From Francis Akinnodi, Ondo
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The Diocese of Ondo Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Saint Stephen Cathedral, Oke-Aluko, has performed the investiture of Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo and Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, SAN as the new Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor respectively for the diocese.
The church also performed the installation of Reverends Joseph Bayode, Olusola Abajingin and Olalekan Ajibade as Statutory Canons in the diocese, while letters of appointment were also presented to Barristers Yejide Ogundipe and Olu Adenodi as the new Registrar and Deputy Registrar respectively by the Bishop of the Ondo Anglican diocese, Rt. Revd. Stephen Adeniran Oni.
Speaking while performing the investiture, Bishop Oni described the programme as his first assignment since he took over the affairs of the diocese, he advised them to see their appointments and the positions bestowed on them as a challenge for them and contribute more to the growth and development of the diocese and the Church of Nigeria in general.
The Bishop urged them to pray for more knowledge and understanding that would enable them perform better in their new assignments and admonished them to be closer to their bible, saying this would enable the spirit of God to be with them in everything they do.
“To the new Canons, you must be wary of what you do in the church and be responsible in the house of God, remember that no man appoints himself into a position except God, remember that you are at the diocese to work and contribute to its development” he stated.
The cleric who cited several biblical passages to support his points, stressed the need for them to devote themselves to prayers and reading of the scripture, noting that this would not only deepen their faiths, but enable them to be more exposed to several issues and life experiences, especially within the Church of God.
Bishop Oni equally stressed the need for the wives of the new chancellor and canons to play a major role in the new assignment given to their husbands by assisting them morally and spiritually, saying the move would enable them perform better and record successes in the tasks ahead of them.
The religious leader equally called on members of the church to shun what he called tribalistic policy and cooperate with the new appointees by continuing to respect them and ensure that the purpose for which they were appointed were fulfilled.
On the forthcoming general elections, the cleric urged christians not to sell their votes for money but rather vote for the candidates of their choices, he equally advised them to be wary of those politicians he called selfish who may not have anything to offer them.
Speaking further on the security challenges currently facing the country, the religious leader lamented over the trend and described it as worrisome, he called on government at all levels to unite together in order to tackle the menace.