The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on Thursday, November 14, 2019 elected a new Bishop, The Ven. Felix Unuokhe Olorunfemi to fill the vacancy in the Diocese of Etsako.
The election was made at an Episcopal Synod held at the National Christian Centre, Central Business District in Abuja after the annual Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON 2019).
The election came as a result of the vacancy created by the translation of the bishop of Etsako, The Rt. Rev’d Jacob Bada to the diocese of Akoko where the bishop retired.
Profile Of The Ven. Felix Unuokhe Olorunfemi
The Ven. Felix Unuokhe Olorunfemi, a Priest serving in the Diocese of Ika (Anglican Communion), was born on Wednesday 8th of June, 1966 to the family of Sir & Lady Josiah Olorunfemi (of blessed memory) of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.
Early Education
The Ven. Felix Olorunfemi started his primary school in 1972 at St. Paul Primary School (now Afegbua Primary School) Awuyemi Okpella and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FLSC) in 1979. He then proceeded to Ikpomaza Grammar School, Awuyemi Okpella and our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi between 1979 and 1986 where he obtained his General Certificate of Education (WAEC) Ordinary level.
Between 1987 and 1991, the Ven. Felix Studied English and Literary Studies at the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma and obtained the Bachelor of Arts (Hons). He did the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Scripture Union (Nig.) Press and Books Ltd., Ibadan, Oyo State between 1991 and 1992 as Desk Editor and was retained in the establishment after the service year.
Early Church Life
The Ven. Felix was baptized on the 25th December, 1966 at St. Paul Church, Ifon in the Diocese of Ondo by the Rev. E. Odusanya of blessed memory and confirmed in 1982 by the Rt. Revd. J. W. Idahosa of blessed memory, Bishop of Benin Diocese. He was an active member of the Choir and the Anglican Youth Fellowship.
Later Education
The Ven. Felix U. Olorunfemi was admitted at the Ezekiel College of Theology, Ekpoma in 2002 and graduated in 2005 with a Diploma in Theology. To further his writing skills as one saddled with the responsibility of producing Bible Study manuals for both adult, teenagers and children in the Diocese of Ika, Felix went back to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma for a Master of Arts degree in Stylistics (in view). He also attended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Advanced Course in Church Ministry in 2013 and thereafter completed the Levels 1 – 3 of the Langham Expository Preaching Seminars (Langham Partnership International) in 2013.
Teaching Experience
The Ven. Felix Olorunfemi taught the Senior Class English Language, Literature in English and C.R.S. at Mary and Martha Juniorate Convent, Igbodo between 2002 and 2007 under the then Principal, Ven. Godfrey Ifeanyichukwu Ekpenisi now the Rt. Rev’d Godfrey I. Ekpenisi, Bishop of Ika Diocese.
Parish Experience
The Ven. Felix is a passionate teacher, preacher and expositor of the word of God. This he has done consistently in all the stations he has been privileged to serve. Under him as Director of the Directorate of Mission and Evangelism, there was vigorous pursuit of the Diocesan Vision and Mission Statement: To enhance the mode of worship, teach and preach the word of God in all our Churches.
Positions Held
i. Sexton, St. James Anglican Church, Akpakpava, Benin City 1984 – 1986
ii. Bible Study Teacher / Choir Leader, NIFES, Bendel State University, Ekpoma 1987 -1991
iii. Curate, St. George Anglican Church, Igbodo 2002 – 2004
iv. Vice Principal / Chaplain, Mary & Martha Juniorate Convent, Igbodo 2002 – 2007
v. Vicar & Parish Priest, Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ekwuoma 2004 – 2007
vi. Vicar & Parish Priest, St. Michael Church, Ute – Erumu 2008 – 2010
vii. Vicar & Archdeacon, St. James' Church & Agbor Archdeaconry 2010 – 2016
viii. Vicar & Archdeacon, St. Paul Church & Agbor – Obi Archdeaconry 2016 – 2018
ix. Vicar / Archdeacon, St. John Anglican Church, Agbor and Supervisory Priest, St. John Administrative Area January 2019 till date.
x. Director, Directorate of Mission and Evangelism 2010 – 2018
xi. Co-Ordinator, Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) 2011 – 2018
xii. Vice Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) Ika South 2010 – 2012
xiii. Director, Directorate of Ventures & Economic Empowerment January 2019 till date.
xiv. Second Vice Chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Agbor Auxiliary January 2019 till date.
Publications
The Ven. Felix Olorunfemi is an author and playwright and has the following publications to his credit: Dare To be Different (2003); The Consequence (2016) and Heart of the Shepherd (2016).
Other works waiting to be published include: The Detractor, The Forgotten Companion, Under the Fig Tree, The Bible Way of Giving and Redeeming The Time.
Ordination And Preferments
- Ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P.I. Onekpe – 11th July, 2002
- Ordained Priest by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P.I. Onekpe – 20th July, 2003
- Preferred Statutory Canon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P.I. Onekpe – 4th June 2007
- Preferred Archdeacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P.I. Onekpe – 1st October, 2010
Hobbies
His Hobbies include Worship (Singing), Reading, Writing, Preaching, Teaching and playing of musical instruments.
Family Life
The Ven. Felix Unuokhe Olorunfemi got married to Mrs. Rich – El C.O. Olorunfemi in 1998. Mrs. Rich-El has an OND Diploma in Public Administration from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi and a B.Sc. Hons (Ed) in Educational Management from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The marriage is blessed with three children – Voras Eshiozemhe, Triumph Oyeshiotse and Dominion Eshiompegho.
