African Church names first Archbishop, launches developmental funds

To group its dioceses into provinces for easy administration, the African Church has concluded plans to inaugurate the Ibadan province, as well as name Most Revd. Julius Olayinka Abbe as the first Archbishop of the province. Also, the church is to institute the launch of N100million developmental funds for the development of the province during the same programme.

The event, which comes up on April 2 at the Ebenezer Cathedral African Church in Anfani, Ibadan is expected to attract dignitaries from all walks of life, church authorities and members of the church, especially from Oyo, Osun and Kwara dioceses.
The church’s provost, Very Revd. Samuel Oguntuyi, at a press briefing recently at the church premises to announce the activities for the event, said the African Church at its conference in May 2014 decided to group the dioceses into provinces for ease of administration and to also take power to the grassroots.
He explained that since some of the dioceses were offshoots of the Ibadan diocese, it, therefore, becomes easier to group them together to become the Ibadan Province.

According to him, the church is hopeful that the province, upon inauguration, will be empowered as a partner in progress with the state governments of Oyo, Osun and Kwara States, in a bid to eradicate crime and unemployment in the society, as well as inculcate moral values in youths.

“Some dioceses that were offshoots of the Ibadan diocese will form the current Ibadan Province. The six dioceses include: Ibadan, Ikirun, Kwara, Ilorin, Ife/Osogbo and Ijesa,” Oguntuyi said.
The event will be presided over by the Primate of the African Church, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia. The honourable Lay President of the African Church, Evangelist Olubukunola Okunowo and other ministers of God will assist him.