There was large applause by the congregation when the provost of Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, Very Reverend Adebola Ojofeitimi announced the welcome of Bishop Olumokaye.
In attendance at the enthronement were the deputy governor of Ondo State, Chief Agboola Ajayi; Ondo State commissioner for information, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi and those who made the enthronement possible: Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Mr. Wole Okunfulire, Mr. Gbola Akinola, Sir Olu Okeowo, Dayo Egbeyemi, Otunba Solomon Ayodele Oladunni, and others. Also present were Bishop Ephraim Adebola Ademowo and his wife, Mrs. Ranti Ademowo; the Bishop’s mother and his wife, Professor Motunrayo F. Olumokaiye, who is from Ondo city in Ondo State; and the Bishop’s elder brother, Henry Kole Olumokaye who is the Olu of Onisere in Idanre local government.
Present also were Idanre elites, including Justice Sunday Akintola Akintan (CON), former chancellor of Akure Diocese and retired justice of the Supreme Court and his wife; Chief Babu Akinbobola; Barrister Ebun Ayo Olagundoye; Captain Olu Olumogba; Chief Biyi Akinseye; Chief Lanre Akin-Deko; Engineer Leye Kupoluyi; Dr. Kola Ademujimi; Mr. Adeyinka Olumide Fusika (SAN); Engineer Ade Adetimehin; Mrs. Folake Adegunleye; and Mr. Fioye Adegunleye. Also in attendance were Mr. Fred Ogunjuboun; Mr. Smart Ladi Fadayomi; Mr. Tayo Akinseye; Mr. Agnes Omodunke Agunloko; Olatubi; Mrs. Mary Ibinrinola Ayinuola; Mrs. Omokunle Olaniyi; Mrs Victoria Ajibade; Pastor Tunde Ogundiranhun; Professor Adex Emmanuel Adegbeyeni; Prof. Yomi Akinyeye; Mrs. Akinfeleye; Chief Folu Lawrence Olamiti and Venerable Dr. Ayo Agboola, who is in charge of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idanre.
There was large applause by the congregation when the provost of Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos, Very Reverend Adebola Ojofeitimi announced the welcome of Bishop Olumokaye.
Christianity is a tradition in Idanre. At present there are thirty churches in Idanre Archdeaconry of the Anglican Communion. They include St. Paul’s Church, Odode, Idanre; St. Andrew’s Church, Alade, Idanre; Christ’s Church, Idanre; St. John’s Church, Atosin; St. Stephen’s Church, Oke-Anifon; St. James Church, Opa; St. Joseph’s Church, Ofosu; Our Saviour’s Church, Owena; St. Peter’s Church, Aponmulona; St. Peter’s Church, Iwonja; St. Stephen’s Church, Owomofewa; and Holy Trinity Church, Ayede-Irowa. In addition, there is St. David’s Church, Igboepo; St. Luke’s Church, Egbeda-Owena; St. Mark’s Church, Ajegunle-Arun; St. Matthias Church, Abababubu; St. Mathew’s Church, Bamotula; St. Thomas’s Church, Aseigbo; St. Augustine’s Church, Olokuta; Holy Trinity Church, Farm-Settlement; All Saints Church, Owobamibo; St. David’s Owa Aroloye Memorial Church, Idanre; and St. Michael’s Church, Ala-Elefosan.
It is to be hoped that Bishop Olumokaye will take Lagos Diocese to a greater height.
When Reverend Charles Phillips brought Christianity to Idanre in 1895, his job was made easy by a few Idanre indigenes who had gone out to Siloko to work with some timber contractors, through who they learnt how to read and write. Before returning home, they were converted into Christianity. These were Obadiah Betiku and H. John Akinbola Paale. On arrival home, the two men commenced teaching the people the art of reading and writing; these folks and their class subsequently formed the nucleus of the early Christian converts in Idanre.
The first church building in Idanre was put up at Igbore, Oke Idanre around June 1908, with the blessing of the the Owa of Idanre, Oba Towurojoye Arubieefin 1. It was a small church measuring 22 feet by 15 feet. In 1910, the Igbore Oke-Idanre Anglican Church was affiliated with the Anglican Church, Ondo by the Reverend E. A. Kayode. Those baptised there included Papa John Akinbola Paale, Joseph Bajulaiye Lona, Peter Ogundiranhun, Madam E. Lamoju, J. Adeuti, Madam Alice Olasetere (my grandmother, who later became the Oloro of Idanre), Madam Lydia Todun, Madam Marian Doyin, Lydia Todun, Sarah Oluwadenu, Phebian Ogundirahun, Phebian Kemisade, Comfort Daun, Abigael Bolaki, Alice Oboyiwola, Esther Labu, Ruth Omobamiwaye, Alice Ibosunpola, Marian Maja and others. Chief Akinjo brought the Catholic mission to Idanre in 1937, while Chief Akindolire brought Baptist mission to the town in 1957.
The following have served as vicars at St. Paul’s Church, Idanre: Mr. E.D. Oduwusi (later a reverend), Mr. Samuel Aderin, Mr. D. O. Olamiti, Reverend M. O. Obadofin (later an archdeacon), Rev. D. O. Aroso (later archdeacon), Rev. J. Jaiyeoba (later archdeacon), Rev. Canon M.A. Olupona (later archdeacon), and Rev. E. A. Orimoloye (later canon). Also, Rev. T.A. Oni (later archdeacon), Rev. J. O. Babalola (1st curate), Rev. I. O. Oluwafemi (curate), Venerable M.D. Dare, Rev. A. A. Agboola (curate), Ven. J. O. A. Ajayi, Ven. S.A. Borisanmi, Rev. E.O. Ayodele (deacon) (curate) and Revd. J.O. Adeleke (curate).
It is to be hoped that Bishop Olumokaye will take Lagos Diocese to a greater height.
Eric Teniola, a former director in the Presidency, Writes from Lagos.
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