A new Anglican Bishop for Ekiti West Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Rufus Ajileye Adepoju, was ordained yesterday with a soul-lifting message for Nigerians.
Adepoju, who spoke during his ordainment at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Ijero-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, assured Nigerians that there is hope for the nation, despite the various challenges facing it.
The new bishop was installed by the Archbishop of Ondo Province, who also doubles as the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. George Latunji Lasebikan.
Adepoju said the nation will surmount its challenges, if Nigerians put their trust in God.
Delivering a sermon, Adepoju urged Nigerian leaders to be more sincere in their stewardship and “stop speaking too much grammar”. In the sermon, titled: God of Our Fathers, taken from Psalm 48:14, Adepoju said his watchword in his episcopal assignment is: “With God, All Things Are Possible”.
The cleric noted that the social, economic and political problems afflicting Nigeria are not beyond divine solution.
He said: “In this country, we need sincerity in leadership because we speak too much grammar in Nigeria. We have many programmes and policies that are capable of changing this country, but we have failed.
“Let all of us be sincere in tackling our problems in Nigeria and there will be a way out. If all Nigerians can trust God with our present predicament and problems, there will be solutions.
“No problem is greater than God, our Creator. We should hang our problems on Him and fear Him because the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. That is the message of God to all Nigerians: they should fear not because it shall be well.”
Dignitaries at the service included former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, who was represented by Idowu Adeniyi; former Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by former Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; bishops from across the country, led by Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Ephraim Ademowo and Chief Judge (CJ) of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.
The traditional rulers included the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole; the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Fasiku and the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye.