The paramount ruler and Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal
Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Sotobi, has expressed support for the current move to create an Anglican Diocese in Ikorodu.
According to a statement on Friday by the chairman of the Enlightenment Sub-Committee, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, the monarch gave the royal endorsement during a courtesy visit to his palace by the leadership of the Implementation Committee for the proposed diocese.
Onayiga noted that Oba Sotobi said that the diocese was long overdue and promised to do everything within his authority to make it a reality.
“It is indeed a dream whose time has come. I am delighted to hear the good news that Ikorodu, which is the third largest town in the entire South West Zone, is being given a Diocese by Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion,” Kabiyesi Ayangburen declared.
He prayed that God Almighty would create a conducive environment and provide the necessary resources to bring the project to fruition.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Archdeacon of Ikorodu Archdeaconry, Venerable Clement Taiwo Arowolo, said the Church of Nigeria had noted with keen interest and pride how zealous and passionate the royal father has been in the things of God.
“Kabiyesi, that is why we have counted you as one of the front liners and friends of the Church. We therefore have the pleasure to give you a pride of place in our collective task of honouring God with our substance,” Venerable Arowolo stated.
He enjoined the Ayangburen to partake in the joy of being counted among the architects and founding fathers of the new diocese, especially with the upcoming mega launch/fund raising for the project.
The Archdeacon urged the paramount ruler to mobilize indigenes and residents of Ikorodu and its environs to support the proposed diocese financially, materially and morally.
The Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Tunde Gbolade, in his remarks, assured the Kabiyesi that the Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Right Reverend James Olusola Odedeji, has in principle let go the proposed diocese.
According to Gbolade, “what remains now is for us to hit the requisite financial and material targets.”
He said details of the mega launch would be communicated to the palace soon.
Other members of the delegation were the Secretary of the Implementation Committee, Felix Echeta, Chairman, Bishop’s Court Committee, Tunde Osoba and Chairman, Enlightenment Sub-Committee, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga.
