Adebayo Adenrele
Legal Luminary and former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN has made a generous gesture by paying 14 months’ worth of salary upfront worth several millions of naira for the newly installed Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti South Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev’d Francis Olanrewaju Bankole.
This gesture is a one-time payment for the new Bishop starting from November, 2025 to December, 2026.
Recall that Bishop Bankole was installed as the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Ekiti South Anglican Communion following the inauguration of the diocese by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba.
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, held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, last September.
The Legal Icon presented the cheque while playing host to the Bishop and his Wife, Professor Mercy Bankole, at his residence at Iyaniwura House, Moshood Road GRA, Ikere-Ekiti.Speaking at the event, Olanipekun noted that the activity of the religious institution is not a one-man show but God’s willpower and people’s workforce that requires all hands to be on deck to ensure the gospel is spread across the nation.
He described his gesture as his little way of supporting the Bishop for his endurance and patience, pledging his alloyed support for the Diocese in making sure that the Tabernacle is adequately fortified.
Olanipekun also presented another cheque to the Bishop, which would cater for the salary of his Ministers for some months.
“We want to appreciate our God for what is happening. This is not a one-man show, it’s the mercy of God, it doesn’t belong to me but to God and we must do everything possible to keep it going.
“That’s the way we are going to nurture it, one God, one Church, one Bible, one gospel. We are pledging to you our support 100 percent.
“Going to Church is voluntary, there’s a freedom of association. We are one, let’s take ourselves as one”. He added
In his response, Bishop Bankole expressed his delight at the gesture from the legal icon, describing Olanipekun as a Godsent who has devoted his life not only for the development of Ikere-Ekiti but for the advancement of Nigeria at large.
Bishop Bankole posited that Ikere is a land of history for him having being made a Deacon on 26th July, 1987 at St. Luke’s Church, Ikere-Ekiti, before he was ordained as a Priest on 26th June 1988 at Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti.
The Cleric, during his installation had earlier called on Nigerian Leaders to be accountable for their actions by demonstrating transparency and integrity.
This according to him will help in preventing misuse of the common wealth of the people as well as ensuring that people holding public positions act in the best interest of the people.
On his part, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti and the Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Council, Oba Samuel Adejimi Alagbado promised that the traditional institution in the state will support the new Bishop, while also appreciating Wole Olanipekun for his continued gesture.
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of a parting gift to the outgoing Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti, Right Reverend Dr. Andrew Olusola Ajayi by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for his contributions to humanity and the religious institution.
