Anglican Diocese of Lagos

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The Anglican Diocese of Lagos^[1] is one of 13 dioceses within the Anglican Province of Lagos, itself one of 14 provinces within the Church of Nigeria.^[2] The current bishop is Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye^[3] who succeeded Ephraim Ademowo.^[4]

History[]

The evangelical movements of the 18th Century gave rise to many missionary societies such as that of the Baptist (1792), "The joint efforts" (1795) and Church Missionary Society – C.M.S (1799). Closely related to them was the birth of the British and Foreign Bible Society (1804) and the C.M. S.-inspired founding of the West African Mission in the same year. There was also the Niger Expedition of 1841 which was a response by both the Church Missionary Society and Wesleyan Missionary Society to evangelise newly freed slaves in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Henry Townsend of the CMS and Birch Freeman of the Wesleyan Missionary Society made exploratory visits to Badagry in 1842, giving a joint service of Eucharist and thanksgiving on Christmas Day 1842.

Early missionaries such as Henry Townsend, Charles Andrew Gollmer and Samuel Ajayi Crowther gave rise to the Yoruba Mission. Gollmer was made Deacon in 1841, and priest the same year. Samuel Ajayi Crowther was consecrated Bishop in London on 29 June 1864.

He had founded the All-African Mission in 1847, and headed it until his death in 1891. Following Crowther's death, the CMS Home office/Secretariat in London chosen J .S. Hill as successor instead of any of the more suitable Africans, nearly all of whom were Assistant Bishops. Among them were Archdeacons James Johnson, Henry Johnson, Dandeson Crowther (son of late Ajayi Crowther), James Quaker, Isaac Oluwole and Charles Phillips. J.S. Hill assumed leadership and invited Isaac Oluwole, Adolphus Howells and Charles Phillips to be his Assistant Bishops.

In 1894, Herbert Tugwell was consecrated Bishop of West Equatorial Africa, and James Johnson became a "half-bishop". There was a sub-division into two of what used to be known as the "Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa".

On 10 October 1919, the Nigerian country, West and North of the Niger were cut off from the Diocese of Equatorial West Africa to form the diocese of Lagos. Bishop Herbert Tugwell, F. Melville Jones, a European Missionary Educationist and Principal of St. Andrew's College, consecrated Oyo as the first Bishop.

The remaining part – East of the country, was carved out and named Diocese on the Niger. Its formal inauguration took place on 5 March 1920 with the Bertram Lasbrey as first Bishop; he did not become Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger until 1922.

F. Melville Jones served as Bishop of Lagos from 1919 to 1940, and was succeeded by Assistant Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger Leslie Gordon Vining. On 17 April 1951 at the inauguration of the Province of West Africa, Vining was elected and presented as the first Archbishop of the new Province. Under him, Lagos Diocese was divided into four Dioceses (Niger Delta, Ibadan, Kaduna and Ondo inaugurated in 1952). Vining died at sea on March 1955 and was succeeded by Adelakun Howells. Then following in succession, the episcopacy of Seth Irunsewe Kale from 1963 to 1974; Festus Oluwole Segun from January 1975 to 1985 and Bishop Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye from 1985 to 1999.

From 2000 to 2018, the Diocese of Lagos has led by Ephraim Ademowo as both Bishop and Archbishop of Province One comprising all the dioceses geographically located in the Southwest and Midwest areas of the country. In 2008, he was re-elected for another 5-year term as Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos.

The Diocese of Lagos had eight bishops between 1919 and 2018

Bishops[]

Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye (M.A., PhD) since 2018. He built several structures in what culminated into an Anglican Village in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State.

Ephraim Ademowo (OON, PhD, FNAL) 2000-2018: Bishop of Lagos from 2000 – 2018. Dean Emeritus: Church of Nigeria. Archbishop of Province One comprising all the dioceses geographically located in the Southwest and Midwest, Province 1 (Supra Diocesan Board West) of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). In 2008, he was re-elected for another 5-year term as Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos.

Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye (B.D, AKC, D.D, CON) 1985-1999: Bishop of Lagos from 1985-1999. He became the Primate of all Nigeria and Archbishop, Metropolitan, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, 1988 to 1999. The Bishop of Ekiti from 1970 to 1985. He established the Lagos Anglican Bible College (LABICO). He increased the Dioceses from 26 to 76.

