The Venerable Samuel Oluwagbade has been collated and inducted as the new Archdeacon of Asi Archdeaconry, Diocese of Ibadan, Anglican communion.
The Venerable Oluwagbade was also inducted as the Vicar, Immanuel Anglican church, Asi, Ibadan.
The ceremonial occasion featured declaration and oath taking, as well as the official handling of the church keys to the newly inducted Vicar.
In a sermon, the Bishop, Ibadan Diocese, Anglican church, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa described The Venerable Oluwagbade as a cleric of impeccable manners.
While commending him for his relentless service in the Diocese over the years, The Most Reverend Akinfenwa reminded the newly inducted Vicar that his new office required additional responsibilities in the Kingdom works.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the newly inducted Archdeacon, Asi Archdeaconry and Vicar, Immanuel Anglican church, The Venerable Samuel Oluwagbade believed that God, who had been faithful to him, would make him successful in his new offices.
The Venerable Oluwagbade called for support from members of the Archdeaconry to bring about spiritual and physical progress.
The incoming administration of the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been urged to prioritize governance over politics.
Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa made the appeal while reading the Bishop’s charge during the first session of the 24th synod of the diocese at the Cathedral of Saint James the Great, Oke Bola, Ibadan.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa said for the desired change and development Nigerians crave for to become reality, the President-Elect, as well as, other elected political leaders must shun politicking and focus more on governance.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa appealed to Asiwaju Tinubu to ensure that his cabinet was populated with technocrats rather than career politicians.
“For many years, we have enumerated and reiterated myriad areas of need in our Nation, and made countless suggestions to government. This year, we shall be content to appeal to the incoming administration to give governance priority over politics. Our Nation has suffered a huge setback, and we need to exert ourselves extraordinarily if we are to catch up.”
The Bishop urged Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to correct the notion that most Governors do not perform during their second term in office.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa, while congratulating Governor Makinde for his reelection, called on the Governor to change the narrative through the delivery of landmark projects across the state.
“We congratulate the Governor of Oyo state on his re-election for a second term in office. We appreciate and commend him for fulfilling his promises to the electorate (especially teachers and civil servants) over the last four years. We also take good note of the various infrastructural projects that the government has managed to complete within just four years.”
“We appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to please prove wrong the analysts who argue that second-term Governors are usually a tale of woes. Your Excellency, please let your own second term be a marked improvement over the first term. Our prayers are with you for divine wisdom and good health to steer the ship of our dear Oyo State to a place of greatness in the comity of states.”
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa equally charged Christians not to relent in their service to God and humanity, noting that no good work would go unrewarded.
The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese also harped on the need for people to always create time to rest from their everyday activities in order not to wear out.
He appreciated members of the diocese for their selfless services over the years, which he said had brought tremendous growth to the diocese.
The highlight of the programme was the launching of the Bishop’s Charge.
Earlier on Thursday at the Eucharistic opening service of the synod, held at the Cathedral of Saint James the Great, Oke Bola, The Venerable Timothy Jaiyeoba of Immanuel Anglican Church, Ashi, Ibadan admonished Christians not to despise the days of small beginnings but to put their trust in God for a better future.
The Venerable Jaiyeoba said though things might not be going at the desired pace at the onset, Christians should always keep faith in God and imbibe the virtue of patience.
The Venerable Jaiyeoba also admonished the congregants not to despise the poor, vulnerable or less privileged around them.
He harped on the need for Christians to always wait and rely on God, who alone was capable of turning things around for the better.
The theme of this year’s synod is “In the beginning”.
Public office holders should strive for legacies worthy of emulation.
Pastor-in-Charge, Molete Baptist Church, Molete, Ibadan, Dr Edward Alabi gave the admonition during the Night of Tributes, hymns, Candle Lighting and Pictures Panorama in memory of late Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala.
Dr Alabi described the deceased former governor of Oyo State as a man who made his mark while in office.
The cleric said though like all mortals, late Alao-Akala had departed the earth, he would remain evergreen in the minds of residents of Oyo State.
In tributes, Anglican Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa and other dignitaries described late Alao-Akala as a man of the people, who impacted lives.
Highlights of the event were hymns, candle lighting, prayers for the deceased’s family and special song renditions from various choirs as well as popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.
The Bishop of Anglican Communion, Ibadan Diocese, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa has called on the federal government to check youth restiveness in the country through the provision of massive job opportunities.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa said this while speaking with Radio Nigeria Correspondent in Ibadan.
According to the cleric, the high rate of kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery could be checked if the youths were adequately empowered.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa also appealed to the nation’s political leaders to serve the people with the fear of God and also put an end to the various security challenges confronting the country
He equally stressed the need for Nigerians to live with one another peacefully.
As Christians in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s Christmas, clerics in Ibadan have called on government at all levels to address economic and security crises affecting the development of the country.
They made the call in their separate sermons during church services to mark the day.
Eminent Nigerians have started paying condolence visits to the Ibadan residence of the first daughter of the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Reverend Omotola Oyediran, who died yesterday.
Some of the early callers were the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka, Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun.
Also, Bishop of Ibadan, Anglican Diocese, The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa who also paid a visit to the family of the deceased described the late Reverend Oyediran as very humble and kindhearted.
Other personalities equally described the late Reverend Oyediran as a devoted Christian who had left behind legacies worthy of emulation.
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Reverend Omotola Oyediran died on the 16th of this month and she is survived by husband, Professor Bankole Oyediran, children and grandchildren.
Radio Nigeria reports that the residence of the deceased was a beehive of activities as people were thronging the premises to sympathise with the family.
The death of Emeritus Professor Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe has again robbed Nigeria of one of her finest brains who epitomized hard work, humanness and patriotism.
This was the submission of the Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, the Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa at the funeral service of the seasoned professor of Medicine and highly respected administrator, Professor Akinkugbe at Saint Stephens Cathedral, Ondo.
The Most Reverend Akinfenwa also lamented the decay of values and institutions which made the likes of Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, stressing that until Nigerians go back to these lofty values that once defined us as a people, Nigeria would continue on a downward drive.
While describing the deceased as a God-fearing man with global influence, the Most Reverend Akinfenwa challenged political and public leaders to shun corruption but instead discharge their duties with the fear of God and bear in mind that they would someday give account of their stewardship.
In a eulogy, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo who was a friend of the late Professor for about five decades said ‘Ladipo’ as he fondly called him had a natural way of charming anyone who came his way with his intelligence, intellect, humility, patience, pleasantness and wisdom.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said the late Emeritus Professor Akinkugbe cherished his Ondo roots and also noted that he was personally indebted to him for his invaluable contributions to his administration while serving the nation.
Dignitaries at the funeral service included Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr Temitayo Oluwatuyi who represented Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former Governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Medical experts, Clergy men and other notable personalities cutting across all fields of human endeavor.
