The pioneer Bishop of the Anglican Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, the Right Revd Dr Olufemi Familoni, has rolled out his vision for the diocese just as he urged government to give priority to rural areas inorder to curb rural-urban migration..
His vision for the diocese was contained in his address at the one-day synod of the newly inaugurated diocese, held at the Cathedral Church of St John, Akinmoorin, Oyo State on Friday December 19.
The synod was held with the theme “Behold, I will do a new thing.”
Diocese’s vision
Talking on his vision, he said the diocese will focus on empowering rural people and giving them sustainable means of support, so they can remain productive within their communities.
He explained that the diocese’s goal is to build a Christ-centred, Spirit-filled and mission-driven church committed to the proclamation of the gospel.
This vision, he said, would be pursued through evangelism, outreach programmes, structured liturgical worship, and the empowerment of both clergy and lay ministers.
Need for govt support
The Bishop pleaded with the government to support the effort of the diocese in making life better for rural dwellers by providing basic amenities and infrastructure that will encourage youths to stay back and contribute to local development..
Familoni emphasised the need for the development of the welfare of people living in rural communities, warning that neglect could fuel rural-urban migration and trigger humanitarian challenges
He noted that the absence of basic social infrastructure in rural areas often forces people, particularly young people, to migrate to cities in search of better opportunities.
This trend according to him, weakens productivity in rural communities and slows broader socio-economic development.
The synod featured among other things the unveiling of the diocese’s official logo, and the appointment of chaplains and other church officers.