The Bishop of Okrika Diocese,Rt Revd.EnochAtuboyedia spoke on a number of issues In an interview with current matters blog on Thursday, in Abuja during the ongoing General Synod of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion,.
The newly consecrated Bishop said his priority is to make sure that the church in Okrikaland becomes a strong voice in the land so that she could influence the community positively. “That is my primary focus with regards to the church and the community.”
” I hate a situation where one day somebody in the community will just come up traditionally and say every woman stay indoors don’t come out ,or if you must do Okurukaka, you must dress half naked but I believe that .If the church becomes a strong voice, the church can stand up to resist these things so my number one priority is to make the church to be a strong voice.
On the role of the church in development of society, Bishop Atuboyedia said,”it is obvious that it was actually the advent of christianity that brought about Education and development on Nigeria and so if we are talking about the role of the church and development, without the church in Nigeia there will be no development there will be no Education, there will be no growth .So all that Nigeria is enjoying and experiencing in terms of Education and development are all product of the church.
Speaking on his motivation to priesthood he said” At the age of 7 I was aware that I was going to be a clergy.Idont know how it happened but God laid it on my heart and I told my aged father.My father is about 94 now,I told him that Papa,I will be a priest So If there is anything that motivates me, I believe that it is the call of God.I know Iam not perfect,I know Iam a man full of sin,but again I also know that I am a man that has decided to say yes to God.Anything that God says Enoch do this,by God’s grace,I will do it
On the future of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, the Man of God said,”I believe in the years ahead ,the church of Nigeria Anglican Church will become a strong voice in the world.Infact she would be at the forefront of evangelism.This church I believe is what God will use for the end -time harvest to prepare people for the rapture”
Talking about his impression of the Nigerian state, the clergyman said.’ I believe that is a better tommorow for Nigeria
On Monday, September 21, Atuboyedia was consecrated along with 3 others by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Archbishop Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp ,Abuja .
They are Right Revd.PeterOludipe, Diocese of Ijebu, Right Revd.Adegoke Agara, Diocese of Idoani and Right Revd Gabriel Elabor, Diocese of Esan.
Below is the profile of Right Revd.Enoch Atuboyedia by Charles Ogan
RT. REVD. ENOCH ATUBOYEDIA
BISHOP, DIOCESE OF OKRIKA
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered, it is a command to be obeyed.”
- Hudson Taylor
An intercessor, evangelist and revivalist Enoch Atuboyedia’s foray into the sacred vine yard of the Lord was not an option to be considered, he obeyed the command of the risen Christ to be a vessel for the spread of the gospel to all nations (Matt 28:20). At the age of seven, he made a prophetic statement to his father: “I will be a pastor” - The 7th of eight surviving children, Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia was born on Friday 10th March 1972 at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was well brought up by his parents Pa Enoch Atuboyedia of Amafina House, Ambemebiri and Late Mrs. Silverline Abomake Atuboyedia of Kirikeneabere-Bilogbolo, Gream Ama, who imparted in him the agelong family values of humility, integrity and self-reliance.
- Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia was baptised by the Revd. S.P.O Mamah in 1973 and became a Helper at age ten in the Children’s Church of St. Peter’s Church, Okrika in 1982. He gave his life to Christ in 1987 when he was only fifteen years and started Teaching in Adult Sunday School at the age of 20. He was confirmed by Late Bishop Samuel O. Elenwo at St. Mary’s Church, Kalio Ama in 1994.
- Enoch Atuboyedia attended the Boys State School, Okrika from 1978 to 1984 and the famous Okrika Grammar School (OGS), Okrika and obtained the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) in 1991. He established a successful Laundry and Dry-cleaning enterprise at Okrika from 1991 to 1994, but his pre- destined inclination for God’s Ministry took him to Trinity (Union) Theological College, Umuahia in 1994 where he graduated with a Diploma in Theology in 1997. In his quest for further education
- Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia, holds the Bachelor of Education Degree (B.Ed.) in Religious Studies of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuelimini, Port Harcourt Rivers State and a Master of Divinity Degree from the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
- Enoch Atuboyedia was ordained Deacon at St. Peter’s Church, Okrika on 20th July, 1997 by the Rt. Revd. Gabriel H. Pepple, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta, his first as a Bishop. He was priested at Bethel Anglican Church, Amadi Ama on 29th November 1998 and installed Canon of St Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika on 26th September 2010. He was preferred and collated Archdeacon at the same Cathedral by the Rt Revd Tubokosemie Robinson Abere (JP)) on 28th December, 2012.
- Enoch Atuboyedia left indelible marks in the various churches he served as Curate, Vicar and Archdeacon and inspired hope in the congregations. At St. John’s Anglican Church, Abuloma where he was Curate from 1997 – 1998, he mobilized and gathered materials for the building of the present magnificent Church. At St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Abonnema (1998 – 2000), he supervised the vestry extension project, and at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Emago-Kugbo (2000 – 2004), he completed the Church building and built a new parsonage. Others are St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ibuluya/Dikibo-Ama (2004 – 2007) – Church and Parsonage building, All Saints Anglican Church, Okochiri Parish (2007 – 2012) – new Church building, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika (as Cathedral Archdeacon 2012 – 2019 – Staff Quarters, mini Estate project and Bethel Anglican Church, Amadi-Ama (2019 – September, 2020) – 100 KVA Generator and completion of interlock works.
- A gifted preacher and teacher, Enoch Atuboyedia’s missions and evangelism resulted in revival and establishment of many churches including St. Joseph’s Church, Ogoloma (March 2011), St. Patrick’s Church, Orubo Ama (2009), St. Hilda’s Church, Daka Ama (November 2004), and Church of the Resurrection, Obianime Ama (April 2005.) In addition, he planted: Christ Church, Okari Ama, St. Michael’s Church, Tamunobie Ama, Okochiri and Christ the King’s Church, Egweme Biri, Okrika between 2004 and 2013.
Enoch Atuboyedia was the First Chaplain of Boys Brigade Nigeria, 1st Akuku Toru LGA (Akulga) Company 1998 – 2000, First Chaplain of the Kalabari Group Council of the Boys Brigade 1998 – 2004, First Chaplain of the Rivers State Council of Boys Brigade Nigeria 2002 – 2006., and First Chaplain of the Council of Knights, Diocese of Okrika from 2004 – 2014
Similarly, he was Assistant Coordinator, Anglican Communion Brigade from 2002 to 2004 of Old Province 2 (currently comprising 5 Provinces and 54 Dioceses) and Chaplain/Coordinator of the Prayer Ministry, Diocese of Okrika, where he successfully organized the annual Diocesan Prayer Conference from 2014 to 2020. He served the Rivers State Government as a Member, Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Integrated Medical Industry, 2018/2019.
Enoch Atuboyedia was elected Bishop during the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in Abuja on 22nd July, 2020..
In the life of Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia the number “3” is significant. He is the 3rd priest from his patrimonial linage. The first two are the late Venerable Harold E. Oriaku and Revd. (Lt.) T.N. Oriaku. In his matrimonial family, he is the number 3 ordained pastor. The others are the late Revd. Wokoma Solomon Harrison and the Venerable Biebele Obuoforibo. Enoch Atuboyedia is also the 3rd Anglican Bishop of Okrika extraction. The first two are the Rt. Revd. Tubokosemie Robinson Abere (JP) and the late Bishop Anga Fred Nyanabo. Biblically, the Number 3 is the number of God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
His ambition is to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, the Rt. Revd Tubokosemie Abere for continued growth and development of the Diocese spiritually and economically.
Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia is happily married to Mrs Aikiogha E Atuboyedia and they are blessed with children.
