A Short History of the Growth of Christianity in Akoko Edo Diocese
To begin with Imeri and Okpe are generally regarded as the gate ways of Christianity in Akoko Edo, for these two towns, were the first where Christianity was accepted in the whole Division.
In the year 1908 Christianity came to Okpe through Mr. Agbi a trader who brought Yoruba book called ABD to the people. His early converts were his younger brother Late Pa Elempe, the father of Mrs J.L.O. Dania and Madam Hannah Ajomo, the mother of the Late Archdeacon Ajomo. They gathered early converts in a private house to hold Sunday services, they went from village to village Igarra, Otuo, Ikao, Okpella to hold services, built small churches and Elempe was popularly called Apostle and Madam Hannah Ajomo was a woman Evangelist.
In 1910 the station at Okpe was officially opened and late Pa Olayemi from Afuze was sent to Okpe as the first Catechist the posting was done at Saboginda-Ora by Rev’d Akingben who was the vicar in charge of Sabongida-Ora and its area. Catechist Olayemi was replaced by late Pa Ohiwere as the next Catechist (the father of Juge Ohimere) The father of late Bishop Oni George was one of those who led Evangelical Campaign team several times to Okpe, Igarra and others villages in this area. One Yoruba lyrics by the team which became a household song at Okpe goes like this "Lle Mo Jeka Dide, Notori Orun Ti Goke".
A Cathecist posted to Igarra was one Mr. Ojo who was paid from Okpe. The early converts at Igarra were Samuel Jamgbadi, the 1st Babaegbe, Mr. Okerore, Daniel Ogbodo, Joseph Lawani, Pa Ajiboye Amunega, Olowojoba, Johanna Folake Iya Ijo Madam Kabba Olowojoba, 1st Iyaegbe, Modupe Apeji Rhoda Gomina ,Iyalode Madam Dorcas Ajiboye Majekobaje.
Mr. Ojo, the Catechist and Pa Jamgbadi were persecuted by the heathen, they both ran away to Okpe but the persecution was extended to members of the Church. they suffered all sorts of deprivation of personal liberty and denial of right of freedom to worship in Igarra and in many other villages and towns in Akoko-Edo Archdeaconry It was custom among the heathens in those days to regard twin babies and their mothers as strange beings who ought not to live and so they were murdered. But the Church stood firmly and successfully against barbarous and callous practice and God gave the church power to see persecution eradicated.
In 1916 the Christian Church gained a footing in Ibillo and the first Resident Church Worker was Mr. E. Alli. In 1926 some of the earliest converts were Joshua Akande, Elisha Ajomoh, Paul Ojo, Gabriel Omotoriogun, C. Ashaka, J.A. Atari, and David Akerejola -Babaegbe
In 1913, the Church at Lampese was founded and the first Resident worker was E.T. Jaiya in 1920. The earliest converts were Samuel Olegbeye, Gabriel Atunu,Agbi, Michael Akerebe, Babaegbe, Elijah Oloruntoba Ajulo, David Dongo, Deborah Ojo Pagogo.
In 1914, the church at Ikiran Ile was founded, the worker was Mr. S.O. Orhewere, the earliest converts numbered eleven (II). In 1912 St Michael's Somorika was founded by Pa Samuel Jamgbadi. The first Church worker was S.O Olowosegbe. Early converts were Ruth Adebisi, Joshua Ijeneme, Mr Omoyemi was the first Lay reader.
In 1923 Aiyegunle was opened to Christianity faith and worker was M.A. Ohiorhenuan. Christianity was introduced to Ayanran and Ikiran Oke about the same time; the first workers were Alegbeleyeand J.E. Arogundade respectively.
The church at ugboshi Afe had Mr. S.I. Otogbai as the workers and early converts were Pa longe, Aiyedun, Odele and ten others, Ugboshi Ele had M.A. Aiyegbusi as the Church Worker while the early converts were about twenty.
