Christian Aggrey Apena
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Christian Aggrey Apena | |
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| Born | May 16, 1931 |
| Died | December 10, 2022 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
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Christian Aggrey Apena (May 16, 1931 - October 10, 2022),[1] also known as Christian Aggrey Ovwoma Apena, was a Nigerian religious figure who founded the Bethesda Gospel Mission. He was the first ordained Pentecostal Bishop and Archbishop in Delta State, Nigeria.[2][3][4] [5][6][7][8][9] Apena's father was the first pastor in the Isoko region ordained on 31 December 1931 and Apena himself was almost ordained an Anglican Church pastor before a religious crisis made him leave the church.[1][2][3][7][8] According to him, "I left the Anglican Church because I had the Pentecostal spirit that they didn't have".[1] While still in the Church of Nigeria, Apena said that he had a disagreement with the late Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu, who accused him of "disturbing his ministry" in the Nigerian Anglican Church.[1] After leaving the Nigerian Anglican Church, he worked with the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa in the Church of God Mission International but parted ways with him to start his own ministry.[1]
Ministry
Apena started his ministry at his hometown Irri in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.[2] Regarded as "a father of Pentecostalism" in Delta State,[9] he was credited with ordaining and mentoring many Nigerian religious figures in the state.[1][2][4][5][6][7][8][10]
According to Delta State former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Apena left "the legacies of integrity and sound biblical teachings".[11] Okowa also noted that "he was a strong voice in the Christian community where he taught the word of God without fear or favour".[11]
Apena was also said to have "left behind a legacy of humility, integrity, truthfulness and steadfastness to God".[7] It was believed that he fought "a good fight of faith and completed his earthly race and mission".[10]
Death and burial
Apena died in the early hours of Monday, 10 October 2022 at the age of 91.[2][3][10][12] He was not reported to be sick prior to his death.[8][13]
The burial ceremony of the late Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena took place at his hometown Irri from 21 to 24 December 2022.[12] Notable Deltans in attendance included Ifeanyi Okowa, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ayo Oritsejafor, Stella Omu and many other people.[8][13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Why I fought Idahosa, Anglicans - Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena - Vanguard News".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Nigeria, NewsNet (October 10, 2022). "First Pentecostal Bishop in Delta dies".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ibrahim, Halima (October 10, 2022). "Archbishop Apena Dies At 91".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Metro, Asaba (October 11, 2022). "Archbishop Apena was a General in God's Army - Macaulay".
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Macaulay expresses grief over Archbishop Apena's demise - Advocate.ng". October 11, 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Grief All Over Delta State, As Archbishop Apena Transits | The Oasis Reporters". www.theoasisreporters.com. October 12, 2022.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Ukodhiko mourns Archbishop Apena".
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Okowa, Uduaghan, others honour Archbishop Apena as a 'Great Gift to Humanity'". December 23, 2022.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "IANA PG, Olomu mourns late spiritual leader, Archbishop Apena".
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Omote Laments Archbishop Apena's Demise". www.politicsgovernance.com. 10 October 2022.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Okowa Mourns Archbishop Apena". TheScript Nigeria. 12 October 2022.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Odagwe leads provincial heads of CGMI in Isoko to condole family of late Arc Bishop Apena". NewsNet Nigeria.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Okowa Describes Late Archbishop Was A Great Gift To Humanity". Ndokwa Reporters. 24 December 2022.
External links
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