Exclusive Interview with the Host Bishop at the 2025 Standing Committee Meeting (SCM), Ado-Ekiti
Interview Panel:
My Lord Bishop, as the host of this great event, what are your feelings and expectations? What particular message do you have for the people of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti our esteemed visitors—especially our Primate—and all participants in this Standing Committee Meeting?
The Host Bishop (Rt. Revd Andrew Olusola Ajayi):
Thank you very much. First, I want to sincerely thank God for our Primate, the Most Revd Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba. God, in His infinite wisdom, has inspired him to bring this year’s Standing Committee to our headquarters here in Ado-Ekiti at such a time as this. We deeply appreciate him because hosting this Standing Committee has revived not only the Diocese but also the State and the people of God.
We had been praying fervently for the safe arrival and protection of our Primate and all delegates coming for this meeting. Today, we are rejoicing in the faithfulness of God for answering those prayers.
Our expectation is that this SCM will bring development and renewal to the Church of God. We encourage our Primate to continue leading his administration as the spiritual head of this great province. God has been using him mightily, and we are confident that the same God will continue to strengthen him and all the leaders of our Church during this meeting.
Indeed, the people of God will be inspired, the Church of Nigeria will grow, and everyone who comes here will return with testimonies. This is because our God is a good God—He is alive in the Diocese of Ekiti, He answers prayers, and His presence is evident in this land. It is no surprise that Ekiti, among all Nigerian towns, is home to Iyin-Ekiti, meaning “Praise”—for in Ekiti, prayers ascend, and answers descend.
We believe that for our Primate, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, the Archbishops, Bishops, Chancellors, delegates, and indeed every participant, this meeting will be a turning point. They will return with testimonies, and the Church of Nigeria will rise to greater heights. Amen.
Interview Panel:
My Lord, this event is being hosted in Ekiti again after more than 13 years. How do you feel about this return?
The Host Bishop:
It is indeed a joyful reunion! We had longed for the privilege of hosting the Standing Committee once again because every time the Diocese of Ekiti has hosted, it has brought showers of blessings to us.
I recall that when we last hosted, I was the Dean of the Diocese. By divine providence, I am now the Bishop, and it gives me great joy to welcome the Church of Nigeria once again at this point in my episcopal ministry. I believe that good things will continue to happen, not only within our Diocese but also in all the Churches of the Church of Nigeria.
We are grateful to our Primate for granting us this honor, and we continue to pray that God will bless and prosper His Church in Nigeria and beyond.
Interview Panel:
Thank you, my Lord.
The Host Bishop:
Thank you for the opportunity.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!
GOD BLESS OUR PRIMATE!!
GOD BLESS THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (Anglican Communion)!!!
