Praises, fanfare as Odubogun retires

Many exciting programmes were designed to mark the retirement of Bishop of Ife, Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Oluranti Oluwole Odubogun and the enthronement of a new Bishop, Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Olubunmi Adeyinka Akinlade. The farewell service, presentation of gifts and banquet night, which held at the Cathedral Church of St. Philip, Aiyetoro, Ile-Ife, was presided over by the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Most Revd. Segun Okubadejo.

Other dignitaries at the event were Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Most Revd. Adebayo Akinde, the Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lokoja and Bishop of Lokoja, Most Revd. Emmanuel Egbunu, and Bishop of Egba Diocese, Rt. Revd. Emmanuel Adekunle among others.

The retired Bishop, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, who was the former Secretary to the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion for six years before his election and consecration as the Bishop of Ife nine years ago, was showered with encomiums for his monumental achievements. He was credited with building the new Cathedral Church of St. Philip, Ayetoro, Ile-Ife, a befitting secretariat at Bishop’s Court with a chapel, library, conference centre, as well as ICT facilities. He would be remembered for giving the Bishop’s Court a complete new face.

Speaking at the Banquet Night, Odubogun thanked the Lord for seeing him through the nine years he was the Diocese’s bishop and for all he was able to accomplish together with his wife, Mrs. Folashade Odubogun. He seized the opportunity to appreciate those that contributed to his success during his tenure, including the Chancellor of the Church, Professor Gabriel Adesiyan Olawoyin and a host of others. He also thanked the entire diocese for supporting his ministry and that of Professor Olawoyin, who had served the church for over 11 years. Hon. Justice Olayinka Afolabi replaced him.

In his maiden speech, Akinlade glorified God for making him the new Bishop of Ife, saying, “Baba and Mama have transformed the Diocese. We now have a new Cathedral with offices, and an ultra modern Bishop’s Court. Baba worked far into the interior in the area of evangelism and we have about 90 churches in the villages, where he took me to bid them farewell. Baba worked to the end and his monumental achievements are always here in the Diocese to speak for him. He has left an indelible footprints on the sands of time,” he said.

Quoting from the scriptures, he said: “We put our confidence and trust in the Lord. We have no power of our own, no ability of our own, but on Thee Oh Lord, we put our trust. We are not afraid of the challenges ahead.
“The battle is not ours, but His Who puts us here. We are embarking on a five-year consolidation plan to build on the foundation laid by Baba Odubogun and we are going to stabilise the on-going projects. Workers’ welfare will be our priority and we are going to intensify on the mission field,” he said.