06/05/2022
*COMMENTARY ON THE ENTHRONEMENT OF THE RIGHT REVEREND MANASSES CHIJIOKEM OKERE AS THE 3RD DIOCESAN BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF UKWA, ANGLICAN COMMUNION.*
In the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus Christ mandated his disciples to "Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations". In obedience to this Great Commission, the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ came to Ukwa land in the 1850s through the agency of the Church Missionary Society in conjunction with the Niger Mission. And, on the 10th day of January 1994, the Diocese of Ukwa Anglican Communion was inaugurated covering the then Ndoki, Asa, Azumini, and Oyigbo Archdeaconries, with the Right Reverend Uju Otuokwesiri Wachukwu Obinya as the pioneer Bishop. He was succeeded by the Right Reverend Samuel Kelechi Eze as the 2nd Bishop of the Diocese of Ukwa in 2004, and he retired in 2021. To the glory of God, the faithful of the Diocese of Ukwa, Anglican Communion will be witnessing the enthronement service and inauguration of ministry of her 3rd Bishop on the 8th May, 2022 in the person of His Lordship, the Right Reverend Manasses Chijiokem Okere (JP).
The Rt. Rev. Manasses Chijiokem Okere was born to the family of Catechist Titus Nna & Mrs. Cecilia N. Okere (Retired) of Ukebe, Ohuru-Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. He grew up as a child of the parsonage and attended several primary schools due to the missionary nature of his parents, but eventually finished up at Abayi Ariaria Primary school, Aba. His post primary education at Umuagbaghi Secondary School Aba was hampered intermittently due to lack of funds. However, God came to his rescue by miraculously securing for him a scholarship under Arthur Nzeribe Education Foundation, in the old Imo State, which saw him to the end of his Secondary education.
On receiving the call of God into a full time ministry he was already at the verge of hitting his dream which was to study Petrochemical Engineering in the University. As the spiritual pressure was so much on him and upon several futile attempts to dodge the ministry, he finally succumbed and joined the Anglican full time ministry as a Church Teacher in 1993 at the tender age of 19.
In 1994, he was admitted into the prestigious Trinity (Union) Theological College, Umuahia for his Theological education and Pastoral formation from where he graduated with distinction. He was ordained into the Diaconate in 1997, and subsequently priested in 1998, by the Rt. Rev. Prof. Augustine Iwuagwu (late Bishop of Aba Diocese). He grew through the ministerial ladder and was installed a Canon of the Cathedral of St Michael's Aba in 2002 by Bishop A. O. Iwuagwu, and preferred and collated an Archdeacon in 2010 by the Most Rev. Dr. Ugochukwu Ezuoke (Retired Archbishop/Bishop of Aba) who also appointed him Archdeacon on Special Duties.
The call of Rt. Rev. Manasses Okere into the full time Ministry in the Anglican Communion has led him to serve in various places, capacities and Chaplaincies at one time or the other in the Church, Theological College and the government.
Bishop Manasses Okere attended University of Uyo, Nigeria, where he studied Religion and Culture (B.A. Hons), and furthered for his Master of Arts (M.A) degree in Biblical Studies at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo and his Master of Theology (M.Th) at Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Presently, he is rounding off his PGDE program at Abia State University Uturu.
Bishop Manasses Okere was consecrated Bishop in the Church of God for the Anglican Diocese of Isuikwuato-Umunneochi on 18th November, 2012. Since his assumption of the Episcopal See of Isuikwuato-Umunneochi Diocese for 9 years and 5 months, he has done so well to nurture the Diocese more economically, administratively and spiritually, having given the Clergy and the laity fruitful Episcopal and exemplary leadership. Additionally, God has also used him and his wife to establish some viable projects for the Diocese like Gilgal International Classic College, Diocesan Printing Press and Jubilant Table Water Factory with the meager resources at their disposal.
The Rt. Revd. Manasses Chijiokem Okere is a Justice of the Peace, an astute theologian, expositor, composed preacher, erudite scholar, biblical exegete and charismatic administrator with focused vision and passion for the work of God. A church grower, mobilizer and opinion moulder. Manasses is a man who is totally committed to the Great Commission of soul winning and church growth. He believes so much that the Bible as the revealed Will of God is the basic rule for a good life and should be lived out. He is a humble Christian whose parents being Christians and retired church workers (Catechist) inculcated into him the true fear of God. Bishop Manasses Okere is a father, brother, friend and colleague. He is a serene pastor who believes in honesty, transparency and accountability. Being an intelligent, hardworking, diligent and disciplined person, Rt. Rev. Manasses Okere is committed to excellence and subscribes to team work.
He was appointed the Supervisory Bishop of the Diocese of Ukwa from 7th Sept., 2021, by His Grace, Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba (Primate of All Nigeria); and within the few months of his supervision of the Diocese with his wife, God used them to restore peace and reconcile the people. He was later elected on translation to the See of Ukwa on 24th February, 2022.
The Rt. Rev. Manasses Okere is married to his heartthrob, a beautiful and graceful lady, Mrs. Abigail Oluebubechukwu Manas-Okere (Abymanas), who has distinguished herself in her devotion to the service of God from her youth; a woman of valour who has great passion for the Church's ministry and love for the vocation of her husband. She is very sacrificially committed to ensuring that with her husband they fulfil the purpose of God upon their lives. She has been a wonderful supporter and contributor to the success of her husband. She has a certificate in Ministerial Studies, HND in Office Technology & Management, and currently rounding off her Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at Abia State University Uturu. The marriage of Manasses & Abymanas has been both blissful and fruitful and is blessed with five (5) lovely boys who include a set of twins, and who prefer to be called "The Manassites".
On Sunday 8th May, 2022, by the Sovereign will of God, he will be enthroned as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese of Ukwa at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Akwete-Ndoki. The entire Ukwa Diocese are in jubilation to receive their new Bishop.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
