By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.

As the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi marks its 30th anniversary, the Bishop, Right Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, has called for government involvement and partnership in touching the lives of the people.

The Bishop made the call during a press conference on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary, Uruagu, Nnewi, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi.

He noted that the Church had for 30 years remained committed to spreading the gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and giving back to society through their various intervention programs that need to be supported.

Bishop Obi disclosed that the Diocese of Nnewi started on 14th February, 1996, with three archdeaconries: Nnewi archdeaconry, Amichi archdeaconry, and Ihiala archdeaconry, adding that it had about 28 parishes, 86 churches with about 38 priests, and 3 mission schools.

Remarkably, as of today, he said Nnewi Diocese has 25 archdeaconries, 78 parishes, and 173 churches with 273 priests as against 38 priests it had when it started.

He further disclosed that the diocese presently has 78 returned private schools, 36 mission schools, 23 mission secondary schools and 25 returned secondary schools, marking a total number of 103 returned schools, one seminary, and 2 convents.

Infrastructurally speaking, Bishop Obi said Nnewi Diocese has acquired so many properties and has grown significantly.

“One of the greatest achievements of the diocese is the area of spirituality, even though it is not measurable. Spiritually, it has grown tremendously through our radio and television stations.

“God has helped the diocese to touch areas that need intervention, as in agriculture, education, human capacity development, and also intervention programs to help the less privileged people in the society.

“The diocese has a rehabilitation centre where drug addicts and mentally challenged people are being taken care of. We are also deeply involved in agriculture to help in bringing down the cost of goods in the market.

“We have established a digital center for coding and robotics, ADON College of Health Technology. Through our ADON Vocational and Technical Academy, many youths have been empowered with technical skills, aiming to reduce crime and unemployment,” he explained.

He revealed that the diocese has produced rice, yams, garri, and okro in large quantities, adding that they are currently setting up a garri processing plant in Nnewi.

He expressed gratitude to God for the tremendous transformation of the diocese and also to the Pioneer Bishop of the diocese, His Grace, the Most Rev. Prof. Godwin I.N Okpala (JP, OON) and his wife, Mrs. Eugenia Okpala, for their nurture, wisdom, and the Lord has given them and their trust in them.

He prayed that the government would see their efforts and join in partnership to touch lives and bring hope to the common man.