Olufunke Aladejare
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, achieved a historic milestone, on Thursday, with the inauguration of Ekiti South, its 169th diocese and the enthronement of a new bishop.
The epoch-making ceremonies, which held simultaneously, at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter Ikere-Ekiti, attracted clergymen, top government functionaries, captains of industries, traditional rulers and dignitaries across the state.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba inaugurated the new diocese and enthroned the Right Rev’d Francis Bankole as its pioneer bishop.
Ekiti South diocese, comprising Ikere, Uro, Ilawe, Igbara-Odo, Odo-Oja and Ogotun archdeaconries, was part the newly created 15 dioceses in the Church of Nigeria at its last standing committee meeting, which held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, last September.
Delivering his sermon during the inauguration service, Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, Most Rev’d Cyril Odutemu, who took his bible text from Mathew 16:18, admonished the congregation to serve God faithfully and to remember that Christ is the founder and owner of the church.
According to the cleric, “both those who laboured, contributed and served, none of you own the diocese. The diocese is of the Lord. He is the rock upon which this diocese is laid. Each and everyone must build upon it with care because there will be a reward.”
Leading the congregation to heartfelt prayers for the new diocese from an ancient song of the church, commonly known as ‘Veni Creator Spiritus,’ Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria noted that “they cannot bear it by themselves or by their strengths.”
In his sermon, the pioneer bishop recounted how the vision was conceived in 1994, and appreciated the Primate for his magnanimity and consideration, including the immense assistance, encouragement, support, contributions and interventions of the congregation, laity, clergy and a host of others.
The cleric, who took his sermon from Psalms 119:73 pledged to model Christ in words and deed adding that the creation of the diocese serves as an opportunity to expand God’s kingdom, preach the gospel and reach more souls for Christ.
He encouraged the members to be committed to the vision and six-point mission statements of the diocese, which is anchored on preaching and teaching the undiluted truth of God’s word, entrenching discipleship, fostering godly homes, capture and recapture youth for Christ, harnessing spiritual gifts, and demonstrating Christ’s love.
Bishop Bankole seized the opportunity to commend Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for being prudent in the deployment of the state’s resources noting that one of the issues that has bedeviled the country is unaccountability.
His words: “We need brokenness and accountability. In the church of God today, people lack accountability and that is the problems we have in Nigeria today. Everybody in Nigeria believes government money is free money. It is not free money. Wherever you are placed, it is not free. People are covetous and we believe that we can exploit others.
“That is why I commend the governor. He has the chance to tell us there is nothing in this state but he will tell you there is something here. It means that he has taken his eyes away from many things.”
Governor Oyebanji, who was the Special Guest of Honour, described the ceremonies as a fulfilment of a 31-year old vision and admonished the members to guard it jealously.
Oyebanji showered encomium on the newly enthroned bishop, describing him as “a man of honour, integrity and a man that carries Grace. If you look at his history, and what has happened today, you will know that it can only be God. I congratulate this diocese for having him as your pioneer bishop.”
A member of the laity and one of the founding fathers for the creation of the diocese, Chief Wole Olanipekun thanked God for perfecting His will, saying that the vision is to become a model to others in love and compassion that is devoid of strife.
The renowned legal luminary pledged the commitment of the newly inaugurated diocese to expand in evangelism, pastoral care, and called on members to be generous towards the growth of the church.
