The Rt. Revd. Rufus Morakinyo Okeremi was born to the Late Gabriel Okeremi and Late Comfort Olubola Okeremi on the 1stAugust, 1940 in Agun’s Compound, Lagere, Odeomu. He was brought up during his early age in Kinkinyiun village where he started his elementary education from 1946 – 1949 as a pioneering pupil in St. Andrew’s School Kinkinyinun before coming to Odeomu in 1950 to continue his elementary education and ended up in standard VI in 1954.
He was immediately thereafter appointed as a Pupil Teacher in St. James, School Tonkere where he taught from 1955 -56. He thereafter
proceeded to St. Peter College, Ilesha, and obtained the Grade III Teachers Certificate in December
1958. He was posted to St. Peter’s School Offatedo, now in Lagelu Local Government, Oyo State where
he taught from January 1959 to February 1960.
In February 1960, he was transferred to Anglican Central School, Lalupon as headmaster. He proceeded to St. Luke’s College, Motele Ibadan 1961-62 to undergo further training as a teacher and obtained the Grade II Teachers Certificate in December 1962. As a result of self-determination to study science and dint of hard work, he obtained tuition by correspondence and ventured into the sciences and obtained the G.C.E. Ordinary level. He was thereby admitted into Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo May 1964 Dec. 1966 to study Chemistry and
Biology. He ended up obtaining a Distinction in Chemistry and Credit Pass in Biology. He was immediately appointed as a teacher in Gbongan/Odeomu Anglican Grammar School, in January and September 1967 before being admitted to the University of Lagos where he bagged a B.Sc. Hon. Degree in Botany and Zoology in June 1970.
After graduation, he taught very briefly in Ife Anglican Grammar School before joining the Civil
Service of the old Western State as a Fisheries Officer Grade II and worked in various stations like
Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Abeokuta among other. While working as a Fisheries Officer in Abeokuta he
introduced the domestic culture of HeterotisNiloticusinto Fish farms. He had the opportunity of an
In-Service Training to travel to the United Kingdom to study in Grimsby College of Technology,
Lincolnshire, England for a Diploma in Fisheries Management, 1972 1973. He occupied various
positions and had rapid promotions till he eventually retired as a Director of Fisheries in 1990 after 35
years of service.
While still serving in the Civil Service, he joined the ordained Ministry of the church and was made
Deacon in June 1980. He rose through the ranks and was ordained priest in 1982 and preferred Canon
in 1992. He was appointed Archdeacon of Molete Archdeaconry in May 1995 –2005. Before then, he
had served as Non-stipendiary Minister in St. Paul’s Church Odo-Ona 1980-82 and St. Anne’s Church,
Molete, Ibadan, 1982 –1990 before being appointed as a full-time Minister and first resident priest in
Odutola Memorial Anglican Church, Olubadan Estate, 1990 -95.
He attended Immanuel College of Technology, Samonda, Ibadan, 1980 -82 to obtain a Diploma in
Theology. He also attended the special Advanced Leadership Training of Haggai Institute, Session 356
in Maui USA, 2001. As Archdeacon of Molete and Vicar of St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan, he
established a number of investments to help the finances of the Church. These included the
Nursery/Primary School which grew into St. Anne’s Comprehensive College; he built a female hostel,
the St. Anne’s Female Hostel, University of Ibadan, and a government-approved hospital –St. Anne’s
Anglican Hospital now taken over by the Diocese.
He also served in various capacities apart from his Parish work. He was the first Chairman the board of
Governors, St. David’s Grammar School, Odeomu, he was also Chairman, the Board of Governors, Vining
Day Nursery /Primary School, Molete Ibadan, and mooted the idea of establishing a secondary school
instead of fixing money in the bank. It was this move that led to the establishment of a new Bishop
Akinyele Grammar School, Oke Are by Ibadan Diocese. He was also a member Board of Governors,
Bishop Akinyele Grammar School and United Missionary Comprehensive College, Molete, Ibadan.
He served as the Executive Secretary of the Bishop of Ibadan, from 1992 –95. He also served as a synod
Secretary to the Diocese of Ibadan 1991 –2005 and served as Secretary to many sub-committees of
the Diocesan Board. At the same time, he was Chaplain to the Government House Chapel, Agodi,
Ibadan, 1990 2005. He was Chairman, of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Oyo State, 1994 and 1995. He was
Treasurer to the Yoruba Bible Translation Committee of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) which
resulted in the publishing of “Atoka Bible”. He also served as the Secretary of the Christian Council of
Nigeria (CCN) Western Block.
After serving as Archdeacon of Molete and Vicar of St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan for ten years,
he was appointed Provost of the Cathedral Church of St. James Oke Bola, Ibadan before being elected,
confirmed and enthroned as the pioneer Bishop of Ife-East Anglican Diocese in 2008 and finally retired
on 1stAugust, 2010. The day of his enthronement and inauguration of the Ife-East Diocese was historical
as the Ooni, of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, first-ever set his feet on Modakeke soil after
eighteen years of his enthronement and form tradition of enduring the peace between Ife and Modakeke
Communities.
He has travelled to many Countries of the world in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the
Americas. His hobbies include Fish and Arable farming, jogging, and writing. He has authored many
books including “Basics of Church Administration”, “Christian in the Contemporary World”;
“Fulfilling God’s Purpose for your Marriage” and very recently his own biography titled, “ A life of
Uncommon Grace from God”. He is a recipient of many merit awards for contributions to many
Dioceses, Archdeaconries, Parishes, and Church Societies. He is happily married to his heartthrob, Mrs.
Eunice Olufunmilayo Okeremi, (Nee Olaopa) and blessed with children and grandchildren.
He fought the good fight, on 17th March 2023, very peacefully and gloriously finished his race on earth.
He kept the faith. Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award to him on that day and not only to him but also to all who have longed for
his appearing.
He was a loving husband, father, and uncle who would be dearly missed but his legacies will never be
forgotten. Though died, he would forever be remembered.
