Ondo Anglican Diocese gets new Bishop

The Diocese of Ondo Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Saint Stephen Cathedral, Oke-Aluko,  has performed the consecration of a new Bishop, Very Revd. Stephen Oni.

Oni, who was the Provost of the church was appointed by the Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, following the retirement of Revd. Gabriel Lasebikan, who recently clocked seventy years.

Speaking while performing the consecration,  alongside with three other Bishops who include, Revd. Canon Victor Amgbare, the Bishop of the Diocese of Izon, Bayelsa State, Venerable Oluwadare Adagbada, who will oversee the affairs of the Diocese of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State and Venerable Oluwadare Ojo from the diocese of Ijumu, Kogi State, the Archbishop, Metropolitans and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, advised the new Bishops to see the new position bestowed on them as a challenge to contribute to the growth of the Church of God and the society as a whole.

The Primate, while mentioning four qualities a good leader must possess to include, character, integrity, purity and sincerity, cited several biblical passages to drive home his points, and stressed the need for them to devote themselves to prayers and reading of the scriptures, saying these will not only deepen their faith, but also increase their love for God.

Speaking on the state of the nation, especially the current security challenges facing it and in particular, the activities of the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram sect which he noted have led to several deaths in the last few months, the religious leader lamented over the trend.

He called on the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as various Houses of Assembly across the country to unite in order to tackle the menace.

The Primate stressed the need for effective collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government in order to tackle what he described as the shaky security situation currently  facing the country.

According to him: “I believe this is a crisis period in Nigeria, the way forward is for those at the helms of affairs of government to be more proactive than ever before. The president should not be left alone to solve the problems, because he alone cannot attend to it. “The people at the state houses of Assembly should take it seriously. The first thing they should think about is the issue of security in Nigeria. They should realize that it is only if Nigeria exists that politics will thrive. If there is no Nigeria, there will be no politics”, he stated.

The event held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Matthew, Benin city, Edo State was attended by one hundred and seventy one Anglican Bishops across the nation, also present is Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, the Oludoko of Udoko, Oba Stephen Akinmusere as well as members of the church from Ondo and other parts of the country among others.

The event also featured presentation of new Dean and two Archbishops of the church to the congregation.