The Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Mbang, has died.
Mbang died in his sleep on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the age of 86 after an impactful earthly ministry for 44 years.
The Conference Secretary of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Taiwo confirmed Mbang’s death in an announcement on Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria,
Mbang, who enrolled at the Trinity College, Umuahia, in 1962, was the longest-serving Head of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, and was until his death, the Emeritus President of the World Methodist Council, Trustee of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.
He was the first Patriarch Champlain and Bishop of Methodist Church, Tinubu, Lagos, and the only person to be both Patriarch and Prelate, NAN reports.
Mbang was also the first black President of the World Methodist Council and was among the founders of Fathers of Faith, who prayed and endorsed Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s successor, Umo Eno, now Akwa Ibom governor-elect.
Buhari Mourns Methodist Church Prelate Emeritus Mbang
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with all Methodists in Nigeria and the Diaspora, on the passing of His Eminence, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Coffie Mbang.
The President in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, also extended heartfelt condolences to the Mbang family in particular, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, and the entire body of Christ in Nigeria and worldwide, noting that the late Mbang “was indeed a spiritual colossus beyond the shores of his fatherland.”
President Buhari recognised that having served as the longest Leader of Methodist Church Nigeria, the first Methodist President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the first Black President of World Methodist Council, among other pioneering positions, Dr. Mbang displayed “exemplary courage, forthrightness, wisdom, intellectualism and selflessness” in his over six decades of service to God and humanity.
The President acknowledged that, “having retired as Prelate in 2006 and until his transition at 86, Dr. Mbang remained an invaluable voice of reason and source of encouragement to many persons within and outside government especially in his home state, Akwa Ibom.”
He enjoined all those who mourn the eminent statesman and church icon to take solace in the knowledge that Dr Mbang lived a life worthy of emulation by all.
President Buhari, therefore, prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed Servant of God.
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