Through these workers and early Evangelist (Ajinherere) like Pa Samuel Jamgbadi J.B. Ojenomo, J.A. Adewole B.C. Ogunsakin, Makeke, Ekpedo, Ikpeshi accepted Christianity. By 1926 Christianity started to have form roots in all corners, thus the Glory of God shone through His son Jesus Christ throughout the length and breadth of Akoko-Edo land. Bishop and Mrs D.R. Oyebode, Rev'd M.O. Awosika , Venerable Archdeacon and Mrs L.A. Lenon.
This history of the church in Akoko-Edo will be quite inadequate and incomplete without the magic word or almost legendary personality, known as "Oyebode" The Revd later Bishop. The Revd and Mrs. D.R. Oyebode arrived Igarra, Akoko-Edo Division in 1933 from Fourah Bay College as C.M.S Missionary. By nature and stature Oyebode was a giant but he was not a giant only in body, he was a giant also spiritually, administratively, and in the propagation of the Gospel and course in the exercise of discipline.
His fore-runner, who was posted as the first pastor to Okpe was Revd. M. O. Awosika. Revd. D. R. Oyebode, the Supredent who later became the Bishop was to the rapid expansion of the church, he also followed it with the building of school in the then kukuruku Division of which Akoko Edo was part. Venerable and Mrs L. a Lenon whose seat was at Ikare since 1920 had his jurisdiction extended to part of Kukuruku later known as Afemai in Bendel State; he then supervised Ososo, Lampese, Ibillo which he handed over to Bishop Oyebode. Bishop Oyebode who had his first headquarters at Igarra then became the suprident of the resent Akoko Edo Diocese, Estsako Diocese and present Otuo Archdeaconry which was called Kukuruku Division o Afeimai Division.He later built his headquarters at Auchi.
Between 1916 and 1928 Primary Schools had been established in most of the churches I Akoko Edo. These schools ran classes 1 and 2, Standareds 1-2 while St. Paul’s Okpe, formed in 1914 ran classes to standards 4 (four). Shortly after Revd Oyebode’s arrival he planned to open the Central school in Igarra, the Central School; Igarra, was established in 1937 and run standards 5 and 6.
The educational system in the area was arranged thus: Pupils read classes 1-2 and Standards 1 and 2 in their various village schools. They then proceeded to read Standdards 3 and 4 at Okpe or Ikaran Ile and they fininshed I the central school at Igarra in standard 5 and 6. As time went on many schools in the area were granted permission to run classes to standard 6. Later the famous Central school was abolished and onits place St. Paul’s Grammar school was Revd I Edeki.
At the Diocese of Sabogidda – Ora on its creation comprised the whole of Northern and Central parts of Edo State of Nigeria and the Diocese gave birth to Akoko Edo Diocese on the 14th day of March 2007.
At the Diocesan Board meeting of the Diocese of Sabongidda – Ora held on 31st day of January 2006, the proposal for the creation of the missionary Diocese of Akoko Edo out of the Diocese of Saborgidda Ora comprising, Igarra North, Igarra South, Enwan, Ibillo, Lampese, Ososo and Okpe Archdeaconry to the Diocesan Synod for consideration. At the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion held at Port Harcourt on 14th September 2006 the approval of the Missionary Diocese of Akoko Edo was granted unanimously in exercise of the powers conferred by section 50 of the Constitution of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 1997.
Pursuant of the creation of the said Diocese of Akoko Edo the Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) met at Ibru Center Agbura – Otor on the 11th day of January 2007 and duly elected Venerable Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen, his election was confirmed on 2nd February, 2007 by the Primate. On the 4th day of March, 2007. The Most Revd Peter Jasper Akinola, Archbishop, Metropolitan, and Primate of all Nigeria Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Consecrated Venerable Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen as Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Akoko Edo with those of other 19 Bishop Elect at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, life Camp Gwarinpa, Diocese of Abuja, FCT Abuja. Meanwhile, the growth of the Missionary Diocese of Akoko Edo within the Diocese continued notable with the establishment of six (6) more Archdeaconries and two (2) Missionary Area. Ikiran Archdeaconry, Makeke Archdeaconry, Ugboshi / Aiyegunle Archdeaconry, Ekpedo Archdeaconry, Akoko Edo South Archdeaconry and Ojirami / Akuku Missionary Area.
