Seest Thou A Man Diligent …A Tribute to Primate Henry Ndukuba at 65

Few passages of Scripture capture the life and ministry of the Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, as fittingly as these timeless words from Proverbs. As he marks his 65th birthday on 18 July 2026, with a thanksgiving service coming up at the Cathedral Church of Advent Life Camp Gwarinpa Abuja at 10 am offer a compelling reflection of a man whose journey has been defined by unwavering diligence, steadfast faith and exemplary leadership.

Having worked closely with him over the past five years, I write not from hearsay but from personal experience. I have observed his leadership at close quarters and witnessed a rare combination of spiritual depth, humility and administrative excellence. These qualities have earned him admiration within the Anglican Communion and beyond.

My first significant encounter with Primate Ndukuba came shortly after his predecessor, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, entrusted him with the leadership of the Church of Nigeria and formally handed me over as Chairman of the Board of Management of Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNN TV).

At that moment, I quietly wondered whether the new Primate would permit me the freedom required to nurture the fledgling television ministry. My apprehension soon disappeared.

Not only did he grant me complete professional latitude, but he also consistently encouraged innovation and supported initiatives that enabled ACNN TV to flourish. His confidence in those entrusted with responsibility created an atmosphere where excellence could thrive. Looking back, the years of my two terms supervisory role remain among the most rewarding of my professional life.

That approach reflects his broader philosophy of leadership.

As the spiritual head of more than twenty million Anglican faithful across Nigeria, Primate Ndukuba leads with firmness tempered by compassion. He expects commitment from those who serve alongside him and becomes understandably concerned whenever individuals fail to align with his vision for the ‘Decade of God’s Reign’. Yet his response is never driven by vindictiveness. Rather than discard people, he seeks to correct, mentor and inspire improved performance.

His administration demonstrates that discipline and compassion are not mutually exclusive.

Perhaps nowhere is his passion more evident than in evangelism.