The newly enthroned Bishop of Ibadan North Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, has called for unity, harmony, and love in the diocese and in the country at large.
He said that lack of unity even in churches could hinder progress and development.
Aladekugbe, who became the second Bishop of the Diocese after the retirement of the Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo in May this year, was translated to the See of Ibadan North in the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on July 2, 2022, from the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Ikeja, Lagos.
The former Bishop of Oyo Diocese was well received at the St. Peter’s Cathedral Ibadan by the clergy and people of the Diocese of Ibadan North Diocese and subsequently, inaugurated as the Diocesan Bishop in a service, which attracted dignitaries including Bishops, government officials, and traditional rulers.
Delivering his inaugural address, last Sunday, Aladekugbe said: “With disunity, the gospel cannot be truly preached. Christianity will become a subject of mockery, so, there should always be harmony in the church, as stated in the Bible. Also, without brotherly love, there will be no peace in the family, the church, and society at large. Let us come together, remember our first love; let’s make our diocese one, where everybody will be somebody.”
The Bishop also called for prayers and spiritual support from the people and promised never to disappoint God or let the people down, even as he shared his vision for youth development and the general transformation of the diocese.
“I am not a saint, so please pray for me that our ministry will please God and the Church. I need everybody’s full support to win more souls for Christ.
“We should give our youths prominent places in the diocese and beyond. It’s going to be an era of transformation, friendship, development, and monumental breakthroughs for the diocese,” he said.
With over 30 years in the ministry, the Bishop has served in diverse positions in the Church, including as Dean of Theological College and Cathedral Church, Deacon in 1988, Priest in 1989, and consecrated Bishop in 2014.
Born on June 4, 1964, he had his primary and post-primary education in different institutions before enrolling at the Immanuel College of Theology and Christian Education between 1985 and 1988. He proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, where, in 1994, he bagged a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies with a First Class Honours degree. He further obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan in 1997 and a Ph.D. in Christian Theology from the Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2011.
Aladekugbe is married to Catherine Aladekugbe, a civil engineer and fellow, of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. They are blessed with four children.
