Oni dedicates new church, foresees a new Nigeria with great future

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Ondo, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Adeniran Oni, has dedicated an Anglican church located at Laje, an agrarian community, in Ondo state. On Thursday March 9, 2023 marked a remarkable day in the history of the church that has existed since the year 1952. History has it that some christians who were predominantly farmers in the settlement came together,  from various denominations and town so as to worship God in unity. They all made the decision to always gather at the house of one Mr. Opadokun of blessed memory. This house fellowship then translated to the new All Saints church Laje. 

While recalling the memory lane, the Bishop whose joy knew no bound remarked that the church had passed through thick and thin to be able to get to this level. He acknowledged the work of the founding fathers who have laboured in the church. He mentioned the former Archbishops Latunji Lasebikan and Christopher Omotunde including some notable men and women of blessed memory who laboured to get the church to an available stage of development today.

The bishop did not fail to emphasize that the church is lucky to have a new vicar for the very first time after over 70 years of existence. The church has been led by agents and church workers of various categories in the time pass among whom were Late Pa Opadokun, Evang Stephen Akinkunmi (now a priest), Evang Peter Adeyemi, Evang Banji Akinrogbe, Lay reader Opadokun and others. 

In his sermon, Bishop Oni congratulated the church for the giant strides. He specifically appreciated the Rev. Gabriel Akinwumi whose concerted efforts have  yielded what has transpired to the dedication of the day. "I am not surprised to see what I am seeing today. your Reverend and his amiable wife are both graduates who received God's calling into this ministry and specially into a rural evangelism. They have proved to me and to the world that God can do miracles through any means and anywhere", declared the Bishop. He sang a song in Yoruba "Bi mo tile kere, mo l'Olorun nla..."

Speaking further in his soul inspiring sermon, Bishop Oni prophesied greatness into Nigeria. "I see a new Nigeria evolving in a very short while. Never mind the political and economic instability being witnessed now, a new Nigeria will certainly evolve and many who have run out of the country will run back. However, for shame; some may not want to come back but be assured, Nigeria will bounce back that again!", Oni affirmed. 

In the same vein, Bishop Oni openly appreciated the Archdeacon of the Ondo West Archdeaconry whose efforts can never be quantified for the good works he has been doing in the ministry, despite that he is not a full-time priest. "Ojewumi is a man who is a Sub-Dean in his faculty and well involved in many official activities on campus, yet he put his all in the work of the ministry. May God reward him in due season" declared Oni. 

The dignitaries of the diocese officiated at the dedication service among whom were the Dean of the cathedral, Ven. Solomon Adeleye and some other Archdeacons: Ven. Olubunmi Olowosusi, the synod clerical secretary, Ven Lanre Ogunmiluyi, Ven. E. A. Aratunde, and Ven. E. F. Adeniran. Others were, Ven Daniel Akintemi, Ven. M. O. Fesojaye, Ven. S. O. Abajingin and Ven. S. I. Erinfolami. A few other clergymen were in attendance as well. Among whom were Revd. Adisa, Revd. Olaniyi, Revd. Olumide, and Revd. Ofelolorunfunmi. Also, the Diocesan  treasurer, Dr. Kehinde Adenegan was in attendance.

Earlier, before the commencement of the dedication service, the Bishop laid the foundation of a seven-room lock-up shop to be built by the same church. Lauding the church, and especially the vicar, Rev. Gabriel Akinwumi and his amiable wife, the Bishop remarked that the vicar has turned the church to a model to be emulated by other neighbouring churches. He charge other churches in the community and in the archdeaconry, Onisoosi. Basiri, Igbindo, Litaye to take a cue from the All Saints church, Laje.

Remarkably, the pupils of the new school established by the church were enthusiastically present to welcome the Bishop with songs and special rendition as they also made history in that historic service and visit of the Bishop.

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