The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, the Rt Rev James Odedeji, has urged Christians to live out their calling as light of the world. He also called on Nigerian leaders to address the socioeconomic problems plaguing the country.
He made the plea while delivering his charge at the second session of the 9th synod of the diocese.
Bishop Odedeji addressed the Synod on Friday, May 16, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos. But the Synod began on Thursday, May 15, to end on Sunday, May 18.
Hundreds of members of the diocese were in attendance, including dignitaries from across Nigeria and bishops from other dioceses of the communion. The resource persons at the Synod include the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Remo, Rt Rev S.O. Sowale, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, The Rt Rev Ifedola Okupevi, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, The Rt Rev Stephen Fagbemi, Managing Director of Oasis Group Limited, Mr Wale Adegbite and Dr Olutoyin Akande-Ajala.
Just last year, the diocese, which is regarded as one of the leading dioceses of the Anglican Church, celebrated its 25th anniversary with pomp and ceremony.
The 9th Synod, however, turned out to be another time of refreshing and a call for self-awakening among church faithful.
Caption
L:R: Mrs Pheola Cailcrick, Legal Officer, Mr Bambo Adesanya, SAN, Registrar, Mr Samuel Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State governor, and his representative, Chancellor of the Diocese, Hon Justice Opeoluwa Ogunade, President of the Synod and the Lord Bishop Diocese of Lagos West, his wife, Dr Mrs Lydia Kemi Odedeji, Barr. Mrs Omotola Rotimi, representative of Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and Father of the Diocese, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, at the 2nd Session of the 9th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos West held at Archbishop Vining Church Cathedral, GRA lkeja from 15th-18th May, 2025
Beacon of light
Odedeji took time to address the theme of the Synod, Be a beacon of light. He unravelled the inherent meaning of Jesus’ declaration that believers are both the salt and the light of the world.
According to him, the template for living right can be found in Jesus’ sermon on the mount, where he enumerated eight characteristics of a blessed person.
He said, “Jesus used the beatitudes to describe the Christian life with godly characters that flow from within, which can cause a change in the life of unbelievers.
“After describing what should be our characters, Jesus shifts to our mission and value in the world. He uses two metaphors: salt and light, to illustrate our role in society”
Bishop Odedeji then went on to do a clinical exegesis of light and salt while stressing that any believer who does not exhibit the attributes associated with light and salt is of no value in the kingdom.
His words, “Light is essential for vision, guidance and life. In the Bible, light symbolises purity, truth and divine presence. While Jesus is the light, we believers are to reflect the light in the world. By this, Jesus is calling us to live in a way that displays his love, truth and righteousness. This light is not self-produced but comes from a deep relationship with Christ.”
He explained further that Christians shine their light when they put their skill to use, live a life that glorifies God, use their time well, dress well, speak well and have a good sense of stewardship.
As a beacon of light, Odedeji says the believer is to be a person of impact and a light bearer for others to see.
“Until you make a meaningful impact in the world, you are merely surviving, not truly living. Your existence becomes truly purposeful when you are contributing to the greater good. The extent of your usefulness to God is directly tied to the transformative difference you make in the lives of others.” He said.
He pleaded with believers not to hide their identity in the marketplace, adding that they should refrain from the temptation of being corrupted by the world system.
Believers who truly live out their calling according to Odedeji will enjoy God’s peace, victory over the power of darkness and eternal life, among many other things.
Insecurity
Odedeji’s charge touched on the unending insecurity of lives and property in the country. He traced the violence in the land and the persistent bloodletting to poverty, lack of jobs, politics, moral decay and a host of other factors.
Since successive governments have tried to curb the persistent cases of insurgency with little result to show for it, Odedeji called for a non-kinetic approach to the menace.
He also called on the government to dig deeper into the Uromi killing of 16 Northerners and the incessant attacks on Edo and some other states of the country to find a lasting solution to the undue loss of lives.
The parlous state of the educational system also got the Bishop’s attention. He commended the government for ending the cycle of strikes in higher institutions. He however, lamented the increasing rate of out-of-school children, particularly in the North of Nigeria due to insecurity, poverty and ignorance of parents.
Quoting Unicef’s data of 18.3 million Nigerian children that are out of school, Odedeji said, “If there is any sector where a state of emergency should be declared, if a state of emergency were to be declared in some sectors, the education sector should take priority”
President of Synod and Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, The Rt Revd Dr James Olusola Odedeji, his wife, Dr Mrs Lydia Odedeji and former Dean Emeritus and former bishop of Lagos at the 2nd Session of the 9th Synod of the Diocese held yesterday at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA lkeja
Politics
On politics, he lamented the come and chop syndrome that has characterised the political space, noting that until Nigeria has strong institutions, it may never get out of being ruled by the wrong persons.’
He suggested that the country’s bicameral legislative system should be jettisoned for a unicameral system. He also called on the present government to call for a referendum from all regions through their houses of parliament, where the future of Nigeria will be discussed.
Rather than continuing with the presidential system of government, Odedeji called for a parliamentary system where power is devolved to the regions.
On the economy, the Anglican Bishop commended the government for the positive indices in the last couple of months, including growth in the GDP, stable exchange rate, inflation, and lending rate moderation.
He, however, noted that there are many lapses in the economy bothering on the nation’s high debt profile, the tax evasion by some segments of the society and over reliance on oil. According to him, if Nigeria continues depending on oil as its major source of foreign earning the economic future will be gloom.
Bishop Odedeji also observed that the health sector, the power sector should be given more attention while also identifying many of the positive developments in the sectors.
On Lagos State, Odedeji observed that there has been tremendous improvement in the state as a result of the astute leadership of Governor Babatunde Sanwoolu. He, however, urged the state to be on its guard, not to allow political instability adding that the three arms of government in the state must be seen to work together for the overall greatness of the state.
The church leader urged Nigerians to nurture the 26-year-old unbroken democratic rule while observing that democracy is still the preferred choice of the majority.
At the Synod, the Bishop itemised several positive developments within the diocese, which include the skill development centre, where interested young people are trained in different skills. He also talked about the great strides in all the schools within the diocese and the efforts of individuals like Chief Segun Osunkeye, who gave scholarships to some students in the diocese
