AGC Orogwe I Marks National Men’s Day With International Men Decorations
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
OWERRI-WEST, IMO STATE — The Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Orogwe I, Umuwuoha Section I, Owerri-West District, celebrated the 2026 National Men’s Day in grand style, with the decoration of its male members as “International Men” forming a major highlight of the celebration.
The annual nationwide celebration, held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, was organised under the theme, “Men and the New Frontiers.” The programme featured spiritual activities, entertainment, fellowship, feeding and other activities aimed at celebrating the men and strengthening their commitment to the work of God.
The celebration began with a morning breakfast for members, described as the first of its kind in the local church and district. The breakfast was declared open after the regular Sunday worship service by the Resident Minister, Rev. Dr. Shine Egbucha, who formally handed over the day’s activities to the leadership of the Men.
Speaking to newsmen, the Men’s President, Mr. Onuoha Stephen Chiemeka, thanked God for the 2026 celebration and commended the men for their teamwork and commitment, which he said contributed to the success of the programme.
He also appreciated Rev. Dr. Shine Egbucha and the church leadership for their cooperation, noting that the men of the local assembly had been inspired to explore the “New Frontiers” in evangelism, charity and the propagation of God’s Kingdom to the unsaved.
“By the grace of God, Assemblies of God is celebrating Men’s Day nationwide. We are celebrating love, unity, the love of God and propagating the gospel.
“The frontiers are about breaking the barriers, possessing the environment and expanding the frontiers because God is not stagnant. As God told Moses to leave his environment and move further, we men of Orogwe Church are going in that direction.
“God has also been with us throughout the one-week preparation for the celebration.”
Onuoha further noted that while the church was preaching the gospel to the people, the leadership of the local assembly was also encouraging its members to participate actively in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
“We won’t impose any candidates on the members. Our duty is to tell them the importance of the 2027 elections, encourage them to get their PVCs and go out en masse on election day to vote freely for any candidates of their choice.
“Importantly, today is our day, and we are celebrating ‘International Men,’” he said.
The Resident Minister, Rev. Dr. Shine Egbucha, thanked the men for organising the celebration and expressed delight at the level of preparation and participation.
“I am very happy to see this level of programme. We are the ‘International Men.’ The men’s leadership has been cooperating, and we are moving God’s work together in this local church,” he said.
The leader of service, DCN. Johnbosco Chimokwu Obodo, Esq., who is also the Secretary of the local assembly and Vice-President of the Men, thanked God for the celebration and commended members for their cooperation in making the day memorable.
Obodo said the celebration featured the investiture and decoration of the men as “International Men” and encouraged members to contribute to the creation of a liveable society politically and socially.
“Today is our men’s celebration. We declared it our Christmas, and we are celebrating it to international standard, as the men of this local assembly are known as International Men. I call on all our members to celebrate well.
“We just rounded off the morning breakfast, the first of its kind in this local church and district. The men are celebrating God’s love and faithfulness. There will be drama presentations, men’s Bible recitations and other programmes,” he said.
He also called on Christians to participate actively in politics and contribute to nation-building.
“The church, as one of the agents of nation-building, calls on Christians to also participate in politics and not to shy away from it. In the 2027 elections, we are not only praying for credible elections and good governance, but we are also mobilising our members of this church to go out on election day to exercise their franchise because it is their civic right,” Obodo concluded.
Speaking on the spiritual expectations for the celebration, DCN. Jasper Ifeanyichukwu Anayamele, Protocol Officer of the District and the Men, said the “International Men” were prepared spiritually and physically for the occasion.
“The International Men are ready today, spiritually and physically. Today, the presence of God will manifest like no other day. Burdens shall be lifted, miracles will happen, the sick shall be healed and souls shall be saved to the glory of God.
“So, we invite everyone to celebrate the gift of life and God’s kindness with the ‘International Men,’” he said.
One of the pioneer members of the church, Elder Monday Duru Osuigwe, said he had not witnessed such a celebration since joining Assemblies of God Church in 1962 from the Northern Igbo District.
“I haven’t seen this kind of men’s celebration in this local church. I joined this AGC at age 12 from the Northern Igbo District, and I can tell you that this men’s celebration is international. I am happy to be part of the ‘International Men’ of this church and the District,” he said.
Also speaking, Rev. Augustine Emenyionu Israel Anorue, who retired from pastoral service on December 14, 2013, described the 2026 celebration as special.
“I pastored this church for years and bought the church land. I haven’t seen this level of celebration here. So, I am happy to see the manifestation of our prayers and God’s visitation to AGC, Orogwe I, Umuwuoha Section I,” he remarked.
DCN. Nkemji Agbee, who was honoured with the “International Men” award, thanked the men for recognising and honouring him, noting that this year’s celebration was different and special in many ways.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Pst. (Mrs.) Egbucha Jane Ezinne appreciated the men for organising what she described as a unique celebration.
“I am very glad that this happened in this local church. They fed the church today in a unique and, unprecedented way. We are happy that our husbands are now ‘International Men.’ It is a great feat, and we pray that God blesses the men more and keeps the church on fire,” she said.
Other highlights of the celebration included the official decoration and investiture of the men as “International Men,” described as the first of its kind in the district, as well as drama presentations, preaching, Bible recitations and appreciation sessions.
The celebration was attended by members of the Peace Makers Social Club of Nigeria, various church leaders, serving and former political office holders, as well as other guests and members of the community.
National Men’s Day is an annual observance within Assemblies of God Church aimed at celebrating men, strengthening their spiritual commitment and encouraging their active participation in the work of the church and society. The 2026 celebration across the church was held under the theme “Men and the New Frontiers,” focusing attention on expanding the frontiers of evangelism, service, Christian fellowship and positive social engagement.
