Methodist Church Nigeria Sets To Inaugurate The Diocese Of Ibarapa, Enthrone Bishop, Present Lay President

The Methodist Church Nigeria has concluded plans to hold inauguration ceremony of Ibarapa Diocese on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 by 10:00am at Rev’d. Longley Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Oke-Agogo, Igboora.

The Church has further announced that enthronement of Bishop and presentation of Lay President of the newly created Diocese will also hold concurrently, with Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba JP as the principal officer of the Inauguration Service.

Having been under Diocese of Elekuro since its creation in 2008, Methodist Churches in Ibarapa axis of Oyo State gained autonomy to become Diocese of Ibarapa in November 2024.

According to Mr. Yekeen Sunday Oladimeji, the Chairman of the publicity committee of the inauguration ceremony, Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba and his entourage will arrive Igboora, the headquarters of the new Diocese, on Monday, March 3, for the commissioning of Bishop house at Ore Meji area, Igboora.

On Tuesday, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria will be joined by the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev’d. Dr. Olugbenga O.C Fafeyiwa, JP; Secretary of Conference, Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Babatunde Taiwo, JP and Bishops from various Dioceses of Methodist Church Nigeria for the inauguration of Diocese Of Ibarapa, enthronement of Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Sunday Johnson Funminiyi, JP and presentation of Chief Olufemi Adegbaye Adesope as the Bishop and Lay President respectively.

At the inauguration service, pioneer officers of the Diocese will also be dedicated by the church leaders.

Chairman of the publicity committee also hinted that the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdul-raheem Adebayo Lawal is the Special Guest of Honour, while the service will also be graced by retired prelates of the church, top government functionaries, traditional leaders in Ibarapa land and board of directors.

Circuits and sections under the newly created Diocese of Ibarapa include Igboora Circuit, Idere Circuit, Igangan Circuit, Eruwa Section, Lanlate Section, Oke-Odo section, Iberekodo Section and Lanlate Section, while Rev’d. Longley Memorial Methodist Church Nigeria, Oke-Agogo, Igboora will be the Cathedral of the said Diocese.