Borokini installs 11 new Anglican church chiefs in Akure -

The Chairman, Funkymass Oil & Gas, Chief Zacchaeus Abiodun Ogunyemi, Right, at his installation as the Baba Ijo of St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Akure, Ondo State capital, by the Anglican Archbishop of Ondo Province and Akure Diocesan Bishop, Most Revd Simeon Borokini … on Saturday, October 16, 2022

By Banji Ayoola

The Anglican Archbishop of Ondo Province and Akure Diocesan Bishop, Most Revd Simeon Borokini, on Saturday charged the newly installed chiefs of the church at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Akure, Ondo State capital, to use their new positions to advance the work of the church.

Besides, he asked them to see their appointments as of the Lord and therefore dedicate their whole being to the service of the church and particularly its entire congregation.

Borokini, who administered an oath on the new church chiefs, asked them to give themselves anew to the service of the church, while he prayed for them for strength to stand aright at their new duty posts.

In a sermon delivered at the ceremony, Venerable Blessing Aregbesola on behalf of the Bishop said that the Ministry is divided into two, including Ministry of the Ordained and the Ministry of the Laity.

Quoting from 1st Peter 5 verses 1 to 4, he said the duties of servant chiefs in the church are in two categories. First and foremost, the church chiefs, who he called Majekobaje and Alatunse, work with their whole being to ensure peace in the church, and that order does not break down.

According to him, the newly installed church chiefs are now elders, examples and guides who are to devote their life to the service of the Lord and ensure His work prospers. He added that the church chiefs are ‘stopping in the gap.’

Aregbesola said: “Today in the church, we want those who are to stand in the gap with their whole being;” as he counseled the new chiefs to use their new positions to the glory of the Lord.

The cleric further listed four major needs of the new chiefs. They are dedication of their time and resources to the work of the church; wisdom to prosper the church with ethical wisdom including skill and intelligence; focus; and being heavenly conscious.

On wisdom, the cleric told the new chiefs that: “We need you for administrative purposes. As designers, bring ideas. What is your plan for the church for the future? Hold the church with your wisdom.”

Quoting from Exodus chapters 8, verse 3; 31:3; and 35:3, Aregbesola made references to some church servants who he said had willed their property to the church, and were blessed in return.

On focus, he charged them: “You should be very focused. Our own is to ensure order. Unfortunately, there are some in the church today who are not of the church; who do not know or follow Jesus. They are bench warmers, just there.”

As he prayed for the new church chiefs, Aregbesola appealed to the congregation to support and listen to the new appointees as leaders.

In an interview after the installation, a former Secretary to the Federal Government and ex-Minister of Finance, the Olu of Ilu Abo and the Baba Oba of Akure, Chief Olu Falae, advised the new chiefs “to continue to serve the Lord because we are here to serve Him; and as the preacher said, we must be Heaven conscious every minute of the day.”

He said: “We thank the Lord that He appoints His own to go ahead with the work of the Church, those who are to serve Him. We are here for Chief Abiodun Ogunyemi popularly called Funky Mass.

“Our prayer is that the Lord will continue to empower him. He is diligent about the work of the Lord a lot; and so his fellow chiefs appointed today. May the Lord use them for the progress of His Kingdom, and Glory on earth and in Heaven.”

Altogether, the archbishop installed 11 new church chiefs. They are:

Chief Zacchaeus Abiodun Ogunyemi, Chairman, Funkymass Oil & Gas, as Baba Ijo;
Chief Mrs Funmilola Tolulope Akintade, a Director in Ondo State’s Ministry of Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Iya Ijo;
Chief Sunday Olawale Oriade, Drector in Federal Ministry of Education, Balogun Ijo;
Chief James Adeniyi Oyeleye, a contractor, Otun Ijo Okunrin;
Chief Samuel Idowu Ayeni, Majeobaje Ijo Okunrin;
Chief Toba David Adenowuro, a cocoa merchant, Alatunse Ijo Okunrin;
Chief Mrs Temitope Olasumbo Olabode, the church’s Women Guild Treasurer; Alatunse Ijo Obinrin;
Chief Francis Adekunle Akunlewu, a secondary school teacher; Baba Ewe;
Chief Mrs Deborah Oluwadolapo Akinsokeji, former Ondo State Chief Matron, Iya Ewe;
Chief Samuel Abiodun Ologunleko, a transporter, Baba Egbe Ajumogbadura; and
Chief Mrs Funke Veronica Arowosafe, Iyalode Egbe Aya Bisopu.