Chief Abayomi Akeremale becomes Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo Methodist Cathedral Okitipupa .
– Steve Ovirih
Former Force Education Officer ( FEO) Nigeria Police Force and former Commissioner of Police, CP Abayomi Akeremale ( RTD) has added a new feather to his cap, this time round not in the Police Force where his sterling quality as a Super cop made him shine like a glowing star, but at the Methodist Cathedral in his country home, Okitipupa as he was unveiled as ‘ Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo’ a patriarchal church title that endows him with leadership responsibility among the men of the Cathedral.
The investiture, a high octane colorful church event held on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 at Methodist Cathedral, Okitipupa as His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Oluwagbenga Fafeyiwa, Archbishop/Bishop of Igbobini, Bishop Atanda Adewale, Bishop Riye Diocese, Bishop Kola Osunjuyigbe of Akure Diocese, Bishop Ajiboye, Ibadan Diocese ( who once served at Diocese of Igbobini) and others officiated .
The Cathedral was full to the brim as guests from far and near were on ground to identify with and celebrate Chief Akeremale Abayomi and others who were unveiled as titled church chiefs.
Among the guests at the church service were Otunba Nimbe Ayenuyo, CP Adetuyi ( Rtd), Pastor Segun Ayerin, Hon. Niyi Adebusoye, Evang. Sunday Adegoke, Archdiocesan Lay President, Sir. Omotehinse, High Chief Igbekele Akeremale, Petu Idepe- Okitipupa, Barr. Morebise and others.
Archbishop Fafeyiwa, the host and number 1 priest of the Archdiocese of Igbobini in his goodwill charge congratulated the new church chiefs , while praying God to bless them with good health and robust energy to handle the new responsibilities in their charge, assuring them of the support of both the clergy and the laity. He expressed his profound gratitude to all his brother Bishops and priests who made the occasion and specially appreciated the laity for their support for the growth of the Cathedral.
In his sermon, The Lord Bishop of Riye Diocese comprising Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba, Right Revd Atanda Adewale noted that it is only good people of appreciable value and worth that are singled out for Chieftaincy titles in the town or in the church, stressing that to be decorated as Church titled Chief is even more noble and more honorable as it shows that the honorees are specially recognized by God.
While quoting from 1st Chronicles Chapter 29, Bishop Adewale said the new church chiefs should take their time to ask themselves who they are and their standing before God for Him to have decided on them as the best to function in their new titles in the Diocese. He said, no doubt they are good people as their antecedents both in the society and the church clearly indicated, hence the new responsibilities the church of God has thrusted upon them.
The Bishop therefore tasked them to see their main responsibiliy as being loyal to God Almighty who has called them to service in the vineyard.
Giving a social instance, Bishop Adewale said in 1989 when John Henry Sunonuh, a former United States Governor became Chief of Staff to President G. Bush, Pressmen asked him how he hoped to cope with the huge responsibilities of his new office and in his response, he told them his sole responsibility was to just one President, his Principal and US President. ” I therefore charge you today to see yourselves as people called by God and to him alone at all times must you be loyal as you will give account to God and not man,” Bishop Atanda maintained.
The investiture featured liturgical prayers of the Methodist Church, the Eucharist and Communion and Thanksgiving by the church chiefs, their family and friends.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the chiefs to the congregation after which they were officially placed on their seats in the Cathedral as coordinated by Most Rev Fafeyiwa.
The unveiled titled church Chiefs are Sir Dr. Wole Olakunde , Chief Barr Abayomi Akeremale, Chief Mrs. Iyabo Olajobi,Olori Funke Obolo and Mrs. Orisasanpe.
Reception and entertainment of guests who came to celebrate with Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo, Chief Barr. Abayomi Akeremale followed at his residence in Okitipupa where the Idepe born Retired Commissioner of Police treated his guests to some sumptuous delicacies.
In an exclusive chat with thepolity.net, the Retired CP noted that he was grateful to God to have been chosen out of the plethora of men in the Cathedral for the church title, stressing that he will take the new title as a way of giving back to God his time, his resources and his all.
He said he was surprised when he was informed, ” It came to me as a pleasant surprise when I was notified but what can I do? For me, it has always been God first at all times and God’s grace saw me through my career in the Police; so now at retirement if God sees that even at my age , I am still bubbling with good health and He wants me to work in his vineyard, I will accept it with joy. You remember The Bible says it is good to be in The House of God than to be found in unholy company. So to me , the title is a good one and I am happy God has considered me worthy to still be active for him in my old age,” Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo Methodist Cathedral, Chief Barr. Abayomi Akeremale enthused.