Festus Segun, (B.D.,M.A., D.D) 1975-1985: Bishop of Lagos from 1975-1985. The Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina from 1960-1970; Bishop of Northern Nigeria from 1970-1975. He initiated a Continuing Education Programme for the Clergy through the initiative of a Board for the Continuing Education of the Clergy (BOCEC).

Seth Irunsewe Kale (M.A.,D.D) 1963-1975: The Bishop of Lagos from 1963-1975. The Principal of our Prestigious CMS Grammar School for five years; the Dean of Anglican Schools and Colleges in 1949; the Principal of St. Andrew's Teacher Training College, Oyo. During his tenure, alterations were made in the interior of Christ Cathedral Church, Marina.

Adelakun Williamson Howells II (M.A. B.D) 1955-1963: The Bishop of Lagos from 1955-1963. He replaced the wooden, rickety bungalow that has served as Bishop's court with a multi-storey building, the foundation of which was laid on 1 December 1959 and completed on 24 September 1960. He relocated the CMS Grammar School from central Lagos Island to a more spacious site in Bariga.

Leslie Gordon Vining (CBE; M.A.; D.D) 1940-1955: Bishop of Lagos from 1940-1955 and the Archbishop of Province of West Africa from 1951-1955. He was the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger and became the second Bishop of Lagos. On 17 April 1951, at the inauguration of the Province of West Africa, Leslie Vining was elected and presented as the first Archbishop of the new Province. In 1952 he divided the Old Lagos Diocese into four: Lagos, Ibadan, Ondo-Benin and Northern Nigeria; and that of the See on the Niger, into two parts – On the Niger and Niger Delta. He died at sea in March 1955.

F. Melville Jones (M.A.; D.D) 1919-1940:The Pioneer Bishop of Lagos 1919-1940. The Principal of St. Andrew's College, Oyo from 1894 to 1907. He operated the entire Diocese which stretched as far as Kano in the North and entire West and Mid-West as only one big Diocese.

Assistant bishops[]

During Jones' episcopate, (A. W. Smith) was assistant bishop for the north of the diocese, a forerunner of the Bishops of Northern Nigeria.^[5]

Diocesan Structure[]

For organizational purposes, the diocese is divided into three archdeaconries.:

The Centenary City[]

Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), owners of Centenary City located behind Pan Atlantic University along Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos was inaugurated on 10 December 1919. By that inauguration, it became the mother of all Anglican Dioceses in Nigeria.

Early in 2019, The Diocese lined up several activities to commemorate its centenary, including the founding of a "city within a city" in Lagos metropolis.

The Diocese of Lagos ) is led by bishop Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye.

Directorates[]

1. Lagos Diocese Guild Of Steward (LADGOS)

Director: Ven. Samuel Olaitan Ifeyemi

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Stephen Okenile Lagos
2. Emmanuel Akinmoladun – Apapa
3. M. K. O Anyika – Peninsula
4. Uche Ekwensi – Lekki
5. Ven Dr. F. O Ajayi – Peninsula
6. Luke Egwuatu – Marine Beach
7. Christian Ekeke – Kirikiri
8. Douglas-West – Lagoon
9. Olorundare – Ifesowapo
10. Joseph Owoeye – Eti-Osa
11. David Oke – Lekki
12. Sunday Oyekan – Ifesowapo
13. Nehemiah Akintade – Epe
14. Canon Raphael Gbenle – Lekk

2. Directorate of Missions, Evangelism & Discipleship

Director: The Ven. John O. Agboro

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Canon Emmanuel Fadipe – Cathedral
2. Dr. Odineka – Lagos
3. Canon Samuel Okpilolo – Apapa
4. Canon Kunle Dina – Eti Osa
5. Lufadeju – Epe
6. Canon Innocent Okafor – Ikoyi
7. Canon Akin Johnson – Victoria Island
8. Fred Ekeke – Marine Beach
9. Wilfred Okoli – Kirikiri
10. Ibukun Odedeji – Peninsula
11. Paul Ojumola – Eti Okun
12. Roland Udowan – Ifesowapo
13. Samuel Mark Bangura – New Era
14. Gbenga Ajayi – Lagoon
15. Canon Gbenle Oladapomoye – Lekki

