The inauguration of the Ekiti South Diocese as the 169th Diocese in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion was a landmark service gathering sons and daughters of Ekiti land in Ikere-Ekiti on the 27th of November, 2025.

Declaring the diocese inaugurated after all processes and documentation, the Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion urged the members of Ekiti South to pray for the bishop and his wife, The Rt.Rev Dr. and Prof. Francis Bankole for the grace to carry the load on their neck in developing the new diocese for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ.

The service which started by 10:00am at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s Church Ikere Ekiti featured a procession by the choir, lay readers, priests, wardens, legal officers, Bishops and Archbishops, Registrar and General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, the Dean and the Primate.

The only lesson for this service was taken from the book of Matthew 16:13-28.

The service was marked with a deeply spiritual sermon delivered by the Most Revd Dr. Cyril Odutemu, Archbishop of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and bishop of Ughelli Diocese.

The Archbishop’s message stressed the foundational role of Jesus Christ and issued a clear challenge to the new diocese to embrace unity over division.

Reading from Matthew 16:18 “On this rock, I shall build my church”, he declared that Jesus Christ is the one and only Rock upon which the newly formed diocese is laid.

“If Jesus is the Rock, we have to be careful on how we build upon it,” the Archbishop cautioned. He emphasized that the immense work and labor that led to the realization of this vision must now translate into an equally dedicated effort to build a spiritual edifice worthy of its foundation.

“This diocese is of the Lord, and He is the rock upon which this diocese will be laid. Everyone must build upon it with care, because there will be a reward,” he said.

Addressing the future character of the diocese, Archbishop Odutemu called for collective purpose.

“Ekiti South will be a diocese where unity will overcome division,” he proclaimed. “The grace of God will conquer the power of hell in this diocese.”

He reminded the congregation, which included both the clergy and the laity, that the ownership of the new diocese is not vested in any individual or group.

“This diocese does not belong to the Bishop or any of the laity, but rather to Jesus Christ,” he stressed. “So whatever happens here should be done in honor of God’s name.”

The homily concluded with a pointed question for all members of the new diocese, “Which side would you be, to build up the house of the Lord or to destroy?”

After the message, the representatives of the various archdeaconries being carved out as a diocese presented their petition to create the diocese before the Primate who accepted the petition and called for the deeds (relinquishment and acceptance) to be read and executed.

The primate thereafter inaugurated the Diocese of Ekiti South with a great sound of joy from the congregation and lead the prayers for the new diocese and the bishop.

The reliquinshing diocesan, The Rt. Rev. Andrew Ajayi thereafter moved out with his staff of office as a sign of signing out his jurisdiction over the said area now inaugurated.

The service was conducted by the Archbishop of Lagos, The Most Rev’d Dr. Michael Fape and attended by over 40 bishops and Archbishops of the Church, Ekiti State governor, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, government officials, clergymen from various dioceses, Church of Nigeria officials, Renowned legal luminary, Wole Olanipekun SAN, captains of industries among other dignitaries.

Ekiti South was carved out of the existing Ekiti Diocese as part of the newly created 15 dioceses in the Church of Nigeria at its last Standing committee meeting held in Ekiti last September, 2025.

At the close of the inaugural service, the enthronement service commenced.

Korede Akintunde
CoN Communications Officer
30th November, 2025
Email: communication@anglican-nig.org