History was made in Ekiti on Thursday as Rt. Rev’d Francis Bankole was enthroned as the Bishop of newly inaugurated Ekiti South Anglican Diocese.
The occasion attended by the Ekiti State governor ,Biodun Oyebanji , Legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, foremost traditional rulers Bishops and Archbishops from various parts of Nigeria.
The epoch-making ceremonies, which held simultaneously, at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter Ikere-Ekiti, attracted clergymen, top government functionaries, captains of industries, traditional rulers and dignitaries across the state.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba inaugurated the new diocese and enthroned the Right Rev’d Francis Bankole as its pioneer bishop.
Ekiti South diocese, comprising Ikere, Uro, Ilawe, Igbara-Odo, Odo-Oja and Ogotun archdeaconries, was part the newly created 15 dioceses in the Church of Nigeria at its last standing committee meeting, which held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, last September.
In his inaugural sermon, titled the ‘hand of God’, Rt. Rev’d Bankole called on Nigeria leaders to be accountable for their actions by demonstrating transparency, integrity saying this will help in preventing misuse of the common wealth of the people as well as ensuring that people holding public positions act in the best interest of the people.
The Bishop asserted that humans are not accidental beings because whatever happens in the lives of the people is not a coincidence but a purposeful act of God, adding that humans need divine guidance to be able to lead according to God’s will and return all thanksgiving and adoration to God.
He used the opportunity to thank God for his faithfulness in ensuring that the diocese came into existence after about 31 years of struggle, stressing that nobody has the capability to block God or hinder his work as he asserted that the creation of the diocese is an act of God and a platform to deliberately expand the kingdom of God through the gospel.
Bishop Bankole also commended Ekiti State Governor; Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the remarkable achievements recorded in all sectors through effective management of the resources accruable to the State
Bishop Bankole, who stated this at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church Cathedral, Ikere-Ekiti on Thursday during his installation as the pioneer Bishop of the diocese of Ekiti South Anglican Communion following the inauguration of the diocese by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, stressed that the managerial acumen of the Governor had helped to lift Ekiti State higher in the committee of all states of the federation.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji hailed the decision of the Anglican Communion to inaugurate the diocese after over 30 years of struggle to achieve it, saying the new diocese will bring evangelism, welfare, mission effectiveness and improved pastoral care closer to the people in the area.
While congratulating the Rt. Rev’d Bankole for being installed as the pioneer Bishop of the diocese, Governor Oyebanji stressed that the inauguration of the diocese was aimed to decentralize administration that will make the church adapt more effectively to the specific social, cultural, and spiritual situations of the area.
“I understand the importance of this program and it will set an encouragement to the church, I was reading the brief history of the journey from 1994 when Baba Olatawura moved that motion in Ikole which is more than 30 years of struggle to have this diocese, so we can only thank God that this is a vision fulfilled.
“And when I listened to the Bishop, I will just admonish you, that thing that you have struggled for, God has given you, you need to guide it jealously. I can say here and attest to the character of the bishop, I have known him for many years he’s a man of honor, he’s a man of integrity, and he’s a man that carries grace. If you look at his history and what has happened to him you know that it can only be God. I congratulate this diocese for having him as your pioneer Bishop.” He stated.
A member of the laity and one of the founding fathers for the creation of the diocese, Chief Wole Olanipekun thanked God for perfecting His will, saying that the vision is to become a model to others in love and compassion that is devoid of strife.
The renowned legal luminary pledged the commitment of the newly inaugurated diocese to expand in evangelism, pastoral care, and called on members to be generous towards the growth of the church.