment and faithfulness to God and humanity each time they were called to serve either in the church, government or society.
He noted that Jesus Christ himself was spiritually and physically useful throughout his earthly ministry, adding that many christians today show commitment in service because of what they stand to personally gain in rendering some services that should ordinarily be selfless.
According to Bishop Maduwike, faithfulness is different from commitment. “Many committed servants show commitment because of what they basically gain, they are not in anyway faithful because they feed fat from the service system. Faithfulness is the bye product of Christ’s-controlled lives, every christian should realize this.
In his presidential address at the chapter meeting, President of Ikeduru Council of Knights, Sir Emma Ukonu charged the Knights and their Ladies to reflect on the theme of the annual event, be loyal in God’s calling, diligent in their duties, and be faithful to God who has remained faithful to all his children.
Adding her voice, the Ladies’ Coordinator Lady Ann Onwuegbu thanked her members for attending in their numbers and urged them to emulate St Paul in the bible who remained faithful and reliable from his conversion to the end of his life.
Chairman of the chapter meeting planning committee Sir Obinna Akakuru and his secretary Sir Godwin Osuji had earlier welcomed the delegates and assured that the Knights of Ikeduru would do their best in showing commitment and faithfulness to God’s work and humanity at large. The unique annual event was chaired by Sir Ikechukwu Onyemekara.
Chaplain of the Knights Ven Dr Sam Anumihe and his assistant Rev Nelson Edozie effectively handled the bible study aspect of the spirit-filled convocation whilst Sir Chidi Emeagi and Sir Ben Anochie moderated the ceremony.
The three day event ended with a Thanksgiving service, award presentation to few distinguished personalities and fund raise for the completion of the Knights’ Secretariat project in Atta. Those honored at the ceremony included former Imo State Commissioner for Lands and current Vice Chairman of ADC in the Southeast, Sir Bon Unachukwu, an international business mogul, Sir Chigbo Nwanekwu and a doyen of community development Sir Victor Asams.
Wife of the Bishop, Nnedimma Anuli Maduwike, Clerical Synod Secretary Ven J.B.C Njoku, Registrar of the Diocese, Sir Sam Kamange, Sir Prof Victor Obinna Njoku, Sir Prof Jasper Onuekwusi, Sir Foster Uwakwe, Dame Dr Happiness Uhuegbu, Asso Prof Nwolise, among others were present at the occasion.
The grand finale of the chapter meeting also featured, cutting of cake, trooping of colours, inspection of guard of honor by the Knights’ Superior and ceremonial parade by the Knights and Ladies.