3. Directorate of Elders' Fellowship

Director: Mrs. Modupe Fasina

Diocesan Chaplain: Ven. Samson Olaleetan

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Canon E. S. Fadipe – Cathedral
2. Emmanuel Adesanya – Lagos
3. Kehinde Olajide – Apapa
4. I. F. Idowu – Epe
5. Lawrence Ajayi – Eti Osa
6. Uche Anyachebelu – Victoria lsland
7. S. B. Olayemi – Peninsula
8. Joseph Zibe – Marine Beach
9. Sunday Oyekan – Ifesowapo
10. M. O. Ajayi – Eti Okun
11. Rev Idowu Akintunde – Lagoon
12. Christian Ajoku – New Era.
13. Rev Oluwadare O. Bolaji – Ikoyi
14. Gabriel Ibegbunam – Kirikiri

4. Directorate of Media & Publicity

1. Venerable Folorunso OreOluwa Agbelusi – Chairman
2. Canon Akpoghene Okoro – Member
3. Dotun Makinwa – Member
4. Yetunde Akinluyi – Member
5. Kunle Komolafe – Member
6. Ifeoma Ekwensi – Member
7. Gbenga Bello – Member
8. Oladokun Femi – Member
9. Iyanuloluwa Ademowo – Secretary

5. Directorate of Security, Protocol/Logistics[]

Director: Ven. Michael Idowu Hunkarin

Rev'd. U. Nwanonyoba – Secretary /Victoria Island Archdeaconry

Members

1. ASP Ogolo – Cathedral
2. Rev'd. Tunde Osho – Lagos
3. Mr. Robert Imaukhuede – Apapa
4. Mr. Adekunle Obikoya – Epe
5. Ven. SP, Temitope Ojamo – Eti Osa
6. Rev'd. Bamidele Akande – Peninsula
7. Mr. Anderson Obeghe – Marine Beach
8. Rev'd. Sunday Olatunji – Ifesowapo
9. Rev'd. Jude Idiode – Eti Okun
10. Rev'd. Paul Ebiniyi – Lagoon
11. Mr. S Akinrimisi – New Era.
12. Mr. Victor Nwibe – Kirikiri
13. Rev'd. Joseph Enema – Lekki
14. Major Opeolu (Rtd.) – Security Expert
15. Superintendent Fimson (InActive) – Security Expert

6 Directorate of Sunday School/Children's Work[]

Director: Rev. Canon Supo Ajado

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Onaolapo – Eti-Okun
2. Canon Paul Chikodili – Kirikiri
3. John Nwankwo – Marine Beach
4. Emmanuel Olatunji – Ifesowapo
5. Samuel Idowu – Lagoon
6. Canon Gabriel Afolabi – New Era
7. Kingsley Oruma – Apapa
8. Matthew Adebayo – Epe
9. Emmanuel Akinsola – Lekki
10. Nelson Onyenuwe – Peninsula
11. Silas Okoh – Ikoyi
12. Canon Paul Agunbiade – Eti-Osa
13. Sunday Ogundipe – Lagos
14. Canon Supo Ajado – Cathedral

7. Directorate of Youth[]

Director: The Ven. Williams R. Mehinsan

Chaplains

1. Peter Oloniniran – Lagos
2. James Abioye – Epe
3. Stephen Ojukwu – Apapa
4. Ayo Agunlejika – Ifesowapo
5. Nehemiah Akintade – Eti-Okun
6. Joseph Owoeye – Eti-Osa
7. Bola Osinupebi – Ikoyi
8. Olaoluwa Akinsola – Lekki
9. Goodluck Nwosu – Kirikiri
10. Faloye – Cathedral
11. Ben Okumabua – Peninsula
12. Niyi Adeluwoye – New Era
13. Sesay Edwin – Marine Beach
14. Dapo Opeyemi – Lagoon

8. Directorate of Readers & Altar Servers[]

Director: The Ven. Adebayo David Olabisi

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Okoli Uche – Kirikiri
2. Ikuoponiyi Emmanuel – Victoria Island
3. Eze Charles – Ikoyi
4. Ogundipe Sunday – Lagos
5. Nwaigbo Stanley – Marine Beach
6. Henry Mooh – Cathedral
7. Nwanne Isaac – Apapa
8. Sopeju Iyiola – Peninsula
9. Lufadeju Joseph – Epe
10. Tehinmosan Paul – Eti-Osa
11. Ojumola Paul S. – Eti-Okun
12. Adeyemo Olumuyiwa – Ifesowapo
13. Adeluwoye Adeniyi – New Era
14. Ajayi Isaac – Lagoon
15. Opara Emmanuel – Lekki

