BISHOP of the Diocese of Oyo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Right Reverend Dr Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on how his path changed from the court to the pulpit, Buhari’s administration in the past three years and youths in top government positions.
Journey into the ministry
To God be the glory, I got the call into the ministry in 1984 and around 1985, I got admission into the Immanuel College of Theology, and I was there between 1985 and 1988. I was made a deacon in 1988, and in 1989, I became a full priest. In 1997, I was made a canon, and in 1999, I became an archdeacon. After working for a while in the parish, I decided to lecture at the Archbishop Vining College of Theology in Ondo State and I was there between 2004 and 2011. In 2011, I was appointed Dean of Ezekiel College of Theology, Ekpoma, Edo State. I was there between June 2011 and August 2014, when I was elected bishop. I have been Bishop of Oyo since September 24, 2014, till date, to God’s glory.
You said you were called in 1984. What convinced you that it was time to join the ministry?
When God calls, the desire and intent will be like a burden until one accepts. That was how it was and I had no option but to answer the call, even though that was not my initial plan. I actually wanted to be a lawyer, but today, I think I am an advocate for Christ and that is in order.
Last Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not Too Young to Run bill, but said they should wait till 2023 before contesting. Do you think youths are not ready for governance?
The youths are ready to lead, but for me, I think we must be careful. Asking somebody as young as 30 to contest for presidency of a country like Nigeria, may be playing to the gallery. There is need for maturity. Aside education, which can be attained early, the person also needs experience to govern. They can contest for other offices though. We have to exercise some restraint. Even 25 for a legislator, I think that is too early. What interactive experience would that person have got at 25, such that he or she can make laws for everyone? I may be wrong, but I feel we should look at it very well. Besides, I know the person may not be exactly that age anyway. Certainly, we have young ones, who are knowledgeable and mature in mind, because sometimes, maturity is not necessarily something of age.
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President Buhari, in his Democracy Day speech, said Nigerians reported less use of generators. Take your diocese, for instance, has this been the case in the past three years?
I think the statement is just political, because so many people rely on the use of generators. In fact, for some people, PHCN is the standby, while generators provide the main source of electricity. In so many places, generators are on for as much as 18 hours per day. For us, in Oyo, however, we enjoy 60 to 70 per cent supply of PHCN electricity, but I am sure that is not the standard everywhere. There are places that have not accessed PHCN electricity for years. So, that statement is political, not forgetting that we are driving towards 2019 elections.
As we approach 2019, what is your advice for Christians?
I’ll advise Christians to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), because that is how we can exercise our right to vote, if they will allow our votes to count. I’ll also advise Christians to create time to vote. Electing people is not necessarily only about prayers, because votes will count too. Every Christian should endeavour to exercise their civil right to elect leaders.
Activities for the synod
The synod will take place between Thursday, June 7 and Sunday, June 10, 2018 at St. James’ Anglican Church, Owode, Oyo. On Thursday, Bishop Olukemi Oduntan of Ajayi Crowther Diocese will preach at the opening service; on Friday, the official opening will take place during which the bishop’s charge will be read; there will be plenary sessions on Friday and Saturday, while on Sunday, Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University and Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop Professor Dapo Asaju, will preach at the closing service, which will also feature presentation of awards. The theme for this year’s synod is I Will Build My Church.
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