Four new bishops have been consecrated for the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). The consecration took place at a service, presided over by the Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, held last Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Abuja.
The newly consecrated bishops are the Rt Rev. Dr. Peter Oludipe, 55, as the 5th Bishop of Ijebu Diocese; the Rt Rev. Gabriel Elabor, 40, for the Diocese of Esan; the Rt. Rev. Adegoke Oludare Agara, 52, for Idoani Diocese and the Rt Rev. Enoch Atuboyedia, 48, for the Diocese of Okrika.
Preaching at the service, the Bishop of Otukpo Diocese and the Retreatant for the new bishops, the Rt Rev. David K. Bello asked the newly ordained bishops to govern their dioceses with integrity. They must be good shepherds and not hirelings and butchers feeding on their sheep. He urged them to stay with their sheep and to lay their lives for their sheep if necessary and not run away when there is trouble. Bello urged the new bishops to always remember where they are coming from and focus on where the Lord is leading them, with uprightness of heart as King David. “The office of the bishop requires integrity and trust. The people need to trust you. You are expected to be above reproach as Paul instructed Timothy; to command respect and not demand respect”, he told them.
The preacher also called on the leaders in Nigeria to learn to take responsibility. He asked for the restructuring of the Constitution so that different states and regions can have a say in their own regional affairs and stop the blame game of pushing all blames to the federal government. “Let states control their resources and take responsibility for their own failures and shortcomings. The federal government should learn from the Anglican Church where each diocese controls its resources and so, the primate does not take the blame for the lack in the Dioceses.
