The Venerable Emmanuel Ariire Kolawole has been installed as the 7th Dean of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos. His inauguration, institution, and induction took place at the church premises on Sunday, July 5.
Also instituted as canons at the event were Revd Canons Tope Fashogbon, Innocent Okonkwo, Lekan Daramola, Samson Ogabi, Michael Fagbemi, Richard Oke and Ibikunle Opeyemi
Many Anglican priests, former deans of the cathedral, and laity—including principal officers of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West—attended the impressive ceremony, which was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Olusola James Odedeji.
In his message at the event, Bishop Odedeji recalled his long-time relationship with the new dean and praised how he had always exemplified good conduct.
Odedeji, who spoke on the theme “God Demands Total Obedience,” described Ven. Kolawole as honest, dogged, and respectful.
Attempt to quit
He, however, recalled how the new dean once became frustrated and wanted to resign from full-time ministry.
”He once came to seek an audience with me while I was serving as the dean,” Bishop Odedeji shared. “We got talking. He told me several things and said to me he was tired and wanted to resign. I was just laughing. I took the letter from him and tore it. After we talked, I took him to the altar, held his hands, and we prayed together for about four hours.”
He continued: “He broke down in tears. I did not know I was going to be a Bishop then. Less than a year later, I was elected Bishop and I appointed him acting Archdeacon of Egbe Archdeaconry. And God used him mightily to transform that place.”
Bishop Odedeji noted that Ven. Kolawole has since made a tremendous impact leading up to his present appointment. He also reminded the congregation how the new dean was posted to Archdeacon Ogunbiyi Memorial Anglican Church against all odds and how he remarkably transformed that parish as well.
While stressing that God demands total obedience from His servants, the Bishop said, “We live at a time when people want to serve God on their own terms. We want to negotiate with God. But the truth is that for a follower of Christ, obedience is not an option. It is proof of a genuine relationship with God. It means allowing the will of God to swallow our own will.”
Odedeji noted that while obedience cannot be forced, it is not always easy to obey God because of the pressure of the flesh. “We find it difficult to obey God because what He asks us to do sometimes may not align with common sense. With God, 1+1 may not be 2. The Bible, however, makes us understand that if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land.”
According to Odedeji, many find it difficult to obey God out of fear of public opinion, citing the example of Pontius Pilate, who, despite finding no fault in Jesus, gave Him up to be crucified to please the crowd.
”People also find it difficult to obey God because of the fear of being persecuted. They are afraid their obedience will lead to negative reactions from people,” he said.
The Anglican Bishop, however, assured the congregation that obedience to God is the ultimate pathway to greatness. “When you obey God fully, your place in His kingdom is guaranteed. It also guarantees fruitfulness in God’s vineyard.”
He identified various types of obedience, highlighting “uncommon obedience,” which he noted Abraham demonstrated when God instructed him regarding his only child, Isaac.
Speaking specifically to the new dean, he urged him to remain focused and avoid distractions.
Noting that many Nigerians are overly “title-centric,” the Bishop concluded, “What should matter more to you is the testimony of a changed life and the desire to make more impact in God’s vineyard, not the title. As humans, we are rarely satisfied with titles; the quest is always there to acquire one after the other. What is truly important is your testimony of impact.”