Ifo Anglican diocese celebrates 10th anniversary

The Diocese of Ifo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ogun State, under the leadership of Right Reverend Nathaniel Ogundipe, last week, celebrated its 10th anniversary with the theme, Moving to the Next Level.

Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Most Reverend Michael Fape, in his goodwill message, commended the diocese for the giant strides achieved over the past 10 years and called on them to work towards doing more.

“When the Diocese of Ifo was inaugurated 10 years ago, it might seem as if the people in the diocese had been given an impossible task. For these 10 years, the Diocese of Ifo has defied all human permutations to become a diocese to be reckoned with. Therefore, as you rejoice on this occasion, there are more grounds to cover and we urge you to be rightly focused to run the race that has been set before you so as to make it into the presence of God on that Glorious Day,” Fape stated.

In his sermon at the thanksgiving service, pioneer bishop of Ifo diocese, Bishop Akin Odejide, commended the diocese for the efforts made so far, just as he saluted the members, diocesan officials and women of the diocese for the unity, peace and development the diocese had experienced. He urged the people to be prayerful and demonstrate love in the effort to move the diocese forward.

The anniversary featured dedication of the vicarage of Christ Anglican Church, Ifo and the installation of the church chieftains; anniversary rally; dedication of St. John’s Anglican Church, Orile-Ifo; football match; dedication of the vicarage of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Igbogun; foundation laying of the diocesan secretariat; Bible quiz; dedication of the diocesan pure water factory; women’s day; novelty match; dedication of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oluke; and thanksgiving service.

There was also an award ceremony in which some persons were honoured for meritorious service. Some of the awardees included former Primate, Most Reverend Jasper Akinola (retd); former Archbishop of Lagos province, Most Reverend Dada Akinde (retd); pioneer bishop of Ifo diocese, Right Reverend Akin Odejide (retd) and his wife; Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria and Bishop of Lagos, Most Revd (Dr) Ephraim Ademowo; former Bishop of Ife Diocese, Right Revd Oluranti Odubogun (retd); and former Archbishop of Owerri Province and bishop of Orlu diocese, Most Reverend Bernel Okoro.

The Olu of Ifo, Oba Samuel Atanda Oladipupo; Olu of Oluke, Oba Obadiah Akinode; Senator Kunle Oyero; Hon. Justice (Chief) I.B. Delano; Senator Segun Bamigbetan; Dr O.O. Kukoyi, among others were given the service and recognition award, while the All Saints’ Anglican Church, TBS, Lagos; Cathedral of The Holy Trinity, Okenla, Ifo were given awards of appreciation.

Also present were Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle of Egba diocese; Bishop B.J. Adeyemi of Badagry diocese; Bishop Yinka Akinlade of Ife Diocese; Bishop Titus Olayinka of Ogbomoso Diocese; Olu of Olorunda Olajide, Oba Olatunbosun Jolaoso; Olu of Ibogun Sowunmi, Oba Timothy Afolabi  Sowunmi, Chief (Mrs) Bunmi Martins, among others.