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Welcome Message from the Bishop
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WELCOME PAGE FOR THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE
We the Bishop of Diocese of Akoko (Anglican Communion) welcome you to this Official Website.
The Diocese was inaugurated on 28th February, 1983 as number 18 in Church of Nigeria. ‘St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church, Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria’ became the Cathedral. Through the grace of God, since her inception 16 Archdeaconries with over 100 churches came to being through Pragmatic Evangelism. The Diocese of Akoko (Anglican Communion) shall be Bible-based, Spiritual Dynamic, United, Disciplined, Committed to Pragmatic Evangelism, Social Welfare and a Church that epitomises the genuine love of Christ.
We want to imploy you to always browse through the pages of the website with various and interesting information that will definitely inspire you to inquire more. Do not hesitate to contact us to let us know when you had visited the site. Your views and comments are always welcome; you can also like our Facebook page with the name Diocese of Akoko for more post and pictures.
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
The Rt. Revd. J. O. B. Bada
Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese
8th May, 2020
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Advent of Christianity
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Before the advent of Christianity about 120 years ago. Akoko land was in total darkness, according to the order of Jesus Christ to his disciples that they should go and teach all nations and baptize them in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
The people were idol worshippers, they worshipped their ancestors in from of Egungun (masquerade), Imole, Esu and other gods, killing of twins, human sacrifices, torture and cruel ordeal administered to people suspected of being witches or wizard.
The process of eradications of darkness began with the abolition of slave trade which led to the emancipation of thousand of slaves of African origins who settled in Freetown, Serra Leone from where they became Christians through the laudable activities of church missionary society (CMS).
Those who are Nigerians began to their towns and villages. The returnee slaves arrived at Abeokuta where missionaries came to preach to them the people of a particular towns and villages.
It was through these individual efforts of these returnees that almost all the towns and villages in Akoko receive Christ as their Lord and personal saviour. Among such returnees were Peter Awonusi of Oba, Daniel Olaniyi of Ikun, Solomon of Ipesi, Pa Gbongi of Irun, Abraham Asaya of Afin and John Alegbeleye of Ifira, Akinrotiba of Ogbabi, oloroki I of Ogbagi to present an irony tusk to governor G. carter in Lagos.
Christianity was first planted in Akoko in 1893. There were none natives who were also pioneers to the spread of Christianity in some parts of Akoko. Among these were Mr. Thomas, a Sierra Leonean who came to Ikare, David Oluguna who was an evangelist in Akoko for 23 years. David Onakoya an Ijebu man, Lawani also an ijebu man, who first lived at Leka and later in Ogbagi and Ikare Mr. John Adeleke from modakeke-Ile Ife who lived at Supare and Daniel Adegbulu, a trader from Ondo.
The first missionary and indeed the first Williams, who came from Lokoja. It was in 1910 that Akoko came under the influence of the CMS missionaries were Rerds F. Hedger, T. Hardin and Parkenham. It was the arrival of Rev. L.A. Lennon, a Jamaican who came to Akoko in 1920 and brought much impetus to Akoko land. He was sent from St. James’ Parish, Owo supervised by white missionaries as a result of which the pace of evangelizing was blow. Lennon was the first resident missionary of the CMS in Akoko and he stayed is known as Lennon Hill up till today and the house he built and lived in was called the “Great House” is still in use today.
Rev L.A Lennon (later ven) brought many blessings to Akoko which includes education. The first school in Akoko was opened in January 1921 by Rev, L.A Lennon. There after schools were opened all over Akoko land by the Anglican mission. Many leaders in the church and state had their education in mission schools.
Many towns in Akoko today came to their present sites, as a result of the encouragement of Rev. L.A Lennon. The general Hospital in Ikare had its origin the CMS Dispensary and maternity Home was started by Mrs. Margaret Lennon who was a nursing sister by profession. In their resounding efforts the killing of twins, human sacrifices, torture and ordeals soon passed into history.
Within one hundred and twelve years ago, million of souls have been worn for Christ, baptized and confirmed. May denomination had sprang up which many had their roots in the Anglican church which were African church, Methodist church Redeemed church, Cherubim and Seraphim, four square, Roman Catholic , Baptist and a lost of others.
From the missionaries’ efforts into Akoko land, the Anglican Church began to wax stronger and stronger where in 1983 February, the Anglican Diocese of Akoko sprout up. Many the Lord continues to shower his church with divine anointing is move ahead.
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Past Bishops
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http://www.akokoanglicandiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/akeredolu.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ border_radii=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”The First Diocesan Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Jeremaiah Olatusi Akeredolu” _builder_version=”3.15″]The coming of Ven. J. L. Akeredolu (Later Bishop) to Akoko was a blessing, it took Baba Akeredolu five years (1978 – 1983) to prepare Akoko Archdeaconry for a Diocese.
Akeredolu a through breed Anglican worker, who grew through all the ladder by God’s grace such as Sunday School Teacher, Catechist, First Class Catechist, Deacon, Priest, Canon, Archdeacon and Bishop. He was an accomplished administrator, an eloquent and fearless preacher, a powerful writer, who authored very many books. One of the first Akoko sons to be called into the Episcopacy, a lover of music, a disciplinarian, a philanthropist per-excellence, a good listener and a very humble man of God.
Immediately, he was enthroned as the pioneer Bishop of Akoko Diocese, he left no one in doubt with the theme of the first session of the first Synod “Our Christian Calling” that Akoko Diocese was poised for total transformation of Akoko. He laid very solid foundation for what Akoko Diocese is today.