9. Directorate of Prisons Chaplaincy[]

Director: Ven. Clement Iwuoha

Chaplains

1. Samuel Ajetunmobi – Lagos
2. Canon Adebayo Matthew – Epe
3. Kingsley Oruma – Apapa
4. Canon J.B. Olajana – Eti-Osa
5. Boniface Igwealor – Ikoyi
6. Ayodele Amoo – Victoria Island
7. Raphael Okoro – Marine Beach
8. Canon Geoffrey Anajemba – Kirikiri
9. S.B. Olayemi – Peninsula
10. Ebenezer Onipede – Eti-Okun
11. Rev. Canon Sunday Oyekan – Ifesowapo
12. Sunday Adesemowo – New Era
13. Samuel Idowu – Lagoon
14. Alexander Anyachebelu – Lekki
15. David Oke – Eti-Osa

10. Directorate Of Hospital Chaplaincy/Medical Commission[]

Director: Ven. Godwin Odubena

Archdeaconry Chaplains

1. Dr. Adeyemi Oluwaseun – Cathedral Secretary
2. Julius Akinyemi Julius – Lagos
3. Canon Dr. Eruenah Oghenemermu – Apapa
4. Adeyemo Oluseyi – Epe
5. Canon Paul Agunbiade – Eti-Osa
6. Oluwadare Bolaji – Ikoyi
7. Ubesie Amos – Victoria Island
8. Okoro Raphael – Marine Beach
9. Mordi Emmanuel – Kirikiri
10. Okiti Sunday – Peninsula
11. Sholumade Luke – Eti-Okun
12. Olatunji Emmanuel – Epe
13. Onifade Johnson – New Era
14. Dr. Akumah Nelson – Lagoon
15. Igba Emmanuel – Lekki

11. Directorate of Capital Development (Centenary City)[]

Director: Very Rev. Adebola Ojofeitimi

1. Olaoluwa Akinsola – Secretary
2. Architect Ayoola Onajide
3. Engr Gbenga Adebayo
4. Venerable Uche Ubadinobi
5. Rev Canon Obiora Anyika
6. Rev Olalekan Popoola
7. Venerable OreOluwa Agbelusi
8. Olaoluwa Akinsola
9. Mrs Akinluyi
10. Joy Ebeledike
11. Engr. Olunloyo

12. Diocesan Action Committee on AIDS/HIV (DACA)[]

Director: Ven. ‘Tayo Aduloju

13. Directorate of Church Planting[]

Director: Rev. Canon Kiri Wakama

Members

1. Samuel Bangura – New Era – Secretary
2. Canon Okpilolo Samuel – Apapa
3. Nwakwo John – Marine Beach
4. Nwosu Goodluck – Kirikiri
5. Ibukun Odedeji – Peninsula
6. Idiode Jude – Eti-Okun
7. Ebiniyi – Lagoon

14. Directorate of Clergy Welfare[]

Director: Ven. Dr. Tunde Oyediran

1. Dr. Festus Ajayi – Secretary
2. Clement Iwuoha – Member
3. Philip Akinwande
4. Ilesanmi Idowu

15. Mission To The Sea Fearer[]

Chaplain/Secretary: Rev. Canon Bimbo F. Aduroja

1. Joshua Ogunleye Rtd – Chairman
2. Onayemi – Treasurer
3. Igho Dafinone – Treasurer
4. Femi Folorunso – Member
5. Felix Ebosa – Member
6. Omotayo – Member

16. Director of Training & Capacity Building[]

Director: Ven. Ife Okupevi

17. Lagos Provincial Youth Chaplain[]

Chaplain: Rev. Canon Emmanuel Fadipe

18. Diocesan Committee on Investment & Property[]

Chairman: Rev. Canon Akin Johnson

19. Directorate of Welfare[]

(Ministry of the Less Privileged)[]

Director: Ven. Uche Ekwensi

20. Directorate of Woemn/Girls' Organization[]

Chaplain: Rev. Canon Innocent Okafor

21. Directorate of Music[]

Director: Ven. Dr. Festus Ajayi

22. Directorate of Social/Events Mobilization[]

Ven. Dr. Samuel Uhie

Notes[]

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