Anglican Communion consecrates broadcaster, five others as Bishops
By Rev.Paul Okwuobi
Six new Bishops –elect including Ven. Foluso Taiwo a popular broadcaster in the then Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State were consecrated at a well-attended church service on Tuesday September 24 in Asaba by The Primate of the Church, The Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh.
Okoh was assisted by other clergymen who officiated at the service which held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Asaba Delta State
The Bishops are: The Rt.Rev Ndubuisi Obi – Diocese of Nnewi, the Rt.Rev . Benjamin C.Okeke – Orlu Diocese, the Rt.Rev.Pirisiola – Lagos Diocese, Rt.Rev . Geoffrey Ibeabuchi -Umuahia Diocese, Rt.Rev . Gbenga Babatunji-Remo Diocese and the Rt.Rev. Foluso Taiwo – Oke Osun Diocese
While delivering the sermon earlier in the service the Most Rev’d. B.C .Okoro, Archbishop and Bishop of the Diocese of Orlu told the newly elected Bishops that their supreme end is to do the will of God. He stressed that they should do more of teaching. He called on them to make use of the different officers of the church and avoid being high handed.
“Look at your clergy as a farmer looks at his farm” he advised the new Bishops, noting that some “clergymen regard ministry as a profession” He however urged them to see priesthood as a vocation “.
Archbishop Okoro observed further that “Bishops are physicians to whom the wounds of the society are taken to for healing.”
While noting that the country has been polluted by the blood of the innocent, he enjoined the new Bishops to speak to authority with love.
Here are facts about them:
The Ven. Foluso Taiwo
He is the Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Oke-Osun. He currently serves at Church of the Holy Cross, Wuye District, Abuja in the Diocese of Abuja. He is to replace Bishop Abraham Akinlalu.
Venerable Foluso Taiwo, who is currently the Director of Communication, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion and the Vicar at Church of the Holy Cross, Wuye District, Abuja.
He is a notable broadcaster, who started his media career since as far back as 1980 at Radio Nigeria, Ibadan, as a freelance journalist and Newscaster before he was fully employed as a Reporter/Editor/Newscaster and HOA correspondent under the Television Service of Oyo State (TSOS).
He grew in his field working in several media outfits such as Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) before he was transferred to Abuja to continue his pastoral ministry. His sign off slogan then at the BCOS was – ‘ikookan laaji, alakala ‘o ni s’eru ba wa oo. K’a sunre ooo.” Meaning…. May we all wake up one by one, may we not be terrified by bad dreams, sleep well
His priestly duty did not in any way affect his media practice. Though he served as a Canon and Archdeacon of the Diocese of Abuja of the Anglican Communion, he remained a media practitioner and was soon made the general manager of Crowther Radio Station; from where he became the Director of Communication and later a newscaster at the Anglican Cable Network Nigeria (ACNN TV).
With his election as Bishop it is certain he may well have to relinquish his media involvement and take on the onerous task of overseeing his diocese.
The Ven. Ndubuisi Obi
He is the Bishop-elect for Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State He is from Nnewichi, Nnewi and is a Venerable at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Federal Housing Estate 3-3, Onitsha in the Diocese on the Niger. He is to replace Archbishop Godwin Okpala.
He was born on December 17, 1965 to Revd. Canon Abel Okwuchukwu and Mrs. Jane Uzoma Obi. He attended Urban Primary and Central School in Nsukka, and Ezechima Primary School, Onitsha from where he proceeded to DMGS, Onitsha. Ven. Ndubuisi ventured into business and spent seventeen years as a businessman in Onitsha.
He has been the Chairman of Choir in St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Omagba-Onitsha. He was at other times in that church, leader of the Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion, Anglican Youth Fellowship leader, and Peoples warden. It was when he was serving as Assistant Zonal Co-ordinator of EFAC, Onitsha Zone that The Rt. Revd. Ken Sandy Okeke, immediate retired Bishop On the Niger sent him to St. Paul’s University College, Awka, for Ordination Training. He was the Students’ Union Government [SUG] President for 2002/2003 session in that school.
Ven. Ndubuisi Obi was made a Deacon in December 2003, and ordained a Priest in 2004. He was preferred a Canon in December 2010, and in December, 2011 His Lordship, The Rt. Revd. Owen C. Nwokolo preferred him an Archdeacon. He is the pioneer Archdeacon of Ascension Archdeaconry Isiafor.
He is happily married to Mrs. Ukamaka Obi and the Union is blessed with four children. He is currently the Chairman of the Directorate for Missions and Evangelism of the Diocese On the Niger.
Very Rev. Benjamin C. Okeke JP
The Very Rev. Benjamin C. Okeke JP is the Bishop-elect for Orlu Diocesen of the Anglican Communion. He currently serves at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Amaigbo in the Diocese of Orlu. He is married to Mrs. Uloma Okeke JP, the Coordinator Prayer Healing and Deliverance Unit in Orlu Diocese. He is to replace Archbishop Benneth Okoro (PhD).
Ven Seyi Pirisola
The Ven. Seyi Pirisola is the Bishop-elect for the Diocese on the coast. its a new diocese in the Anglican Communion. He currently serves at All Soul’s Anglican Church, Lekki in the Diocese of Lagos. He is to replace the late Bishop Ebunoluwa Ogunele. He used to serve as the Public Relations officer of the Diocese of Lagos during the tenure of the then Bishop of Lagos Diocese, The Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo.
The Ven. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi
He is the Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Umuahia Anglican Communion. He currently serves at St. Silas Anglican Church, Old Umuahia in the Diocese of Umuahia. He is to replace Archbishop Ikechi Nwosu.
The Ven. Dr Gbenga Babatunji
He is from Remo Diocese of the Anglican Communion. He is the Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Osun. He currently serves at St. John’s Church, Iyoku Sagamu in the Diocese of Remo. He is to replace Bishop Afolabi Popoola.
Meanwhile The Rt. Rev. Jacob Bada, current Bishop of the Diocese of Etsako has been translated to the Diocese of Akoko in Ondo State. He is to replace Archbishop Gabriel Akinbiyi.