Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has elected Ven Godwin Akinwande Odubena as the Bishop of the Ijebu North Diocese of the Church. He is to replace Bishop Solomon Kuponu who died on February 14 at 67. Also elected by the Church are six other bishops and four archbishops.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 13, the Church’s communication officer, Korede Akintunde, disclosed that the elections of the Bishops and Archbishops were conducted during the church’s Episcopal Synod held on Monday, 12th August 2024 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church Maitama, in Abuja.
The elections according to the statement were announced by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba at the end of the Synod.
The other bishops elected are for Jos Diocese – Ven. Ephraim Gongdem, Okigwe Diocese – Ven Dr John Obinali, Enugu Diocese – Ven. Prof Sam IKe and Ahoada Diocese – Ven. Bernard Hanson. Also elected were Ven Titus Alkali for Wusasa Diocese and Ven Samuel Ifeyemi for Osun North Diocese
The Elected Archbishops are those for Enugu Province – Rt. Rev’d Sosthenes Eze, Bishop of Enugu North Diocese, Kwara Province, Most Rev’d Israel Afolabi Amao, Bishop of New Bussa Diocese, Ibadan Province – Rt Rev’d Dr Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese and Lokoja Province — Most Rev’d Daniel Yisa, Bishop of Minna Diocese.
Odubena’s election and that of others have since generated a lot of excitement among many Anglican faithful.
Ernest Ugochukwu Oduh in a Facebook post said he fell in love with Ven Odubena during the consecration and enthronement of the Bishop of the Mainland Diocese of the Church, The Rt Rev Pelu Johnson.
He wrote further, “The Joy in you that day was so real that I told my friend Femi Agbaje that one day very soon this man will become a Bishop. I was just talking from a canal mind though not a prophet. I said if someone can be this happy for a friend then his elevation is just around the corner”
About Odubena
Venerable Odubena was born on March 23rd, 1967 in Ode-Lemo. He became involved with the Anglican Church right from his childhood when he joined the choir at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Sagamu. He was called to ordained ministry in 1987.
This made him pursue theological education at the famous Immanuel College of Theology. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and two master’s degrees from both Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan. He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in 2023 from Asbury Theological Seminary
He started serving in the Anglican Church as a curate at St. Michael’s Church, Epe. He has been vicar in various Lagos churches and Archdeacon in both the Lagos and Eti-Osa Archdeaconries.
Odebena also held the position of Director of the Directorate of Sunday School and Secretary of the Eti-Osa Archdeaconry in the Lagos Diocese. He served as the Head of the Church of Nigeria Writers’ Group, which develops curriculum for young people and Sunday School children within the broader Christian community. He is married to Favour Omobolanle. The union is blessed with three.
Ndukuba on the new Bishops
The Primate, The Most Rev Ndukuba according to the church’s statement prayed that God would grant the newly elected Bishops and Archbishops wisdom, strength, and good health, to pilot the affairs of the people of God in their respective Dioceses and Provinces.
He also urged members of the Church to pray and support them and their families, as they go into their new places of assignments after the due processes, training, and consecration.
The Consecration of the Bishops-elect and the presentation of Archbishops-elect according to the statement will be held on Wednesday 18th of September 2024 during the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church which will be hosted by Nike Diocese in Enugu State.