HISTORY OF OGIDI ARCHDEACONRY
When Ogidi (St Philip’s) district was excised from Onitsha in 1913, it came away with almost all the Churches in all the surrounding communities. As late as 1967 all seven districts that earlier constituted Ogidi. Archdeaconry has started breaking away from St Philip’s district into separate and independent districts.
They included: St Philip’s district 1913
Holy Trinity district Abatete 1968
Ebenezer district Ogidi 1970
St Michael’s dictrict Umudioka 1983
St John’s district carved out of Abatete district in 1987
St Paul’s district Ogidi 1989
Immanuel district Umunnachi carved out of Abatete district in 1991.
Each of these districts was independent, managing
It’s own affair and dealing directly with the Onitsha Archdeaconry headquarters of Christ Church Onitsha. When Awka Diocese was carved out of the Diocese on the Niger in 1987, it took away with two of the four Archdeaconries that made up the Diocese on the Niger. What was left of the Diocese then was, in the language of the then Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr J.A. Onyemelukwe “like a four-wheel coach standing outwardly on two”. This was the position of things till December 12th 1991, when Bishop Onyemelukwe announced to the Diocesan Board the creation of six new Archdeaconries in the Diocese on the Niger to bring the number to a comfortable and balance of eight. Ogidi Archdeaconry was one of the new Archdeaconries. Its area covered the Churches in town of Ogidi, Abatete, Eziowelle, Abacha, Umunnachi and Umudioka , with seven established districts (now parishes) namely:
St Philip’s Church Ogidi
Holy Trinity Church Abatete
Ebenezer Church Ogidi
St Paul’s Church Ogidi
St Michael’s Church Umudioka
St John’s Church Eziowelle
Immanuel Church Umunnachi
All of them were nearly a one-Church Parish each. Venerable Christian Muoghalu (of the blessed memories) was the first Archdeacon. He was collated and installed on February 1st 1992 when the Archdeaconry was officially inaugurated. Ven. Muoghalu piloted the affairs of the new Archdeaconry with dedication and dynamism to bring his visionary Achievements. Under Ven. Muoghalu’s short stay, his wife mobilized the Archdeaconry Women that they were able to establish Holy Land Nursery/Primary School within St Philip’s Church compound Ogidi. Ven. Muoghalu suddenly died in 1993.
He was succeeded by Ven. Andrew I. Ibeh in 1994. Under Ven. Ibeh and wife Sylver Ugochinyere, the present ultra modern Cathedral size Church building at St Philip’s Church Ogidi was started. Ven. Ibeh left in January 1999 and was succeeded by Ven. Dr Emmanuel E. Meoba (January 1999 – January2001); Ven. Dr Isaac I. Ikele who celebrated the 10th year Anniversary of the Archdeaconry. Ven. Jeremiah O. Iloeje replaced Ven. Ikele and was incharge of the Archdeaconry from 20 – 2009. He was succeeded by Ven. Dr Emmanuel Ejianya (2009-2010). He was succeeded by Ven. Obi Ubaka (2011 – 2014) and the incumbent Archdeacon Ven. Samuel N. Adoro who was collated and installed on 8th March 2015.
2. GROWTH OF OGIDI ARCHDEACONRY
2:1 Establishment of new Parishes and Churches, ever since 1992, there has been marked signs of growth in various areas of the Archdeaconry’s life. For instance, as against the original seven Parishes with which the Archdeaconry took off, it has grown into fourteen Parishes (14) twenty-five (25) full grown Churches with one Chapel and two extention Churches. Recently the Bishop on the Niger Rt Rev. Dr Owen Nwokolo carved out Abatete Archdeaconry out of Ogidi Archdeaconry. The Abatete Archdeaconry is made up of five Parishes and seven Churches.
The Ogidi Archdeaconry now has nine Parishes with eighteen Churches (18), one Chapel and two Extension Churches.
They include:
ST PHILIP’S CHURCH OGIDI
St Philip’s Church Ogidi
All Saints Church Ogidi
Church of the Pentecost Ogidi
St Philip’s Extention Church Odida Ogidi
EBENEZER PARISH OGIDI
Ebenezer Church Ogidi
St Andrew’s Church Ogidi
St Gabriel’s Church Ogidi
Immuanuel Church Ogidi
St Georges Church Ogidi
ST PAUL’S PARISH OGIDI
St Paul’s Church Ogidi
St Micheal’s and all Angels Church Ogidi
St John’s Church Ogidi
St John’s Church Extention Ogidi
ST MICHAEL’S PARISH UMUDIOKA
St Micheal’s Church Umudioka
Christ Church Umudioka
IMMANUEL PARISH UMUNNACHI
Immanuel Church Umunnachi
ST PETER’S PARISH OGIDI
St Peter’s Church Ogidi
ST PETER’S PARISH UMUDIOKA
St Peter’s Church Umudioka
ST MARK’S PARISH UMUNNACHI
St Mark’s Parish Umunnachi
ST PAUL’S PARISH UMUNNACHI
St Paul’s Church Umunnachi
Chapel of Divine Compassion Iyi-Enu
2:2 SCHOOL EXTABLISHMENT
The Women Ministry in Ogidi Archdeaconry plays a leading role in the establishment of School. They started the Holy Land Nursery / Primary School situated within the premises of St Philip’s Church Ogidi.
The School has since received the approval of the state government. St Philip’s Church Ogidi followed by establishing Day Star Comprehensive Secondary School Ogidi. The School is today the pride and choice of most Parents and Students within and beyond the Archdeaconry areas.
It is heart-warming to note that almost all the parishes in the Archdeaconry can now boast of having Nursery and Primary Schools. This is another great stride which will blend education and evangelism in order to re-establish the glorious mission School system of the old which had emphasized on education as well as moral and spiritual upbringing of pupils and Students.
2:3 WELFARE SCHEME
Development within the Archdeaconry took a new dimension with the establishment the caring and sharing ministry by the Archdeaconry women Ministry. The Women used the auspices of the Ministry to cater for welfare of hundreds of widows aged and less privileged women in the Archdeaconry. All the Churches have organized one welfare scheme or the other to carter for the needs of her members.
2:4 ARCHDEACONRY SECRETARIATE PROJECT.
IN 1999, the Archdeaconry started the construction of the Secretariat complex. The aim was to provide offices for the Archdeacon and Archdeaconry staff banking hall and offices for various other committees. The project is yet to be completed.
THE FUTURE OF THE ARCHDEACONRY
The Ogidi Archdeaconry has lofty plans for further development as well as in evangelism and other areas of human Endeavour. It is her clarion calls that all and sundry will join hands together to ensure that the Archdeaconry lives upto the expectations.