Diocese of Lagos Mainland

If anyone had told Professor Adebayo Akinde he was going to be pioneer bishop of a new diocese two years ago, he would probably have dismissed it. Having pioneered many projects in the academia, he thought he had had enough of pioneering work. So when an older colleague advised him to start praying that he Akinde should be made the pioneer vice chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Akinde disappointed him by saying he had no such desire.

But Professor Akinde admitted that he had the desire to become a bishop some day, although he thought it would be to a settled place, not a new diocese. But as the ways of man are not those of God, he has been named pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland (Anglican Communion).

Professor Akinde said in Abeokuta before heading to Abuja for his consecration, scheduled for Sunday, August 20 that it was the Primate, Metropolitan and All Nigeria, The Most Rev Peter Jasper Akinola, who called him to break the news to him on June 30. His immediate reaction was to thank God and the

What should the diocese expect from him? "My credo for Christian service is: God, here [ am; I'm available; use me. The position of Bishop is honourable; it is also an onerous one. It is intimidating. But my confidence rests on the Lord's grace being sufficient for me. Your visit and that of others from the new diocese is reassuring. ; We have the same paternity in Jesus, so we will work together. I beg that you see me as your brother and friend. Let us be channels and vessels of honour for God to use to build the Diocese of Lagos Mainland into a place of honour."

For Akinde, who until the election was the Provost of the Cathedral of St. Peter Ake, Abeokuta, the news is a crowning glory to a journey in the ministry which began on December 23, 1979, when he was made a Deacon in the Anglican Church by The Rt. Rev Joseph Soremi Adeniyi, the Asst. Bishop of the then Diocese of Egba-Egbado. Venue was St. Andrew's Church, Ibara, Abeokuta. He became a priest on December 20, 1981 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta. The Diocesan then was The Rt. Rev T.I. Akintayo. On May 28, ] 989, Akinde became an Honorary Canon in the Diocese of llesa under The Rt. Rev Adebola Ademowo. Three years later on July ] 2, 1992, he became a Statutory Canon. On November 28, 1993, he was collated as a Venerable Archdeacon in the Diocese of Egba at the Cathedra] of St. Peter. Throughout this period, Prof Akinde combined his priestly duties with those of an academic at the Obafemi Awolowo University, [Ie Ife. Shortly after