Kunle Adelabu
It was a memorable occasion on the Easter Monday when The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, dedicated the Cathedral Vicarage 12 years after its foundation stone was laid.
The Vicarage located within the Cathedral Church complex is consisted of a duplex and two separate 2 – Bedroom apartments was dedicated by the Bishop, The African Church, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, Rt. Revd. Ezekhial Adeleke Adetoro and elders of the Church.
Rt. Revd. Bishop Motolani Beckley, Bishop, The African Church Mission in Ghana (then Venerable of the Church) and the former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Prince (Barr.) Rotimi Ogunleye, who was the Peoples Warden of the Church at the time, laid the foundation of the Vicarage.
Dedicating the edifice with Bishop Adetoro was the youngest Cathedral Warden ever in the history of the Church who completed the building, Engr. Sunday Oshin, others are Elder (Chief) Amos Oshin, Trustee Emeritus, Dr Taiwo A.G. Okeowo, Trustee, Mr Taiwo Fakunmoju, former Warden and a Trustee, Mr Lanre Ighodalo, former Cathedral Warden and Prince Bayo Ogunleye, the Otun Baba Ijo and former Vice Lay President, The African Church, Lagos West Missionary Diocese.
Bishop Adetoro in his dedication message commended the Cathedral Church for initiating the edifice and doing everything to ensure its completion.
“I congratulate all the Wardens that see to the initiative, construction and completion of this project, starting from Barr. Rotimi Ogunleye who conceived the idea and others. They are all doing great now after serving the lord”, Bishop Adetoro said.
“It was Venerable Beckley, now the Bishop in – charge of The African Church, Ghana Mission, that was the Minster when the foundation stone was laid twelve years ago.
“Today, we are thankful to God that the tenure of Engr. Sunday Oshin, as the Cathedral Warden completed the edifice that we are dedicating.
“It’s always difficult to achieve great and good things but we are thankful that we have the favour of God to start and complete this twelve years after its foundation was laid.
While stating that the Church has been putting in place necessary facilities to be a full Diocese, Bishop Adetoro also charged elders, management and the general congregation of the Church on the need to urgently rehabilitate the Cathedral structure.
“We thank God that we are gradually putting in place necessary things to make us a Diocese and respected cathedral among other churches. Now that we have competed this, there is need to hasten work on the Bishop Court.
“There is also urgent need to rehabilitate our Cathedral which has been calling for attention. God will be build houses for all of us as we build His own house”, he prayed.
The Cathedral Warden, Engr. Sunday Oshin speaking thanked the entire congregation for the support in completing the edifice.
“We never thought that we could have this befitting edifice in this Church but today and thanks, we have a great structure that will accommodate our men of God”, he said
“I am grateful to the Bishop, elders of the Church and entire congregation for this achievement.
Speaking with THE IMPACT, Engr. Oshin said that the Church has proven that we love and cooperation, great things can be achieved.
“We work together to achieve this laudable edifice for our Bishop and other Ministers. Gone are the days when we spent millions renting apartments for clergies posted to our Cathedral.
“I commended and congratulate every member of our great Church for working together in love, unity and with focus on achieving great things after turbulent phase of our lives in this Church. I thank the,m for making this possible during my tenure as the Cathedral Warden
“I also want to thank Barr. Rotimi Ogunleye, during whose administration this was conceived. He is the pathfinder and other Wardens after him for sustaining the legacy.
Prince Lanre Ighodalo, a former Cathedral Warden who spoke on behalf of other past Wardens stated that some individuals and families like Mama Dada, Engr Afolabi Dixon, Awojobi, Ogunleye and Chief Okunowo played very prominent roles in the completion of the Vicarage.
He said that the structure will add to the status of the Cathedral Church.
