By Dr. Oluwole Solanle, PhD.
THE Sweet memories of Baba Bishop, the Late Rt. Revd. Dr. Samuel Kọlawọle Ṣolankẹ came alive today, Saturday, October 10th, 2026 as his scion, Dr. Oluwọle Ṣolankẹ, becomes the Ọtun Baba Ijọ of Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Ọffà Circuit, Kwara State.
Still toeing the path of Baba Bishop, a former Bishop of Kwara and Remo Dioceses, taught him and his siblings to tread, Dr. Ṣolankẹ and 16 other committed members of the MCN, Ọffà Circuit were installed chieftains to partner with the church’s authority.
According to the Kwara Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd. Joseph Osifuwa, who presided over the ceremony, the installation was to make members of the church more committed to the work of God.
In his words, “It is a call to responsibility and it is only members of the church that can be so called because leading people is a difficult burden but there’s sufficient grace for the so called.
Bishop Osifuwa, an eloquent preacher, who noted in his sermon that Jesus Christ Himself asked the elect to feed His flock, urged the new chiefs to be careful how they tread the new path.
“Lead the flock of God to Calvary,” he urged them.
The Presbyter and Minister in charge of the Circuit, Very Revd. M.S. Afọlabi congratulated the new chiefs and welcomed visitors, including Sis. Deborah Osifuwa, the Bishop’s wife, to the service.
The brand new Ọtun Baba Ijọ, Chief Dr. Oluwọle Solanke read the first Bible passage for the service, which was taken from the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter 11, verses 11 to 17.
The New Testament passage was taken from the book of Acts, chapter 6 , verses 1 to 8 and the Gospel, from the book of Luke, chapter 6, verses 12 to 19.
After anointing them with oil, the insignia of office presented to the newly installed chiefs included a Holy Bible, a
shawl detailing each chief’s office, a beaded neck chain with a cross and a certificate.
The members of the church installed as Chiefs included Chief J. A. Ogundiran as Baba Ijọ, Chief Mrs. J. A. Ọladipọ as Iya Ijọ, Susan C.A. Adegbitẹ as Ọtun Iya Ijọ, Sir Gbenga Aleminu as Balogun Ijọ, Chief J.O. Dare as Baba Isalẹ Ijọ, Bro. Joshua Enemali as Ọtun Baba Isalẹ Ijọ, Chief J.O. Ilọri as Majẹobajẹ Ijọ and Mrs. Juliana Folami as Majẹobajẹ Obìnrin Ijọ.
Other Chiefs installed included Bro. Kunle Alli as Baba Adura Ijọ, Bro. K.O. Abọaba as Baba Ẹgbẹ Idapọ Ọkùnrin Ijọ, Susan T.D. Bakare as Iya Ẹgbẹ Idapọ Obìnrin Ijọ, Mrs. E. A. Alli as Iya Igbagbọ Ijọ, Susan Yinka Macarthy as Ọtun Iya Ewe Ijọ, Bro. Ṣẹgun Ajibade as Ọtun Majẹobajẹ Ọkùnrin Ijọ, Sis. Tọlani Adeniyi as Ọtun Majẹobajẹ Obìnrin Ijọ and Sir Ayọ Ṣijuwọla as Alatunṣe Ijọ.
The ceremony continued at Dr. Ṣolankẹ’s home where visitors were entertained and a live band and the Choristers of the church rendered beautiful faith lifting songs.
Bishop Ṣolankẹ’s only daughter, Mrs. Taiwo Ọlanrewaju, was on hand to receive her brother’s visitors, even as she reminded them that making Heaven, and taking as many along, is the ultimate goal of Christians.
The event was a very colourful occasion.
