The Anioma Delta Baptist Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Convention has inaugurated the Rev’d Moses Ekene Okolie as its new Conference Chairman, marking a significant moment at the 2026 Annual Session held in Umuaja, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
The four-day Annual Session, which took place from Thursday, February 19 to Sunday, February 22, 2026, witnessed the formal inauguration of the Rev’d Okolie alongside newly appointed executive members of the Conference. The ceremony was one of the major highlights of the gathering.
Rev’d Okolie succeeds the Rev’d Dr. Monday Opone. Until his inauguration, he served as Moderator and Spiritual Leader of the Pilgrim Baptist Association and is currently the Lead Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Issele-Uku, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
A seasoned minister with over 15 years of pastoral experience, the Rev’d Moses Ekene Okolie is widely regarded as a diligent church administrator known for his attention to detail. He is a first-class graduate of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, and is married with children.
Other newly inducted officials include Rev’d Dr. Fabian Iweh as Vice-Chairman, Mr. Michael Atokpe as Recording Secretary, and Pastor Wisdom Gabriel, who assumes office as Conference Public Relations Officer, succeeding Deacon Chijioke Williams Ugbolue.
In his charge during the inauguration, the Conference President and Spiritual Leader, the Rev’d. Dr. Utih Dike, described leadership within the Conference as both a calling and a privilege. He congratulated the new executives and urged them to regard their positions as a sacred responsibility aimed at advancing the Conference to greater heights within the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
Rev’d. Dr. Dike also commended the outgoing leadership, particularly the Rev’d. Dr. Monday Opone and other rotating officers, for their dedicated service, praying that God would reward their labour of love.
In his remarks, the immediate past Conference Chairman, the Rev’d. Dr. Opone, expressed gratitude to the Conference for the opportunity to serve for six years. He emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration and shared vision in Baptist polity.
“As Baptists, we operate a collegial system of leadership, not a one-man show. There must be effective communication of purpose and vision. Our polity provides for checks and balances, and no one should arrogate to himself unfettered authority in decision-making. As the Scriptures remind us, two are better than one. All tendencies toward autocratic leadership must be avoided to prevent resistance that could undermine our collective efforts,” he advised.
Former Vice President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention in charge of Ministerial, the Rev’d. Dr. Gold Anie, later offered prayers for the new officers and urged them to remain steadfast and committed in the discharge of their duties.
The Annual Session, themed “Entering into Newness: Manifesting the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit,” concluded with the ordination of seven pastors into the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
Those ordained are Rev’d. Joseph Nkeonyeasua Igbowa, Rev’d. Ejiro Jolly Ogaga, Rev’d. Prince Ijeoma Chukwuneku, Rev’d. Oghenovo Anthony Orhorhoro, Rev’d. Uwadia Israel, Rev’d. Edo Emmanuel Ehisuonria, and Rev’d. Peter Chukwuemeke Okoro.
The ordination ceremony, presided over by the Rev’d. Dr. Utih Dike and assisted by other Conference pastors, followed the formal presentation of the ordinands by Rev’d. Dr. Samkennedy Onyenekwe and affirmations from the local churches where the ministers serve. The congregation subsequently participated in a litany of commitment led by the Conference President.
Addressing the newly ordained ministers, the Rev’d. Dr. Dike charged them to cultivate a deep love for Jesus Christ and remain conscious of His presence in their sacred calling. He admonished them to guard their hearts against worldly distractions, stressing that divine love cannot flourish in a heart consumed by earthly attachments.
The 2026 Annual Session ended on a note of thanksgiving and renewed commitment to spiritual growth and service within the Anioma Delta Baptist Conference.
