By Adebayo Olodan
No fewer than 20 students across tertiary institution, secondary and
primary schools are presently benefitting adopt-a-child programme of
the Igbomina West Diocese of Anglican Communion, Irepodun Local
Government Area of Kwara State.
Speaking with newsmen as part of activities marking the 10th
anniversary of the diocese at the Cathedral of St James, Iludun Oro
last Friday, the Diocesan Bishop, Rev. Jide Adebayo, said the
programme, launched in 2016, had enabled the mission partners to adopt
a child and train him or her without knowing the child.
Speaking on various projects and empowerment programmes of the
diocese,ย Rev. Adebayo said under its missionary schools programme,
new schools have been established at Ilala and Sanmora with adult
education classes which are practically free.
Speaking further, the cleric, stated that the church is committed to
missionary outreaches, discipleship and evangelism, added that,
โtogether with the women’s and girl’s organisations, we embark on
medical outreaches in markets throughout the diocese as a means of
evangelismโ.
He added that the diocese had recorded landmark achievements in the
last 10 years, adding that 10 additional churches were planted and
population of priests increased to 23, nine lay evangelists, while 13
churches are at different stages of completion.
โSimilarly, a 500-capacity multi-purpose hall is being undertaken by
the women organisation, while a multi million naira hostel project is
going on in Ilorin, the state capital. We also established a post
primary institution, named Anglican Unique College. In conjunction
with the women organization, we established a piggery, cassava
plantation and processing mill, palm kernel cracker and a women
charity shopโ he said, adding that the proceeds from the charity shop
is channeled towards providing scholarships to university students,
secondary and primary school pupils.
Reverend Adebayo identified funding as major challenge of the diocese,
saying that the diocese is also facing challenges of accommodation for
priests because of inadequate vicarages.
โThe priests and pastors are working under difficult conditions due to
inadequate income. This situation scares new workers away as they rush
to richer dioceses. Our structure is such that most of the people who
reside in the diocese are elderly and the youth who need our supportโ,
he said.
