Church Of Nigeria,  Anglican Communion Mourns, As His Grace, Most Revd. Maxwell Anikwenwa Dies

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, is in mourning. It has lost one of its most respected Clergy man.

The Most Rev’d Maxwell Anikwenwa (Rtd), former Dean of the Church has exited Mother-earth. Anikwenwa passed on Monday, 13th March 2023.

His death was announced in  a statement signed on behalf of the Church by the General Secretary Venerable (Dr.) Paul Dajur.

Most Revd Anikwenwa died at the age of 83.

The Archbishop was a former Archbishop of Province II and a Retired Bishop of Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

Reads the statement which announced his death:

Archbishop Anikwenwa was the former Archbishop of Province II and the Retired Bishop of Awka Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

The statement by the Church of Nigeria General Secretary to announce his death reads that the late Clergyman was ordained a deacon in 1966 at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha and Priested 1968 in same Church.

He was Consecrated Diocesan Bishop of Awka in 1987  and elected Archbishop of Province II in  year 2000. He became the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in the same 2000.

His Grace, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa was a Colossus in the priesthood and his pastoral calling generally. He received his ministerial training early in life.

His Grace was widely travelled and had seen the other comfort side of life but  remained focused and unmoved in his pastoral calling.

As Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Anambra State, he always stood tall and stoutly defended the cause of the downtrodden and less privileged in the State and beyond when the occasion demanded.

Education and Training

• Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha
• St Mark’s Teachers College Nibo-Nise
• Trinity Theological College Umuahia Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra-Leone
• Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies. Geneva
• Ripon College. Cuddeson, Oxford Theological.

Other Academic Qualifications

• West African School Certificate (WASC) 1959
• Teacher’s Grade Two Certificate (TC2) 1961
• Diploma in Theology London (DIPTIL) 1966
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Philosophy 1972
• PGD Ecumenism 1973
• Master of Arts (M.A) 1975

Academic Publications/Research Work Bishop’s Charge Yearly (From 1987) • God’s Grace All The Way 2002.

Priestly Ministry

• Ordained Deacon, 1966 at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha Priested. 1968 at All Saijnts Cathedral Onitsha • Appointed Chaplain 1966 1969 at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha • Seconded as Chaplain 1966 1969 to The Archbishop of West Africa • Assistant Priest 1969 1972 at Philip’s Patten Street. Free Town and All Saints Kissy Road. • Vicar 1976 1987 at St. Andrew’s Church Onitsha • He was preferred a Canon of All Saints Cathedral Onitsha 1976 • Synod Secretary 1975 1986 Diocese on The Niger • Secretary. Diocesan Bishop ofAwka 1987 • Consecrated Diocesan Bishop of Awka 1987 • Elected Archbishop of Province 11 2000 • Dean. Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2000 • Elected Chairman. Christian Association of Nigeria. Anambra State 2001 Date International Conferences Attended • World Students1 Christian Federation Lusaka Zambia 1971 • All African Conferences of Churches. Lusaka Zambia 1974 • Conferences of Urban Missioners West Africa Darkar Senegal 1977 • Mission Issues Strategy and Advisor}’ Group of Anglican Consulate Council London 1987 • Anglican Consulate Council Nairobi, Kenya 1989 • Anglican Consulate Council Florida USA 1990 • Anglican Consulate Council Kota Kinabalu South Africa 1992 • Conference of Anglican Provinces in Africa Kenya 1988 • Conference ofAnglican Provinces in Africa Zimbabwe 1991 • Lambent Conference England 1988 • Anglican Consultative Council South Africa 1993 • South South Encounter (Anglican Province in the Third World) Limuru Kenya 1993 • Lambent Conference England 1998 • All Anglican African Conference of Bishops. AAACB Lagos Nigeria 2005 Awards and Prizes • Solomon Caulker Memorial Prize in Philosophy. University of Sierra Leaone 1971 • Best Course Student. Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies Geneva 1973 .ArchbishopAnikwenwa remains an Icon of hope and integrity, he believes in fairness and transparent honesty.

May God comfort his family, the Diocese of Awka, Province of the Niger and the Church of Nigeria as a whole and grant him eternal rest