Dare Babalola
The Rt. Rev’d Francis Bankole, Bishop of the Ekiti South Anglican Diocese, has commended Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for remarkable achievements across all sectors, attributing the progress to the governor’s effective management of state resources.
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.
His installation followed the inauguration of the diocese by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba.
The Bishop emphasised that Governor Oyebanji’s exceptional managerial skills have elevated Ekiti State’s standing among Nigeria’s states.
Rt. Rev’d Bankole, in his ‘Hand of God’ inaugural sermon, called on Nigerian leaders to demonstrate transparency and integrity, emphasizing that such accountability will prevent the squandering of public wealth and keep officeholders focused on serving the people.
According to the Bishop, humans are not products of accident; every occurrence in their lives is a meaningful act of God. Thus, divine guidance is crucial for leaders to govern according to God’s purpose and offer Him praise.
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.
Governor Oyebanji, speaking at the event, lauded the Anglican Communion’s decision to establish the diocese after over 30 years of perseverance, noting it will enhance evangelism, welfare, mission outreach, and pastoral care for local communities.
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.
Also at the event were the legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, traditional rulers and Bishops and Archbishops from various parts of Nigeria.
