A renowned missionary, Dr Godspower Akandu has been formally appointed as the new World Bishops’ Council (WBC), World Federation of Churches (WFC) and World Clergies Congress Nuncio (Ambassador Extraordinary) to Africa.
He was also elected as the sole African representative in the 12-member executive College of the highest decision making organ of the three world bodies.
He replaces the late Archbishop, Professor Alfred Adefolarin Adelekan, who was the late Arch Prelate, of the International House of Prayer, who died in the United States of America after a lengthy Africa tour.
According to a statement issued by Bishop Seun Adeoye who was also just been picked as the bodies’ Director of Publicity in the continent on Friday, May 11, 2018, the appointment of Bishop Akandu was ratified at the global patriarchal conference held recently and anchored in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, and presided over by the WBCs International President, Archbishop Dr Timothy Paul.
Founded in 1997, WBC with its international headquarters at New York, USA is the largest ecumenical council of Christian bishops, churches and clerics, contending for unity in the faith with representatives in all the continent of the world.
Bishop Akandu, an administrator and a human and civil right activist will promote among others inter and intra – religious dialogue for the advancement of global peace, unity, welfare, development and good will while working to bring social programs to those in need, and strengthen diplomatic and religious relations, throughout Africa, on behalf of the WBC, and its sister organizations, the WFC and WCC.
The WBC has several operative branches in areas of social justice, peace, economic development, ecclesiastical endorsement, humanitarian aid, governmental affairs, education, finance, health, women and youth affairs, mediation, rehabilitation and so on.
The body has recently appointed 112 Bishops as WBC coordinators in various countries and regions in Africa and has about 2,000 affiliate Colleges of Bishops.
In his acceptance speech, Bishop Akandu urged Africans to be more prayerful, loving, dedicated to God, ensure peaceful co–existence, and eschew violence, extremism, hate speeches and maintain an egalitarian society.