Comprehensive Developmental Projects
Educational: Anglican Science College Igarra. It was established on September 1999 by the Most Rev. Dr. Albert Aduloju Agbaje ( of Blessed Memory) in the then Saborgidda – Ora Diocese. Upon the creation of Akoko Edo Diocese, Anglican Science College became the property of Akoko Edo Diocese under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen. The College continues to leap beyond boundaries.
Medical / Health
Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Medical Center Ibillo. The Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Medical Center, Ibillo had all the structure with the exception of a mortuary before it was commissioned for use on, The medical center was intended to make health care a means of evangelizing the people.
Akoko Edo Development Service (ADDS) NGO. The aims are to make life meaningful for all and improve the standard of living of Akoko Edo people and also change the orientation towards the Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and windows. It also aim at a pursuit of wholistic HIV/AIDS programs.
Church Growth /Development.
Creation of New Archdeaconries: Namely Ikaran, Makeke, Ugboshi/Aiyegunle, Akoko Edo North, Ekpedo, Akoko Edo South.
Establishment of Mission School
Establishment of Freedom Convention City/ Retreat Center.
Planting of these Anglican Churches
Christ Our Saviours Church, Afekai Igarra
St. Philip’s Church, Igarra
Holy Trinity Church, Igarra
Church of Pentecost, Igarra
Anglican Church, Osho Compound, Igarra
(E) Social – Economic Projects:
1. Establishment of Favour Press.
2. Establishment of Favour Gas Station.
THE ARCHBISHOPS THAT SERVED IN THE DIOCESE : Nil
ECCLESIATICAL PROVINCE AND DURATION : Nil
ARCHIEMENTS OF SUCH ARCHBISHOPS : Nil
BIODATA AND PROFILE: Nil
THE BISHOP THAT SERVED IN AKOKO EDO DIOCESE AND DURATION IN
OFFICE
The Rt. Rev. Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen 14th March 2007 – 29th August, 2022.
The Achievements under Rt. Rev. Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen
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Creation of Sex new Archdeaconries
Establishment of Five New Churches
Establishment of Freedom Convention City/ Retreat Center
Establishment of Favour Press
Establishment of Favour Gas Stations
B. Bio-data and Profile of the Rt. Rev. Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen.
The Rt. Rev. Jolly Ehigiator Oyekpen was born with a physical birth mark on the day of September, 1966 at Iruekpen, Edo State, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Abumere Ighodalo Oyekpen (Both now of blessed memory). He attended elementary school at Ekpoma and Uromi. He went to Annunciation Catholic College Inia (ACC). He attened Bendal State College of Agric Anwai Asaba, Delta State and Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife (Great Ife) 1986 – 1990 Bsc. He proceeded to Immanuel College of theology Ibadan and graduated in 1994 with Diploma in Theology.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Alber Aduloju Agbaje (of blessed memory) Ordained him a deacon in 1994 and in 1995 made him a priest. It was on Saturday April 20th 1996 at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ujoelen – Ekpoma that he got married to his wife Mrs. Victoria Emilomon Oyekpen. He was elected in January 2007, confirmed and consecrated Bishop on 4th March, 2007 in the Church of God to pioneer Akoko Edo Diocese maiden Bishop on the 14th March, 2007.
He departed this world at 8:55 AM on Monday 29th August, 2022 after an unsuccessful surgery at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. He has survivors being a father of four (4) children namely Victory, Joy, Testimony and Praises.
