By Chris Chimezie
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has assured that his administration would in few weeks, begin some interventions on the deplorable Owo-Ikare road which has exposed motorists to hardships.
The Governor made this known at a Thanksgiving service to commemorate the election of The Most Revd Gabriel Akinbiyi as the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, held at The Cathedral Church of St Stephen, Ikare-Akoko yesterday.
The Most Revd Akinbiyi succeeds his predecessor, Most Revd ‘Latunji Lasebikan who had meritoriously served the Province.
Arakunrin Akeredolu said he was not oblivious of the terrible state of the Owo-Ikare Road having had first hand experience on the road twice within one week.
He said efforts by his administration to work on the road has not received favourable response from the Federal Government, in view of its ownership and unpreparedness to reimburse the state of the eventual cost of fixing the road.
Addressing the congregation, Arakunrin Akeredolu who is also the Chancellor of Owo Diocese, congratulated the new Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, and members of the Anglican Communion in Akoko Diocese.
The Governor said that by the declaration of Akoko Diocese as the Archbishop seat of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Akokoland is a divine blessing.
The Governor, however, enjoined members of the Province and the congregation to support him with their fervent prayers for a successful tenure.
Earlier, the new Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Akoko Diocese, The Most Revd Gabriel Akinbiyi had thanked God for his emergence.
He said God made it possible saying His grace alone which is sufficient made his election possible and appreciated Him for the confidence to take up the challenge.
Akinbiyi, while extolling the virtues of his predecessor, Most Revd Latunji Lasebikan, described him as a wonderful man of God who has always supported and encouraged him, not because we were made Bishops same day, but majorly because he is man who wants everyone to succeed. .
In his sermon, the new Archbishop admonished the congregation to love one another genuinely without any condition attached as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
He also enjoined all members of the Ondo Province to continue to show practical love to one another and support him with their prayers to succeed in the challenges ahead.
He mentioned his visions for the Diocese to include the reconciliation of all to God and to one another through Christ’s gospel of peace to become a united and a cooperating Diocese.
He added that he will work ensure a Christocentric Diocese where Christ takes the pre-eminence and reigns in love, peace, holiness, righteousness and the power of His resurrection in the lives of the Bishop, Clergy and Laity, male and female, young and old, rich and poor.
The Most Revd Akinbiyi who commended Governor Akeredolu for the reigning peace and his giant strides in the state, appealed for his urgent attention on the deplorable condition of the Akoko Federal road which is fast be becoming unmotorable.
Some dignitaries present at the Thanksgiving Service were: traditional rulers across the state led by their Chairman, the Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, Chairman, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Mr Tunji Abayomi clergymen among others.