The newly enthroned Bishop of Ekiti South Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd. Francis Bankole has commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for the remarkable achievements recorded in all sectors through effective management of the state’s resources.
During his installation as the pioneer Bishop of the diocese on Thursday at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church Cathedral, Ikere-Ekiti, Bankole stressed that the managerial acumen of the governor had helped to lift the state higher in the committee of all states of the federation.
The inauguration of the Ekiti South Anglican Communion was conducted by the Primate of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba.
In his inaugural sermon, Bankole called on Nigerian leaders to be accountable for their actions by demonstrating transparency and integrity, which has said would help in preventing the misuse of the common wealth of the people, and ensuring that those holding public positions act in the best interest of the people.
The Bishop said that humans are not accidental being because whatever happen in the lives of the people is not a coincidence but a purposeful act of God, adding that humans need divine guidance to be able to lead according to God’s will and return all thanksgiving and adoration to God.
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, asserting that the birth of the diocese is an act of God and a platform to deliberately expand His kingdom through the gospel.
At the event, Oyebanji hailed the decision of the Anglican Communion to inaugurate the diocese after over 30 years of struggle to achieve it, saying that the new diocese would bring evangelism, welfare, mission effectiveness and improved pastoral care closer to the people in the area.
While congratulating Bankole for being installed as the pioneer Bishop of the diocese, the governor stressed that the inauguration was aimed to decentralise administration that would make the church adapt more effectively to the specific social, cultural, and spiritual situations of the area.
He recalled: ‘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’.
Also at the event were legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, traditional rulers, Bishops and Archbishops from various parts of the country.
