Archbishop Maxwell S.C Anikwenwa was born to the family of Mr. Anikwenwa Okeke and Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, in the year of the Lord – 1940. Maxwell had a rough start through losing his mother at the tender age of four. His father was a herdsman in an Agricultural farm at Nkwelle – Ezunaka, while his mother was a petty trader of fruits and vegetables. Maxwell lived on the farm with his herdsman father.
Such was the humble beginning of a shepherd boy who was to later transform into a quintessential shepherd of God’s flock. The young Maxwell was later to be sent by his father to live with one teacher after another until he gained admission to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha in 1954.
At DMGS, God’s unusual favour and grace moderated Maxwell’s study, overall performance, relationships and mindset. Maxwell found favour before Bishop C.J. Patterson and with his friends Benjamin Ofoma and Ephraim Idem were dubbed Patterson boys! He was appointed Chapel prefect, and his Principal, Mr. S.J.C. Cookey described him thus:
“A quiet and pleasant mannered lad, he was always courteous, hardworking and reliable. He can be relied upon to discharge his duties.”
Maxwell was also a sportsman whose active sports life did not mar his academic studies. An incident that apparently helped to define his career was his encounter in 1975 with the then Archibishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Fisher. While visiting All Saints’ Cathedral Onitsha during the C.M.S. Centenary celebration, the Archbishop accosted Maxwell, asking him about his choice of career. Maxwell gleefully told him that he wanted to be an Agric Assistant, perhaps drawing from his life in the farm. Archbishop Fisher immediately replied firmly, “No, you must be a teacher.” That prophesy was perhaps the anointing for a didactic ministry in the church.
While rounding up his career in DMGS, he passed the examination to the school of Agriculture, Umudike and to St. Mark’s Teachers’ Training College, Nibo/Nise.
The hand of God swayed him from his Agric Assistant love to God’s preparation for a robust and exemplary ministry. He attended TTC, Nibo/Nise, where such eminent personalities as Mr. R.S.N Ekpunobi helped to mold him into a vessel of honor fit for the Masters use. He later attended Trinity College Umuahia, where he was a celebrated scholar and sportsman, earning the title “Nevertheless”, meaning that neither sports nor the burden of Student union leadership prevented him from shining in his academic endeavours, even after becoming the Student Union President.
Maxwell was ordained on 18th December, 1966, when he was made a Deacon at All Saints’ Cathedral, Onitsha, by Archbishop CJ. Patterson, and immediately posted to serve at the same Cathedral. He was priested in 1967, preferred Canon in 1976 and elected and consecrated Bishop in 1987.
On ordination, he served as Bishop’s Chaplain, and during the war, he worked under Major Okeke in the Military Chaplaincy, rising to the rank of Captain.
He was later to attend Furay Bay University, Sierra Leone, where he studied for combined honours in Theology, Philosophy and Sociology. Thereafter he proceeded to Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies in Geneva to study Ecumenism. Upon completion of his course he proceeded to Ripon Hall of Oxford University where he bagged a M.Th. degree in 1974. It was clear by now that M.S.C. as he was fondly called, had the best educational opportunities and took advantage of them through God’s grace, favour and anointing.
Upon graduation from Oxford, the then eagle-eyed new Bishop on the Niger, Bishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe spotted a budding star and church statesman in Maxwell and posted him on a missionary and development project to St. Andrew’s Church Onitsha, Maxwell took the congregation to another realm of glory both in numerical strength, overall spiritual growth, facility development, youth empowerment, missionary engagement in church planting, attraction of international assistance for Urban and Industrial ministry, through the World Council of Churches and embarking on interior outreaches.
There, Maxwell established a reputation for being a wise Master builder and a catalyst for church and corporate development. Throughout his tenure there, he served the Diocese on the Niger as Synod Secretary, becoming a formidable aide to the then Bishop Onyemelukwe.
When the Diocese of Awka was created in 1987, Canon Maxwell was elected and / consecrated as the Bishop and enthroned during the inauguration of the new Diocese on March 9, 1987. He served as Bishop of Awka for 24 years, during which time his giftedness resulted in milestone achievements for the Diocese in areas of Education, Youth Empowerment, Capacity Building, Ecumenical relationships, moral growth and spirituality. As Bishop of Awka, he accomplished the return of former St. Paul’s College Awka and St. Mark’s TTC Nibo/Nise to the Anglican Mission and subsequently established a thriving theological college there.
Established St. Paul’s University College in 1992, which later became Paul University, the only University owned by the Anglican Communion East of the Niger.
Fostered ecumenism and inter-denominational relationship, serving as Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra State Chapter for many years, and also as Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria there. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bible Society of Nigeria, South-East Zone.
Brought about Economic Empowerment for the Diocese through the construction and commissioning of Emmaus House to be an entrepreneurial venture to raise funds for the Diocese’s missionary ventures. He also recovered for the Diocese Land that had been taken away, including the one he named Village of Faith, where Emmaus House is located.
After the retirement of the pre-eminent missionary statesman, the then Archbishop of Province II, The Most Rev. Jonathan Onyemelukwe, Maxwell was elected and proclaimed the Archbishop of Province II with 23 Dioceses under his watch. When Province II was further divided into three Provinces, he became the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, and the Chairman of the Joint Provincial Council East of the Niger. During this period, he:
Ensured the full licensing and certification of Paul University Awka by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Recovered Trinity College Umuahia to the Anglican Communion East of the Niger, following the abandonment of their responsibilities by the partners.
Consolidated the reforms that made the Superannuation Fund to thrive and become a solace to retired and ailing priests, while also serving as a vehicle for investment for the church.
Maxwell was made the Dean of the Church of Nigeria in 2000, an office he held till 2010, becoming the longest serving Dean of the Church of Nigeria.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Blessing (Nnediogo) and three children, Venerable Uchechukwu, Barrister Mrs. Ebelechukwu Dan-Okeke and Mrs Ogochukwu Obiakor as well as many relations and in-laws.
Farewell, Baba Anikwenwa
