History was made on Thursday, 5 February 2026, in the ancient city of Idanre, Ondo State, as the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, formally inaugurated the Idanre Missionary Diocese.

The new diocese, carved out of the Diocese of Akure, becomes the 177th Diocese in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), marking the fulfillment of a 131-year spiritual journey that began with the introduction of the Gospel to the Idanre area in 1895.

The inauguration service, held amid solemn worship and joyful celebration, attracted a distinguished gathering of Archbishops, Bishops, clergy, laity, and traditional rulers of the Idanre Kingdom. Described as the “Apostle of Peace and Reconciliation,” the Primate led the legal and spiritual rites that signaled a new dawn for the historic “City of a Thousand Mountains.”

A major highlight of the service was the formal reading and execution of the Deeds of Relinquishment and Acceptance by the Archbishop of Ondo Province and Bishop of Akure Diocese, The Most Rev’d Dr. Simeon Borokini, and the Pioneer Bishop of the new diocese, The Rt. Rev’d Olubode Abimbola Otenaike.

The inauguration sermon was delivered by The Rt. Rev’d Jacob O. B. Bada, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Akoko, who preached from John 9:1–41. He described the 131-year wait as an expression of divine timing, emphasizing that delays and challenges often serve God’s greater purpose. He noted that “what appears as a setback in human eyes may be God’s design for greater opportunities.”

Bishop Bada further underscored the strategic missionary importance of Idanre, describing it as a vital outpost for evangelism and discipleship, adding that Idanre is widely recognized as the home of cocoa production in Southwest Nigeria. He offered prayers for the sanctification of the land and the prosperity of its people, declaring that “the blessing is just starting.”

Bishop Bada commended the Primate’s leadership for choosing reconciliation over punishment—a pastoral approach that helped resolve long-standing issues and paved the way for the historic inauguration. He also called for an authentic African expression of the Christian faith, one that remains firmly rooted in Scripture while rejecting cultural values that contradict the Gospel.

A solemn moment of the service was the observation of a minute of silence in honor of late Most Rev’d Dr. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, former Archbishop of a Lagos and a son of Idanre who has contributed so much to the spreading of the gospel in Idanre land. Tributes were also paid to the early missionaries, particularly Bishop Charles Phillips, and to the traditional rulers whose support has sustained the Church’s growth in Idanre over the past 131 years.

With the inauguration completed, The Rt. Rev’d Olubode Abimbola Otenaike formally assumed office as the Pioneer Bishop of the Idanre Missionary Diocese. Charging the clergy and laity to give him their full support, the Primate reminded the congregation that “the end of a journey is better than its beginning.” The service of Enthronement followed immediately, officially seating Bishop Otenaike on the cathedra.

Signed:
Ven. Raphael A. Aderinwale
Director of Communication
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Date: 5 February 2026
Email: communication@anglican-nig.org