Diocese Of Lagos: Mother Diocese Of All Nigeria Anglican Communion Turns 90
The Diocese of Lagos, the oldest Diocese in the Church of Nigeria, inaugurated on December 10, 1919, will be 90 years old on December 10, 2009. At a period in the history of the Diocese, it was controlling the whole of the North and the West before many dioceses such as Ibadan, Bendel area and the North were carved out from it. The Diocese had produced seven Bishops and the seventh is Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Diocese, MOST REVD ADEBOLA ADEMOWO. In this interview with CHRIS IREKAMBA, Ademowo narrated how it all started, progress made, activities lined up for the event, and why the celebration is going to be low-keyed, among other important issues.
Significance of the ninetieth anniversary
WE want to thank God for the Diocese of Lagos, the Mother Diocese in the Church of Nigeria. I must say that the good Lord has been on our side. He has been piloting the affairs of the Diocese. Right now, the Diocese of Lagos, without being immodest, has grown by leaps and bounds. It has grown with amazing rapidity.
The Diocese was inaugurated on December 10, 1919 while Christianity was planted in this country in 1842. There was a time this Diocese was controlling the whole of North and the West, but today there are many dioceses in the supra west and in the Bendel area and also in the Northern part of this country.
In actual fact, the Diocese of Ibadan was carved out from the Diocese of Lagos in 1952 and the whole of the North at that time. The Diocese had witnessed seven bishops, of which I am the seventh Bishop. The pioneering Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos was Melville Jones (1919-1940). Also Gordon Vining, who became the archbishop of West Africa, took over from him from 1940 to 1955. He was followed by Bishop Howells (1955-1974). The fourth was Bishop Kale, who was Principal of CMS Grammar School for years (1974-1985). And Bishop Segun took over from Bishop Kale. And the next, who later became the Primate of All Nigeria, was Archbishop Adetiloye.
He retired in 1999 and I took over from Primate Adetiloye in the year 2000. Then I was Archbishop for Province 1. And when we had 10 Provinces; I became the Archbishop for the Province of Lagos. There is a Bishop charge where I highlighted the summary of the achievements of my predecessors.
In the area of youth work, we are making progress. In the area of evangelism, fellowship and service, same thing. The Diocese of Lagos is based on 'SHE,' the acronym, which stands for: Spirituality, Health and Education. Our emphasis is on spirituality, which is major, same thing on health, we have the medical commission and clinics in many of our churches, and also education. We believe that when you are educated, it makes all the difference. Evangelism, fellowship and service, these are vital.
At Faith Plaza, the women are moving mountains. There is this building they have put in place and it has 96 rooms. It can accommodate about 160 people. The building is such a gigantic one. Right now, we are trying to put up a chapel and to realise most of our dreams we have formed partnership with the women. A selected number of churches in the Diocese contributed towards that and the women would pay heavily towards the completion of the chapel. That means, if we have a very big conference like the Standing Committee; we will be able to make use of the place.
We have this multipurpose Conference Centre in Igboye in Epe. We have auditorium, dormitories, and chalets in the place. The idea is to take people out of Lagos into a serene environment where they can concentrate fully and do their spiritual works with ease. We use Faith Plaza for retreat and conference and it's not a profit-making centre. The women are just out to make a contribution and when you consider how much they are charging for rooms in Hope building, it's just a token. It's not even enough to maintain the place. We also have other facilities, for instance, we have a big auditorium in Faith Plaza that can take about 2,000 people or more. We also have another building there; and when completed it's going to have a bookshop, secretariat and so on. And the Diocese is trying to give a helping hand so that some members working there could be paid. What they spend on diesel is a fortune; so, we appreciate the efforts of the clergy, the clergy's wives and the Archbishop's wife and the laity. Because we work together as a team that is why the results we are getting is very encouraging.
The clergymen are trained regularly. The clergy's wives and the archbishop's wife have been a role model and a big influence. They have their programmes from January to December. The clergy's wives and the women generally in the Diocese have this professional women's fellowship, which is vital because there are very busy women that do not have the time and these programmes are designed for them.
The Archbishop's wife is the co-ordinator and Mrs. Okusanmi helps the archbishop's wife to facilitate the smooth running of that programme. We have been able to put up a 288-bed space building in Ajayi Crowther University and that is a major breakthrough. The building is huge and the facilities are enormous. The cathedral continues to be the centre of liturgical operations where other churches can come and learn. The priests come there to learn more.
Recently, a four-manual pipe organ of 64-stops from Germany was installed. The organ is huge. You have trumpets at the western entrance and the pipes are many and I'm sure by the time it's commissioned it's going to be something else. In fact, there is an old one; that has given way to the new one. And when we start to use it, you'll know we have a choir in this country that ranks highest. I can't see any choir in this country that can rank shoulder-high with the cathedral choir because when you listen to them it's like you are listening to the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The way they render the hymns and the song Eucharist is very inspiring and any time I go to that place, in fact, it's fantastic. There was a day, I told the provost that I was going to the office to do some paper work; and when the service started it was something else; I couldn't move an inch. The organist and those who assisted her are well-trained. That is not to say that the choristers in the churches are not pulling their weight. When you go to churches it is fantastic.
