BY SIR OSELOKA OFFOR
Like a man who has a date with history, Arch Bishop Jonathan Arinzechukwu Onyemelukwe came at a time people needed rescue from satanic influences occasioned by spiritual blindness and lack of civilization. Born in 1930 at Nanka, Anocha Local Government Area of Anambra State to Nze Mark Ejike Onyemelukwe and Madam Amanya Onyemelukwe, both of blessed memory, the late Arch Bishop started his formal education at St. James' Church Vernacular School Nanka and Ekwulobia Central School. He had his secondary education at Dennis Memorial Grammar School. It was there that he received a call to be a pastor. On successful completion, he was posted to Nsukka in 1951 as a church helper and auxiliary teacher.
In 1952, he was re-located to Amawbia Central School under the tutelage of a white missionary staff of St. Paul's College Awka , Reverend George Bernard of the Church Missionary Society CMS. In 1953, he moved on to Trinity College Umuahia where he completed his general ordination course and obtained Diploma in Theology Certificate of London University. He was ordained a deacon in 1955 after which he travelled to Canada for further studies where he obtained higher degrees. He became a full time missionary and worked as a chaplain under the Arch Bishop of West Africa living in Sierra Leone until 1959 and then got married to young beatrice Onubuaku Anwuna. Being a missionary committed to transforming the unjust structures of the society as well as protecting the integrity of God's creation, Reverend Jonathan Onyemelukwe was away when the Nigeria Civil war broke out. He returned in 1969. Worried by the agonies of the civil war and extent of destruction of lives and property, Reverend Onyemelukwe undertook several works of charity, helping the sick and bringing relief materials under world council of churches. At the end of the war in 1970, he was posted to the present Awka Diocese and appointed the Archdeacon of the Awka Archdeaconry.
After one year, he was appointed Principal of Trinity Theological College, Umuahia in 1971 where he served until December 1974 when he was elected Bishop. He was consecrated by the Archbishop of West Africa, the Most Reverend M. Scott on February 23rd 1975. Coming on board as Bishop , the Right Reverend Dr. Jonathan Onyemelukwe widened the scope of evangelism and brought the gospel to the door steps of the people resulting in thousands of Christian converts, springing up of churches, and elimination of fear, superstition and ungodly practices in many towns and villages. Bishop Onyemelukwe successfully completed the All Saints Cathedral Church Onitsha, making it a thing of pride and a place of pilgrimage for Christians. This edifice was dedicated by the Most Reverend Adetiloye on First Novenmber, 1992. Bishop Onyemelukwe served in various positions within the church. He represented the Church of Nigeria on Peace and Justice Network of the World Wide Anglican Communion for more than ten years. He also served as Commissioner in the World Council of Churches , Medical Mission for over six years.
Finally, he was honoured with special award in acknowledgement of his outstanding contributions during his tenure as Dean of Church of Nigeria by the Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola, the immediate past Primate of All Nigeria. Committed to a sustainable Anglican Spirituality, Bishop Onyemelukwe saw to the carving out of the Awka Diocese of the Communion and after ten years of its existence, Nnewi was also carved out. He expanded the involvements of the mission in Education, Health Care and Moral upbringing of people, resulting in the setting up of the Holy Innocents Juniorate Convets Nkpor, St. Christopher Junior Seminary Onitsha, the famous Iyienu Mission Hospital and other hospitals and clinics in the hinterlands of the Diocese on the Niger. Furthermore, he reintroduced the Knighthood in the Church of Nigeria in 1978 in a bid to give credible leadership to the laity of the church. It is obvious that from the on set, Arch Bishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe has set a clear cut agenda for his Episcopacy.
Source: FRCN daily commentary
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