What was achieved in Akoko from inception to December, 1985 were God’s doing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Not many people would believe that, what he did as Bishop were possible. Considering initial problems of pioneering work and working at home. Jesus put this straight in Mark 6:4 “A prophet is without honor only in his home place and among his own people”.
It was observed that Bishop Akeredolu who appeared to have been born ahead of his time. He was a virile, robust, a complete pastor, but gradually becoming old, laid a solid foundation and planned out lofty ideas for the greatness of Akoko.
The Bishop after his consecration as the first bishop was determined to impact positively on the new Diocese by pursuing evangelism vigorously and laying a strong foundation for the administration of the Diocese. Both the Clergy and the Laity were motivated by his Charismatic Leadership, knowledge and experience.
Three new Archdeaconries and Chapelry were created. The Parish Church were enthusiastic about their new status and so gave the Diocesan unalloyed co-operation, supporting him with all the resources available. For instant, a Bishops’ court was built on Lennon Hill in less than one hundred days. It is no gainsaying that Rt. Rev. J. L. Akeredolu did his best to lay a solid foundation for what is today one of the Diocese to be reckon with in the Church of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, his tenure was short, for three years 1983 – 1986.
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”The Second Diocesan Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, The Rt. Revd. J. O. K Olowokure” _builder_version=”3.15″]At the retirement of Bishop J. L. Akeredolu, then a pastor, teacher, and a practicing Christian The Rt. Rev. J.O.K. Olowokure was enthroned on June 29, 1986.
At his arrival as the Diocesan Bishop, he had multi-dimensional programme of activities which includes Evangelism, Church planting, administrative restructuring, expansion of the of the economic base of the Diocese and educational development. This agenda of his were faithfully and vigorously pursued.
Consequently his thirteen years tenure as a Bishop was a watershed in the history of Anglicanism in Akokoland. Many new churches were founded, a new Nursery and Primary School (which has become very big school today and also one of the best in Ikare Akoko and a secondary School were founded.
The Ultra Modern Bishops court and Secretariat office complex located on Ugbe Road.
The foundation of a good number of Church buildings and vicarages were laid and among the churches are Lennon Anglican Church, Okeagbe, Emmanuel Anglican Church, Edo-Ikare, Emmanuel Anglican Church, Akungba, All Saints’ Church, Akungba, St. Matthew’s Church, Arigidi but to mention just a few.
On the Economic sector, substantial endowment funds were raised for the Diocese the collaboration of the Diocesan and notable sons of the Diocese in business. Top of the list are Late DFr. Chief R. F. Giwa and Sir, Chief Dr. J.O. Sanusi. As a proof of huge success recorded, the Diocesan Budget rose from N320,000 in 1986 to over N12,000,000 in 1999.
The tenure of Bishop J.O.K. Olowokure was said to be a golden age. The Clergy were encouraged to further their education, preferment were bestowed on merit, experience and effectiveness not just loyalty while their wives were given the honour they rightly deserved rather than been humiliated. Bishop Olowokure was more of a father than a boss to all.
The Rt. Rev. J.O.K. Olowokure retired on reaching the age of 70 years.
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http://www.akokoanglicandiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/olowokure.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ border_radii=”on|200px|200px|200px|200px”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”The Second Diocesan Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Olubayo O. Obijole” _builder_version=”3.15″][/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”3.15″]At the retirement of Rt. Revd. J.O.K. Olowokure in 1999, there was a short interregnum during which Very Revd. A.O. Akinlalu presided over the affairs of the Diocese as Vicar-General. On November 27, 1999, The Rt. Revd. Dr. O. O. Obijole was enthroned at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Ikare Akoko as the third Bishop of Akoko.
He proposed to people in hosting the Diocesan Synod and Launching of Endowment Fund for the Diocese from year 2000 and the hosting of Synod was hosted by the following:
Sir, Chief Dr. Rufus F. Giwa at St. George’s Ang. Church, Okeagbe in year 2000
Chief Adebayo Adefarati at Holy Trinity Ang. Church, Akungba in year 2001
Sir, Chief Dr. J. O. Sanusi at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ogbagi in year 2002
Chief Titus Aiyewumi & Chief F.B. Adefarati – St. John’s Church, Oka – 2003
Chief Dr. Olaiya Oni at St. Silas Church, Ise Akoko in year 2004
Otunba Solomon Oladunni at Lennon Memorial Church, Okeagbe in year 2005
Sir, Prince C. A. Latunde at St. Thomas’ Ang. Church, Ikare-Akoko in the year 2006.
Just like Bishop Olowokure, the Clergy were encouraged to further their education, preferment were bestowed on merit, experience and effectiveness not just loyalty.
The tenure of Bishop Obijole recorded the building of Women Shopping Complex and buying a plots of land at Akungba for building of Hostels, the building of Science Labouratory at Rufus Giwa College at Iyani/Ibaram Akoko.
He created three more Archdeaconries which are Supare, Ajowa and Ipe making the number of Archdeaconries to 14.
The era of Bishop Obijole brought a problem where the Laity reacted to how they were being directed or ruled by the Bishop and the slogan of leaving the Diocese came caling due to his intellectual arrogance and egocentricity.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria and other respected leaders of the Church intervene to settle the matter before the collapse of Akoko Diocese. The short interregnum brought in The Rt. Revd. Dr. J. A. Oladunjoye to Akoko Diocese which he did wonderfully for two years.
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