There are some Yoruba speaking churches that have song Eucharist in Yoruba. I was at St. Andrew's Okepopo, recently, the song Eucharist was in Yoruba, it was impeccable. If you go to Holy Trinity Ebute-Ero, it's something else. A visit to St. Peter's, Faji, is incredible, it's amazing and King's Church, Enu-owa. We just air-conditioned that Church - the voice well harmonised.
I feel very proud of these churches and if you visit the Igbo churches, it's something else. They have the Igbo gadgets and when they start to make use of these gadgets, you can't, but dance. The other day, I was in Our Saviour's Church, that church has an orchestra, in which the people had invested a lot. The choir there is very good. These choirs all over are very good. They perform very well. And the clergymen and their wives are doing well and the laity are always available to make use of their talents - both human and material resources. And I feel very proud of them.
I must say that the Primate has been an inspirer, he has done a lot for the Church of Nigeria. And this church has become the cynosure of all eyes in this country and outside this country. Even the hostel we built in Oyo - there was a time we were in the Bishops' meeting and he just said: 'Baba Lagos, I want to appeal to you to do something for that place.' And he said: 'Don't worry, I'm a builder, I can come and assist you to do the pegging of the place.' I was taken aback and I said, well, I would try. The point I want to make is that a word of encouragement can make all the difference. So, as I came back, I called the Chancellor, Justice Oguntade, the treasurer and some other people and I related to them the words of the Primate and before we knew it, the house was completed. I just want to count our blessings, name them one by one and thank God for what the Lord has done.
In the area of clergy training we do that on a regular basis: what we call the clergy continuing education programme even up to language laboratory. We train our clergy to be motivational speakers. We have been able to present the gospel from our own cultural setting. What I mean is this: We are not oyibo people, we are not Britons; we are not Americans. We are Nigerians. Nigerians and Africans are incurably religious, we are lively in the way - we worship.
We want to see our worship from that perspective without losing our Christian identity and our Anglican identity as well. When, we have praise and worship - if you want to raise your hands - you are free to do so. Gone are the days when we have to use the hymns to the altar for thanksgiving, we want to drum, we want to sing, we want to dance, there is nothing wrong with that.
We thank God for all those who had served in this Diocese and had gone to rest. We pray that light perpetual will shine upon them. We pray also that the Church of Nigeria will continue to grow by leaps and bounds and the Diocese of Lagos to record monumental achievements. We are planning this low-key celebration because in our country, today. There is global economic meltdown and the church is supposed to set example worthy of emulation.
There is no point having this celebration and then spending millions. There are things we want to do, which people will benefit more from, for instance, we are okay spending money to assist missionary dioceses.
We try to assist churches within and outside the diocese that are not financially strong. I believe that would be more rewarding than spending millions for dinner. I'm not saying we shouldn't have a kind of get-together. Whatever we may want to do, everything must be done in moderation.
In our Diocese we have people of note that God is using and they are ready to serve the Lord in humble loyalty. For example, the treasurer of the Diocese of Lagos is the managing director of Equatorial Trust Bank. He's a godly man. We also have others and any time you need them they are always available.
The Chancellor is the Justice of the Supreme Court and he's always ready to serve. Chief Shonekan, for example, former Head of State, any assignment given to him - he's ready to do it. So, we thank the Lord for what He's doing in our Diocese.
Could you outline activities lined up for this celebration
The events for the celebration start from December 5, with special festival of Faith Day and it's going to be a colourful celebration by the women of the Diocese under the able leadership of their president, Mrs. I. O. Ademowo, at Faith Plaza, CMS Road, Bariga, Lagos from 8am.
Then on Sunday, December 6, there's going to be Youth Rally titled: "Walking for Christ," it holds at the Archdeaconry levels and meant to create awareness at 4pm.
Also, on Monday, December 7, at 11am, there will be a press briefing to let the whole world know what we are doing. We shall also put in the internet what we want to do. Same Monday to Wednesday, December 9, there will be a three-day revival in every parish at 5pm. On Thursday, December 10, the proper event will start with Holy Communion Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral Church of Christ from 11am and the theme is "Faith of Our Fathers, Living Still."
Friday, December 11, from 9pm to Saturday, December 12, there will be a vigil - Victory Night - with musical concerts from 9pm to 1am and we are going to use the TBS open space. That same Saturday, December 12, from noon, there will be Bible quiz at the Holy Trinity Church, Ebute-Ero - each Archdeaconry is to be represented by a youth of 30 years or below. And on Sunday, December 13, there's going to be Thanksgiving services in all the parishes to round off the event.
Expatiate on the theme: "Ye Shall Receive Power... that the Father may be glorified in the Son taken from Acts 1:8; John 14:13
When you have power of the Holy Spirit you will go extra kilometres in the service of the Lord. The word power means Dunamis in Greek language and that is where the word Dynamo is taken from. And when they say someone is dynamic that means, he's able to do things more than the ordinary. So, with the Holy Spirit in you, you will do things that people will marvel at.
