Born on 21 November1950 at Azia, South-eastern Nigeria, Elder Ekwesianya was a Christian and a member ofthe Church of God (7th Day), world headquarters Jerusalem, Israel. He became a member ofthis Jerusalem-based Christian group in 1974 following a dream he had. He was ordained a Deacon in the Church on 30th October,1982, and an Elder on September 1,1987. On April 6, 2001, he was ordained the Nigerian Overseer ofthe Church.
His religious life was characterized by dedication, charity and high moral standards. He invested all his resources in the service of God and the care ofthe poor. His stewardship in the service ofthe Master was unparalleled in the history ofthe Church in Nigeria.
To further waterthe seeds ofthe gospel in the darkening world of sin, Elder Ekwesianya established Elder A.N. Dugger Publishing Company that printed and distributed thousands of Scripture-based tracts, Bible Lessons and other books freely to different congregations both within and outside Nigeria, including Kenya, Ghana, Australia, UK,the Philippines, South Sudan, Matinique Island and Ethiopia. He also established the Jerusalem Advocate magazine, which he also printed and distributed free of charge to these locations.
His zeal and dedication towards the gospel of Christ also came at a cost. He often found himself againstfalse brethren and modern-day “Iscariots” whose view ofthe church and Christian service was to gain materialthings instead ofthe Salvation ofthe Messiah. He also spent so much time and resources,through both online and offline media, on education ofthe youth (both within and outside Nigeria) on scripturaltruths and principles.
