The Right Reverend Enoch Atuboyedia has been officially enthroned as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Okrika, Anglican Communion.
The Enthronement Service which was held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Okrika had eleven Anglican Bishops, government functionaries, the Academia, Captains of industry and traditional Rulers in attendance.
Speaking during the Enthronement service, the Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of Calabar, Most Reverend Tunde Adeleye commended the faithful of Okrika Diocese for their support and prayers which culminated in the smooth transition that produced a new Bishop for the Diocese.
Most Reverend Adeleye who was represented by the Bishop, Diocese of Etche, Right Reverend Precious Nwala emphasized that the Church of Nigeria had been Known for its spirituality, transparency and accountability in leadership, noting that the success and achievement of Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia will justify the efforts of his predecessor, Retired Rt. Revd. Tubokosemie Abere JP.
He thanked the Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Right Revd Blessing Eyindah for combining the activities of two Dioceses for three months and admonished Okrika Christian Faithful as well as the entire people of Okrika Ethnic Nationality to support the newly enthroned Bishop to succeed in his assignment.
Earlier in a sermon, the Bishop Diocese of Okrika, Right Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia thanked the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba for his magnanimity and consideration in ensuring his emergence as the Second Bishop of Okrika Diocese.
Right Revd. Atuboyedia who spoke on co-Labourers with Jesus solicited the partnership of Okrika Christian faithful in actualizing the mandate of Jesus Christ, assuring that his administration will consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor for the betterment of the Diocese.
Rt Revd. Atuboyedia added that the Diocese under his watch will place priority on Evangelism and infrastructural development among others.
RT. REVD. ENOCH ATUBOYEDIA :
A REVIVALIST ON THE SADDLE OF OKRIKA ANGLICAN ECCLESIASTICAL SEE
By Charles OGAN
“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”. It came to pass.
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.
In the various churches he served as Curate, Vicar and Archdeacon Enoch Atuboyedia left indelible marks 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 at 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 three new churches between 2004 and 2013: Christ Church, Okari Ama, St. Michael’s Church, Tamunobie Ama, Okochiri and Christ the King’s Church, Egweme Biri, Okrika Island.
A man of many firsts, 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 played pivotal roles in moulding the character of future leaders of this nation.
Similarly, he was First Chaplain of the Council of Knights, Diocese of Okrika from 2004 – 2014, 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. He was consecrated at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Revd Henry Chukwudum. Ndukuba on Monday 21st September 2020 and was enthroned as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Okrika on Monday 28th September, 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 were 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. Similarly, Of the four Bishops consecrated by Archbishop Henry Ndukuba on 21st September, 2020 Enoch Atuboyedia was number 3. The first two were Bishops Peter Oludipe and Adegoke Agara and the 4th, Gabriel Elabor. 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. His priority is “to make sure that the Church in Okrika land becomes a strong voice in the land so that she could influence the community positively”. Rt. Revd. Enoch Atuboyedia is happily married to Mrs Aikiogha E Atuboyedia and they are blessed with children. May God the trinity guide and lead his new assignment.
