Encomiums for Professor Adebayo Akinde, computer guru, Bishop, Archbishop at 70

He has done abundantly more than is expected

The just concluded valedictory first Session of the 4th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland with the theme: “Thy Hand O God, Has Guided” was celebrated in an unusual way because of its uniqueness. It was unprecedented because it served the dual purpose of acknowledging the works and person of the icon, Most Revd. Adebayo Akinde, whose 37 years in the Lord’s vineyard was described as characterised by uncommon humility. And the fact that he spent the last 10 years at the diocese, which he pioneered and nurtured to become one of the greatest in Nigeria. It was, therefore, not a surprise that many eminent Nigerians lined up to shower tributes on the man.

The Most Revd. Jasper Akinola, the immediate past Primate of the Church, started the praise affair, as he gave a glimpse into Akinde’s spiritual life saying, “A professor of computer, who could have been one of the richest people in Nigeria, shunned a multi-million naira contract to take the job of a provost, on a salary of N10, 000. This shows the extent to which this great man of God loves the Lord.

“He is so completely devoted to his work. Even at the point of death, he was not thinking of himself, but of the work. The work and the ministry mean much to him. If we are to award marks, I will give him 12 or 15 upon 10. He has done abundantly more than expected.”

Explaining that he has known for long that Prof. Akinde’s humility would inevitably catapult him to greatness, Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Revd. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo said the celebrant’s human relation is impeccable and an epitome of love.

It was obvious that Prof. Akinde is a man of many parts, who has succeeded in touching people’s lives in different ways. The Most Revd. Friday Imekhai, who is the Archbishop of Bendel Province, said this much, when he described Akinde as having no tribal leaning and is passionate about evangelism.

“He is detached and welcomes all to his palace. He also delights in ministering to the poor. He emulates Jesus our Saviour, Who deliberately mingled with the poor. Not that Jesus opted for poverty, but He was concerned about the poor and Archbishop Akinde has followed suit. He gives and alleviates the sufferings of the common man. The unprecedented number of Bishops from every part of the country that have crowded around him since the beginning of this Synod is enough testimony that he has an accommodating and large heart.”

On his part, The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, The Most Revd. Alfred Adewale Martins, who made his first appearance at the Synod since he assumed office about four years ago, said all the qualities attributed to Akinde are recognisable in the Clergy.

“For years, we were in Abeokuta and I could recognise very clearly the qualities, which Most Rev. Ademowo mentioned,” he said.

Appreciating all Prof. Akinde did at the Diocese, Bishop of Lagos/Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Revd. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo said: “We are celebrating the Archbishop because he is a remarkable, hardworking, humble and quintessential personality, as well as an epitome of love. We have all gathered here today to grace this occasion. We are returning this honour to God for the way He, the Almighty God has been using him. His life can best be described as one of monumental achievement.

“He is not only the bishop of one of the greatest Dioceses in Nigeria today, which he pioneered, but also the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos. He is number one bishop in the oldest Diocese in the nation.”

Thanking the Lord for the celebrant’s life, Primate of The African Church, The Most Revd. Emmanuel Udofia said it is Akinde’s lifestyle that informed his attending the event.

Said he: “The number of years of meritorious service of Archbishop Akinde has proved that God’s Hand has guided this Church and will continue to lift the Church higher, while Archbishop Akinde would continue to enjoy the Lord’s favour and flourish after retirement in Jesus name. We can see the life of prayer in the years of Archbishop Akinde’s episcopacy.”

Bishop of Ajayi Crowther, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Olugbenga Olukemi Oduntan said: “He has contributed so much to our lives and that of the Church. As he is big in stature, so is he in value. Definitely, we are going to miss him. In all ramifications, he is an encourager, a builder and a motivator. As a professor, he brought everything God endowed him with into the ministry. We pray that God will give us a new Akinde in the Church of Nigeria.”

According to Bishop Paul Zamani, Anglican Church of Koi in Kaduna State, “Baba is one of the living examples we have. He is a great man that all of us honour in various ways. He is a man that has an open heart towards everybody. He is a man of God. He is a loving and caring father. We are going to miss him a lot. Our prayer is that as we believe God, He would raise up a man like him for this Diocese.”

On his part, Bishop of Anglican Diocese, Sokoto, Rt. Rev. Augustine Akinyele Omole, said, “Since I knew him, Archbishop Akinde has been a father to many of us in the episcopacy and in the Church of Nigeria. What has actually drawn me close to him is his fatherly disposition. I have enjoyed being a colleague in the ministry with him and I also want to thank God for his accommodation of all categories of human beings. I thank God for his willingness and ability to bring all together. The Church would miss him for his simplicity and love for all. We are only praying and trusting God to choose a successor that can wear the big shoe Baba is leaving.”

To Bishop of Lagos Central Diocese and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lagos, the First African Church Mission, Most Revd. Paul Adekunle Onanuga, “Everything is to God’s glory for all his humble and monumental achievements both as a Bishop and Archbishop in the office God has placed him. He has done the best he could and the Lord has mightily used him. We wish him the very best in his retirement period and pray that the Church of God will continue to soar higher. It has been a wonderful period. We pray that God grants him longevity of life.”

Explaining that Prof. Akinde is a bosom friend, the immediate past Bishop of Ife, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, said: “His life is akin to that of a perfect man. He is a man of deep prayer, who walks closely with God. Whoever is going to succeed him would have to continue from where he stopped. What he has done physically and spiritually is clear to everyone. This diocese has come to stand on a sure footing. He is going to be missed and the parting is not going to be an easy one. Our prayer is that what he has established would not diminish but flourish.”

Said Dean, St. Francis of Assisi, Wusasa, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Bishop Praises Omole, “Anybody that knows Baba Akinde would know that God has ruggedly built him for His work. For me, his life is worthy of emulation. I have heard testimonies of him as a Senior Priest, who would go and engage in sanitation exercise in the Church very early in the morning. That is another quality you do not see often.

“I was once a Dean of the Cathedral in Kaduna, where he grew up and I was surprised, when I ran into someone, who talked about how Akinde started serving the Lord from youth in the North. Very clearly, this is a man that has given so much of his life to God and humanity. Of course, I cannot completely talk about him without talking of Mama Mainland. She is an epitome of humility. She would respectfully greet those of us young enough to be her offspring, calling us ‘baba’ and kneeling down. Both of them are wonderful gifts to God’s Church and we will miss them.”

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who also graced the occasion, praised Akinde’s dedication and sincerity of purpose. Said he: “Akinde will be clocking 70 in the next three months and we rejoice with him, having spent 10 successful years here. A professor of computer, you cannot name five computer gurus in the entire country, without mentioning his name. As he retires, I pray that God will continue to use him for His greater glory. May God continue to bless him.

“At Abeokuta, he was the first person I informed that I wanted to become the next Alake. He replied that we should go to the Church, where I knelt down and he prayed for me. His Grace Bishop Akinde went to speak with one of the 23 kingmakers that did not support me. We pray that the best is yet to come for him. After this, God would open new doors for him. ”

Congratulating the celebrant, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said: “There is no way we can congratulate Professor Akinde without congratulating mama, Dr. Bassey Akinde. While we appreciate the fact that it is God that has made Prof. Akinde what he is today, He has equally used her immensely to support our revered Prof. Akinde morally and in every other area for which we are celebrating him today, especially in his ministry. Archbishop Akinde, our prayer is that God will continue to be with you and that you will live long so that when you have attained the age of 100, and people see you, they will say ‘that is Professor Akinde going.’ Amen.”