Kunle Adelabu
-Enthrones Bishop, Lay President
History was made last Sunday, as the Oke – Eletu Circuit of the Methodist Church of Nigeria was inaugurated as the Diocese by the Prelate of the Church, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Baba, JP and the entire Conference.
Following the Act of Proclamation for the inauguration by the Secretary of Conference, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Babatunde Abiodun Taiwo, JP, Fei, IPMAN, Diocese of Oke – Eletu now becomes the Cathedral of Oke – Eletu, Agbowa, Agura and Gberigbe Circuits, including Ladegboye and Elepe Sections.
Hence, the Church will now be known and called the Diocese of Oke – Eletu, Cathedral of Goodnews.
The Church’s emergence among the big players within the Methodist Church was as a result of the resolution passed at the 49th/14th Biennial Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria held at Groove Memorial Wesley Cathedral, Ikot – Ekpene between 4th and 11th, August 2024.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Adekunle Gboyega Adejumo, who was also confirmed by the Electoral College of Conference and posted as the Bishop of the new Diocese by the Prelate was also enthroned during the special inauguration service, while Engr. Olufemi Odekunle, was presented as the Diocesan Lay President. The dedication of other Diocesan officers was also performed.
Prelate of the Church, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Baba, during the inauguration openly presented the Deed of the Inauguration of the Diocese of Oke – Eletu to its first Bishop and Lay President, Rt. Rev. Adejumo and Engr. Odekunle, respectively.
In his sermon at the inauguration, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Adekunle Gboyega Adejumo, who was excited, thanked the entire Church especially the Prelate for giving him something to celebrate in his life.
The young Bishop who described how his family has lived in sorrow with accounts of deaths and disappointments, said that the inauguration of the Diocese and his enthronement as Bishop is the biggest celebration in decades and which he is celebrating with family.
He also emphasized that the entire Oke – Eletu community are happy with the development.
Bishop Adejumo specially mentioned Pa Omotayo who donated the large parcel of land on which the Cathedral Church that confirmed Oke – Eletu Circuit as a Diocese is standing and seek prayers for him to ward off any attacks on him because of the donation.
He also thanked His Royal Majesties, (Oba) Dr. AbdulHakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom and Eletu Adeniyi Omotayo, the Eletu of Oke – Eletu for their roles and support.
The host Council Chairman, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA, while welcoming the Church to her council thanked the Prelate and Conference for considering Oke – Eletu as a Diocese.
She assured them that the new Diocese will expand further, adding that she will continue to support the Church in her private ways.
Former Lay President of Lagos Diocese, Gbolahan Olayomi, who anchored the donation for the completion of the Cathedral Church during the service recalled that the new Diocese is living under its name as ‘Cathedral of Goodnews’.
While stating that the creation of the Diocese is still a mystery, the former lay president also added that the cathedral building which hosted the inaugural service last year was just the foundation.
He commended Bishop Osundina of the Ikorodu Diocese whom he described as more than a man for allowing the Diocese of Oke – Eletu to be created out of his Diocese, an act which he said affected the income and influence of the Ikorodu Diocese.
Mr Olayomi recalled the challenges which the new Diocese faced before coming to fruition.
Several millions were raised for the completion of the Cathedral Church and others also undertook to execute different parts of the construction.
The inauguration of the Diocese was witnessed by Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, His Royal Majesties, (Oba) Dr. AbdulHakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba Ahmed Olakunle Ogunnaike, the Alagura of Agura, Eletu Adeniyi Omotayo, the Eletu of Oke – Eletu, His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, Archbishop of Lagos, The Rt. Rev. Inyang Okon Effiong, JP., Connexional Secretary for Evangelism & Discipleship, traditional chiefs, Council of Knights among others.
