The memory of the pioneer Bishop of the Anglican diocese of Lagos West, Bishop Peter Awelewa Adebiyi was relived by some notable priests and laity of the Anglican communion on Saturday April 25 at the public presentation of his biography, titled, My name is Peter..’ .
A foundation, Bishop Adebiyi Foundation was also instituted to support theological education in Nigeria along with the book presentation
The book which is about 320 pages was written by veteran journalists, Mr Dare Babarinsa and Mr. Wole Adeyemo. It was reviewed at the event by the Bishop of Ilesha Diocese of the church, The Rt Rev Prof Dapo Asaju.
Bishop Adebiyi retired as bishop of the diocese in 2013 and died on February 10 2022 at the age of 78. He was a notable bishop of the Anglican communion who made great impact both in the Church and Nigeria.
Remarks by attendees
The public presentation of the book attracted notable Nigerians including the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Fayemi and former Chairman of Nestle Nigeria pLc Chief Segun Oshunkeye.
Many of the attendees described the later Bishop Adebiyi as a great theologian who was passionate about the progress of the priests working under under him. He was said to have encouraged many of them to return back to school for their post graduate studies.
Oshunkeye who served as the chairman of the event talked about the great role Adebiyi played in creating a firm foundation for the diocese of Lagos West. He recalled all his sacrifices at the early stage of the diocese and how he laboured impacting lives.
Bishop James Odedeji
In his remarks at the event, the incumbent Bishop of the diocese, The Rt. Rev James Odedeji who took over from Bishop Adebiyi recalled how the late Bishop comported himself and how he literally sacrificed his life for the progress of the church..
Being part of his team before the mantle of leadership fell on him, Odedeji said, he was initially worried that it would be difficult to carry on the great work he started.
He however testified that God has enabled the diocese to sustain the legacy of the late Bishop in many ways and that the diocese has made appreciable progress building on the foundation Bishop Adebiyi laid.
Kayode Kayemi
The former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi described Bishop Adebiyi as a quintessential Ekiti indigene who was committed to the progress of his home state.
He brought to remembrance the day Bishop Adebiyj was attacked by armed robbers adding that the attack did not stop him from doing good and impacting more lives.
In his remark at the event, the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Ayodeji Akinwale Fagbemi said Bishop Adebiyi was one of the best bishops in the world.
Fagbemi who was represented at the event by Rev Bunmi Aladegbemi said Bishop Adebiyi was committed to theological education and invested a lot in the education of priests.
Late Adebiyi’ s son
Canon Adedayo Adebiyi, son of the Late Bishop Adebiyi, gave an account of why his father had so much passion for education. He recalled how he was almost denied of Western education while also noting that he was passionate about training future leaders when he was alive.
He said the foundation was established to ensure that the dream he had for training future leader is sustained..
Book review
The high point of the event was the review of, My Name is Peter, an intimate biography of Bishop Awelewa Adebiyi.
In the course of the review, Bishop Asaju recounted the great work Bishop Adebiyi did while noting that the authors did a great job documenting his life and times .
According to Bishop Asaju, knowledge that is not documented will perish. He noted that many people have been forgotten because there are no documentations about them. ‘but the case of Bishop Adebiyi is not so because with this book, his life is ever present before us.’
He recalled the many contributions of Bishop Adebiyi to the Anglican Communion including how he stood against the canonisation of gay marriage in the Global West of the Anglican Communion.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Toyin Okeowo said the late Bishop Adebiyi was instrumental to the survival of Ajayi Crowther University adding that without his commitment, the university would not have seen the light of the day..