Kunle Adelabu
As part of his visitation to Lagos Archdiocese, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Oliver Ali Aba, Jpil, also visited the Diocese of Oke -Eletu, in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), a new diocese that was inaugurated out of the Diocese of Ikorodu early this year.
A key feature of his visit was the dedication of the marble pulpit at the Patriarch Bolaji Cathedral on Wednesday. The pulpit was donated by Sir and Dame David Sunmoni to the cathedral.
Dr Aba, had earlier in the week hosted at the Diocese of Ikorodu.
While dedicating the pulpit, the head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria commended the Sunmoni Family, adding that the pulpit was very significant to the Church.
“This is an essential part of this cathedral and this family has chosen to give it to the Lord and I pray that the words that will be coming from this pulpit will be heard by the people and will make lasting impacts on their lives.”
The Prelate who is the first to mount the pulpit to deliver a sermon after its dedication, acknowledged the growth and expansion of Oke -Eletu Diocese and thanked the entire congregation and some individual members in particular for the progress made within the short time.
“Rain of blessings has showered on the Diocese of Oke -Eletu since its inauguration and by the time that we will be returning here, its transformation will be unimaginable. Things are taking shape within the Church in the past nine months that we came to dedicate the Church.”
The Prelate commended Eletu Adeniyi Ajayi, the Eletu of Oke -Eletu, Chief Albert Omotayo, the Baba Ijo of the Church, Mr Olayomi Gbolahan, Chief Sunday Onamade, Sir Ayodele Elesho, Chief Babadele Tokoya, Peter Babaranti and a host of others for their contributions to the development of the Diocese.
He said that the essence of a new diocese is to propagate the words of God and expand the Church.
“The essence of creating a new Diocese is for evangelism and this comes with challenges and development. If the Diocese of Oke -Eletu had not been created some months ago, these developments that we are witnessing wouldn’t have happened.”
Sir David Sunmoni, who is the Chairman Planning Committee of the visit of the Prelate to Ikorodu, said that the pulpit is a fulfilment of the pledge he made in his mind to donate to the Church when the idea of the creation of the Diocese of Oke -Eletu was initiated.
He expressed his gladness that the pulpit has been dedicated by His Eminence, Dr Aba.
There were special performances by the Children and Women’s Fellowship departments of the Diocese.
Also in attendance were the Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, Bishop of Ikorodu Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Osundina, Bishop of Oke -Eletu Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Adekunle Gboyega Adejumo, Eletu Adeniyi Ajayi, Eletu of Oke -Eletu, Chief Albert Omotayo, the Baba Ijo, Methodist Nigeria, Oke -Eletu Cathedral and others.