Your spirituality level will go up and other areas of your life things will be different. The Bible will now speak to every situation of your life. And your life will be a blessing not only to your generation but also to generations yet unborn. And then you will be an influencer and if there is any hope for this country, it is because people who come to church are blessed and they go out there to live their lives as Christians. We are partners with the government in the area of progress and in the area of transformation in this country.
I also believe that the new crop of young ones that are coming up, if we do a lot of Christian education (for them), there are assets for the Church and this country as well. And I'm sure, someday, we will be out of the woods in this country. Beyond the tunnel there is light. There is hope for our country. God has His own plans for this country and we will all join hands to ensure that we continue to pray for Nigeria and look forward to just and egalitarian society.
On impact of the event on members and the society at large
Whatever they have received here, members are expected to go out there and practicalise their faith, and influence others, and it makes all the difference.
The place for the less-privileged in the event
We do that from the grassroots. In every church they try to cater for the less-privileged. They assist them as much as possible and that goes up to the Archdeaconry level and to the Diocesan level. We have a welfare unit in every church and in every parish where welfare of the less-privileged is really taken care of. When I was a priest, I would go to any length to assist the less-privileged. We even have people who are very brilliant and they don't have people to assist them in their education. The church takes up the responsibility. It's an ongoing thing; it is a continuous thing. It makes sense for us than to say for this particular one week we want to do this or that. It is what we've been doing and we will continue to do it. It is part and parcel of our system.
What you hear from God concerning Nigeria as politicians prepare for 2010 elections
Nobody is telling me anything. We are just praying and hoping for the best for our country; and we are asking the Lord to take absolute control. I'm not a politician and so, I don't want to dabble in politics or say something that I'm not too sure of. All I know is that God owns this country and the plans He has for Nigeria will come to pass.
The progress made so far on same sex marriage in the Anglican Church
I must say that the Primate is our spokesman within the country and outside the country. And let me say we are fortunate to have Archbishop Okoh who is going to be the next Primate. He's the Primate-elect; he's Primate-in-waiting. What Primate Akinola has done so far - we are quite happy and we appreciate his leadership. He has done a lot and Archbishop Okoh is stepping into his shoes. And he's someone we are very excited to have as our new Primate.
Having said that, we have not shifted our position from Biblical orthodoxy. We have not shifted our posture from the fact that the fundamentals of Christianity cannot be jettisoned or elbowed to the background. We believe that we must live our lives as Bible-based Christians. We also believe that anything that does not bow to Biblical scrutiny is not acceptable. That is just the summary of everything.
Personalities expected to grace the occasion
The high and low are expected, no one is going to be left out.
Who are those ministering?
The Primate, Most Revd Peter Akinola, is going to preach on December 10 at the Cathedral Church of Christ at 11am.
Reminiscence as the seventh Archbishop of the Diocese of Lagos
It's quite exciting. But at the same time, the higher you go, the hotter, it becomes. You have a lot to do and personally, I'm a student of perfectionism and workaholic. There are many things to do within a short period of time.
Sometimes I wish we have more than 365 days in a year, because there are so many things that one would need time to accomplish. Even with all that you still prioritise and do the necessary things that we need to do.
We make sure we concentrate on the major rather than wasting time on the minor. The major is concentrating on the essentials of Christianity - evangelism, fellowship and service.
Essentially, I'm an evangelist and a pastor. Whatever may be the paraphernalia of office, rank or status, you are supposed to be a pastor. In fact, before I became Bishop of Ilesha they were asking for an evangelist and that was how I became Bishop of Ilesha. I was there for 11 years as a Bishop even though I spent 28 years there. I grew up here in Lagos, went there and came back.
The work of a Bishop is Episcopal assignment. Services or assignments such as ordination, confirmation, dedication and apart from all these, I also do a lot of administrative work. I also find time to attend to my family, when they were still young, I had to check their exercise books to ensure they are behaving well. So, the work is quite exciting and we are enjoying it.
By the grace of God I'm a very meticulous person, who is given to details. If a thing is to be done this way I must insist it must be done this way. And you know in our country, today, people don't want to do things properly any more. But in our own system here I must insist. If this chair should be there it should be there; and if you have to write in a particular way I insist. You don't send me a letter without signing it. For example, it's a height of carelessness to write a letter, beautifully written and you forgot to sign it.
We must do things properly the way it should be done. I enjoy doing the work with the clergy as a team. The Lord is moving in our midst and we thank God for it. The glory and the credit all go to the Almighty.
Advice to the political leaders
They must have the fear of God in them. They must think of the masses first before themselves. They must put smiles on faces of the masses. Personally, I'm serving the masses, I used to tell the clergy that we are servants period! We are to serve the people and not the people serving us. We must ensure that "Others come first, and then ourselves last."
If we take it from there this country will be a better place for all us. If we are out to serve the masses with all our resources and constituency allowances are disbursed for the purpose, for which it is earmarked, that will be great indeed.
