By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Methodist Church Nigeria has elevated the Rt. Revd. Dr. Ukut Otuekong Esq to the position of the Archbishop of Calabar, with responsibility to superintend over the entire Cross River State.
The elevation was announced following a major restructuring of the church in the state.
Under the new arrangement, the former Diocese of Atamunu has been renamed the Diocese of Calabar Central, and a new Diocese of Calabar North has been created, bringing the total number of dioceses in the state to four.
The four are the Diocese of Calabar at Edgerton, which is the mother and main diocese, the Diocese of Calabar Central covering the university community, the Diocese of Calabar North covering Odukpani and Biase, and the Diocese of Ikom covering Obudu and Obanliku.
Speaking on his elevation, Archbishop Otuekong said, “I have now been made the Archbishop of the Calabar Diocese. That is the Bishop of the Calabar Diocese. And then the Archbishop of the whole of Calabar. You can say the whole of Cross River State. So all the four dioceses, I superintend over.”
He described his seat at Edgerton as historic, being the first diocese established in the Methodist Church in Nigeria.
He said, “That Edgerton is the first diocese in Nigeria, inaugurated on January 28, 1976. It is the first diocese and is senior to every other diocese in the country.”
On his mandate, the Archbishop said he will work with other bishops to ensure evangelism and church growth across the state, adding, “I now have to pray with them and ensure that individually, in each of the dioceses, we expand the kingdom of God through evangelism.”
Addressing the challenges of the higher office, Archbishop Otuekong said he is not afraid of the responsibility associated with the office, declaring that divine appointment comes with divine qualification.
He added, “God first, after all, He appoints, then He qualifies. There are so many obstacles, but I’m not afraid. Because when you are with God, with the Holy Spirit, He fights for you.”
The new Archbishop said that as he assumes office as Archbishop to superintend over Cross River, his primary intention is to foster unity and aggressive evangelism across the four dioceses under his watch.
He stressed that he intends to work closely with the Bishops of Calabar Central, Calabar North and Ikom to ensure that each diocese expands the kingdom of God in its own domain, while he continues to provide direct pastoral leadership in the mother Diocese of Calabar at Edgerton.
He said that, his focus will be on church planting, strengthening existing congregations, discipleship and ensuring that the Methodist doctrine and discipline are upheld throughout the state.
He added that he will prioritise prayer, collaboration and purposeful leadership to overcome obstacles and grow the church in Cross River.
