Governor Babajide Olusola Aduragbemi Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has felicitated the newly consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Bishop Ifedola Okupevi for being the first indigenous Lagosian to occupy the seat of the Diocesan Bishop.

The elated governor expressed his happiness at the development while giving his goodwill message to the newly elevated cleric during the consecration service at the Bishop Vining Anglican Cathedral, Ikeja GRA, Lagos on Sunday, August 27, 2023.

The governor who was ably represented by his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-olu, appreciated the echelon of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria for the grace of the decision.

He also recalled nostalgically the good deeds of the deceased former Bishop and Missioner of the Diocese, Most Revd Humphrey Olumaikaye.


_{^{The Erstwhile Bishop and Archbishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Dr Ephraim Adebola Ademowo OON and Mama Oluranti Ademowo and Erstwhile Deputy Governor of Lagos and former Senior SpecialAssitant to the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Princess Dr Victoria Adejoke Orelope Adefulire OFR and her husband Chief Abiodun Adefulire with the newly consecrated Bishop of Lagos The Rt Rev’d Ifedola Okupevi and wife Mrs Modupe Okupevi after the consecration service at Archbishop Vinning MemorialChurch Cathedral , Ikeja.}}


On his part, the Most Revd Joseph Akinfenwa, the Anglican Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, charged Bishop Okupevi and three other bishops who were also consecrated at the service not to see their callings and elevation as a personal achievement. Rather, Akinfenwa enjoined them to see the assignment as a challenge and a call into service, not only of God but also of humanity.

“This assignment is a divine recruitment. If they make you bishop, take it as a challenge, not an achievement. From today, erase the word achievement from your file. Take this call as a service, not a call to come and chop. It is a call to serve your Lord. It is not for enjoyment and pomposity of office.

"By now I am sure people would have been congratulating you. You must have received all kinds of visitors. Even as we talk now, some people are preparing for the celebration. I am not saying it is wrong to celebrate but look beyond the celebration, look beyond the merriment. There is work to be done. There are souls to be saved.

“Those leading the church can’t be preaching monarchical episcopacy. Our episcopate has to be pastoral, it has to be evangelical, it has to be apostolic.” ; the frank senior cleric charged the Church.

Akinfenwa also cautioned the clergy not to grow swollen heads for being addressed as ‘Lords’ “Even if they call us lord Bishop, be careful. We should not be acting as Lords and lording over the people we are supposed to serve. We can’t be bishops, archbishops and be commanding people to bring us tributes”

He said “The primary purpose of any church is to preach the gospel and win souls. Any church that seeks to please the Lord must prioritize soul winning.”



The three others who were consecrated along with Okupevi at the hallowed service were Bishops Collins Babalola for Ajayi Crowther Diocese, Festus Nwafili for Ndokwa Diocese and Ebenezer Saiki for Akoko-Edo Diocese. The quadruplet is elevated from The Venerable level.

Others present at the event include the Dean-elect, The Most Rev (Dr.) Blessing Enyindah, two Archbishops-elect; The Most Revd (Dr.) Michael Fape of Remo Diocese for Lagos Province and The Rt. Rev’d Timothy Yahaya of Kaduna Diocese for Kaduna Province.


_{^{Concerted shower of consecrated prayers for the newly consecrated Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Ifedola Gabriel Okupevi}}

The event was also graced by the dignifying presence of Church Prelates their numbers, among whom were: the erstwhile Bishop and Archbishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, OON, The Primate of West African Church, Ghana, The Most Revd. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the Primate of African Church Nigeria, The Most Revd Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe, Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Archbishops and Bishops.

Others were Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, (former governor of Ogun State), Erstwhile deputy governor of Lagos State and former Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Dr Victoria Adejoke-Orelope Adefulire, and her husband, Chief Abiodun Adedulire, Learned Silk and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, OFR, CFR, Captains of Industries, Officers of the Armed Forces among others.