{BY PETERNWASIKE, Awka}
The Archbishop of Jesus is Alive Church, Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Onyekachukwu Joseph Nzekwesi, has added another feather to his ecclesiastical cap in his service to God and humanity, by being elevated to the rank of “International Archbishop” during a solemn ceremony held at the Jesus is Alive Church, Eziowelle, on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The ceremony featured a galaxy of erudite and saintly Bishops from Canada, America, Philippine, Indonesia, who came and imparted their blessings to consummate it.
They were led by Archbishop Brinsley Dickson, who is Leader of United Baptist Faith Archdiocese and St. Ann Spiritual Baptist Church. He is also the Chief Prelate of the Soteria International Network of Bishops and Ministers Conclave Canada.
Archbishop Dickson explained that the Soteria International Network of Bishops and Ministers (SINOB), facilitates in mentoring and training individuals to become essential leaders in the community.
He emphasized that they train, ordain and license Pastors and other Ministers to their respective places in ministry, to complete the areas of ministry into which they are called.
They impart into the lives of every member by praying for them, assist them in building up spiritually by educating and training them, providing a platform for growth, being their brothers’ keepers, among other advantages.
The erudite and saintly Prelate affirmed: “Our Foundation is strong because we are focused and totally dependent on God. We come to teach and bring you total transformational experience”.
Archbishop Dickson testified that the newly consecrated Archbishop Onyekachukwu Nzekwesi, has been their student and mentee for a very long time, established his intelligence, integrity, sensitivity, humanitarian and magnanimity and so is eminently qualified to be elevated to the prestigious rank of “An International Archbishop”.
Preaching the sermon, Archbishop Dr. Kene Ifepe, who is the Founder and Chief Prelate of the Believers Full Gospel Church, Toronto, Canada, testified of the eligibility of Archbishop Nzekwesi for the elevated office.
He drew attention to the criteria of becoming a bishop and affirmed: “For a Bishop, as God’s Steward, must be blameless. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or drunkard or violent, or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, uprightly, holy and self-controlled.
He must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. (Titus 1: 7 – 9).Archbishop Ifepe also intimated that one of the cardinal eligibility for the high office is the virtues of sensitivity, charity, humanitarianism, patriotism, pragmatism, magnanimity, because he must be asked what positive impact he had made in his home community of area of his jurisdiction.
He testified that the candidate, Archbishop Nzekwesi, was a youth who based his congregation at his area of residence and business, in Lagos, the former Federal Capital of Nigeria, and now, the Chief commercial centre of Nigeria.
But, later, with the virtue of patriotism capped with humanitarianism, he relocated to his hometown, Eziowelle in Anambra State, Eastern Region of Nigeria.
He said that this is in line with the admonition of the United Nations Organization (UNO) that capable individuals, organizations and government, should expedite action in rural urbanization, so that youths in villages could have amenities in townships stay at home and achieve socio-economic self-actualization. He said that by making his village, Eziowelle, the Headquarters of his Church, he has attracted urban amenities of roads, electrification, pipe-borne water and business boom with local industrialization.
With his residential presence in the village, Archbishop Nzekwesi is acquainted with the needs and aspirations of the villagers and grants scholarships for qualitative education of children and skill acquisition training of youths, to be gainfully employed or in entrepreneurship.
He testified that Archbishop Nzekwesi hosted a three-day gospel crusade in December 2025, during when he fed the participants with sumptuous meals and administered free medical outreach to the sick, and economic empowerment to create jobs, thus practicing the injunctions of Jesus Christ, “Feed the hungry, cure the sick, help the needy, give without pay, as you received without pay (Matthew 10:1 – 8).
The erudite and saintly Preacher, testified that Archbishop Nzekwesi’s humanitarianism and magnanimity expanded beyond his village, Eziowelle, to the entire Anambra State and beyond, as he is the Grand Patron and Benefactor of Para-military Group of policing the secondary schools, to inculcate morality in the adolescent students, so that they shall grow in virtues, because, “Teach the child the way he should grow, when he grow old, he shall not deviate form it (Proverbs 22:6).
The Preacher affirmed that “Archbishop Nzekwesi is a dynamic spiritual leader, philanthropist and accomplished entrepreneur, widely respected as a true man of God with a deep passion for transforming lives, spiritually and economically. He asserted that Archbishop Nzekwesi has touched countless lives and continues to raise a generation of believers who walk in truth, power and purpose.
The elevation and enthronement was according to biblical injunctions of solemn entering to the church, washing of feet, marching seven of steps, lying on the floor, covered with white bed sheets, placing of sword and staff on his body, with elaborate prayers, anointing of holy oils, rising to the feet, as Jesus Christ was buried and rose from the dead, crowning and decoration with regalia, presentation with certificates, by the ordaining Prelate, Most Rev. Archbishop Dickson, then sitting on the throne as Archbishop, with homage paid by the congregation.
The Congregation of Jesus is Alive Church, Eziowelle, presented a “Message of Felicitation,” signed by Elder Chukwukelu Gregory, and expressed happiness and solidarity that their father, uncle, brother, friend, is leading by example worthy of emulation, and pledged to abide by his worthy examples in words and actions.
The Nzekwesi Family Dynasty, sent a message of congratulation signed by Chief Bob-Francis Nzekwesi, expressing pride that their distinguished son, the Archbishop, is taking them in greater reputation, to international levels. They pledged fervent prayers, for his successes, which are invariably their successes too.
Elevated Archbishop Onyekachukwu Nzekwesi, in his deep appreciation, thanked God for the high office. He also thanked his esteemed brothers in Christ and family, for supporting his ambitions in the service to God and humanity. He pledged to remain consistent and progressive in meeting the expectations of the exalted office.
Among the respected clerics who graced the occasion, were, Bishop Emmanuel Jacobs, the Founder of Vast Army Evangelical Ministries, Indonesia, Venerable Chima Samuel Nzewi, Philinnes Missionary, and many others.
