The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, The Rt. Rev. Olusola Odedeji, has again raised the alarm about the state of insecurity in the country, warning that the government cannot afford to allow non-state actors to take over the nation.
He gave the warning at the 2026 priesthood ordination of the diocese on Sunday, June 28.
The event, which took place at the Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church in Gowon Estate, Lagos, attracted priests and laity from across the diocese.
About 19 ordinands were ordained as priests, including four from the Awori Diocese. Bishop Odedeji is also the supervisory bishop of the Awori Diocese.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Rt. Rev. Odedeji lamented the alarming rate of insecurity, urging government at all levels to continue to step up their efforts by utilizing modern technology.
”The people perpetrating these heinous crimes are daily upscaling their activities along with their sponsors; hence, there is also a need to step up our efforts so as to always be ahead of them,” Odedeji said.
He added that the government cannot afford to rest on its oars and allow non-state actors to subjugate the country. “The government has all the machinery at its disposal to deal with these people. They should act. The increasing rate of insecurity is becoming scary.
”Many are scared of traveling these days because they don’t know what will happen to them on the road. We can’t continue to allow this in a country where there is a government. By all means, we are pleading with the government to take the bull by the horns and arrest these drifts.”
The message
Earlier during the ceremony, the Retired Anglican Bishop of the Awori Diocese, Rt. Rev. Johnson Atere, in his sermon, urged pastors and church workers to prioritize their relationship with God if they want to have an enduring ministry.
Bishop Atere, who took his message from 1 Timothy 4:16, emphasized the need for the newly ordained priests to give priority to their fellowship and devotional life. He stressed that the first responsibility of a pastor is to take heed to himself.
He said, “The order of ministry is for the priest to first take heed to himself. A priest who loses his integrity, spiritual life, and doctrinal soundness becomes a danger to himself and the church he pastors.”
The first responsibility of a priest, according to Bishop Atere, “is not programmes or organizing meetings. These are good, but what should be of primary concern is your relationship with God.”
Jesus prayed
He noted that despite the status of Jesus as God Himself, proceeding from the Father, He still spent quality time praying. “If Jesus could pray, why would a priest spend morning hours without fellowship with God?” he asked.
Personal integrity
Bishop Atere, who retired recently as a Bishop of the Anglican Communion, gave examples of notable Bible characters like Moses, whose private lives shaped their public ministry. He added that apart from a priest’s devotional life, strict attention must be given to a lifestyle devoid of corruption and immorality.
”It is important that you pay attention to your character. People may not remember your message long after you are gone, but they will not forget how you lived your life.”
He asked how many priests could say, like Samuel, that they defrauded no man, adding: “A priest should take heed to himself and live according to his calling. His life must reflect Christ. Our lives speak louder than our messages.”
Bishop Atere also warned the newly ordained priests against dishonesty and sexual sin. “People will always describe you by the life you live. You need to pay attention to your conduct,” he warned.
Family matters
He pleaded with them to prioritize their families as well. “Give attention to your family; that is your first congregation. You must take care of your household. Many have built churches but lost their families. Your congregation will lose confidence in you if your home is in disarray. The worst mistake any priest can make is to marry the wrong spouse. If your home is not settled, you will have problems with the congregation.”
In rounding up his message, he urged the priests to study and guard the doctrine of the church, stressing that the Anglican Church draws its strength directly from the Bible.
”Preach the word,” he stated. “I plead with you to preach the word. Many of the false teachings we have today have demonic origins. Preach the word. Let the word of God be your guide, and let it be the emphasis of your message.”