…Sanwo-Olu pledges support at diocese inauguration

By Efe Onodjae 

The newly inaugurated Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Southwest, Rt. Reverend Ebenezer Ajayi Adewole, on Tuesday said the disparity in government presence between some parts of Lagos must end, insisting that the Church under his leadership will actively engage authorities to ensure fair distribution of public services.

Speaking during his enthronement and the formal inauguration of the diocese in Lagos, Bishop Adewole said his early observations revealed that Festac suffers a visible lack of government attention compared to areas such as Ikeja, a situation he vowed the Church would no longer ignore.

“In the few days I’ve stayed in Festac, I have seen that Ikeja is different from Festac,” he said. “The presence of government seems to be more at Ikeja than Festac. That will stop. By the time all of us go to Alausa to knock on the door of government, they will attend to us. Government must hear us.”

Adewole, elected on September 18 2025, and consecrated ahead of the diocese’s inauguration, took one part from Rt. Rev. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, diocese of Lagos West to form the new Lagos South West.

He was formally installed on November 25, 2025, in a ceremony attended by senior clergy, government officials and members of the African Church.

Delivering his inaugural sermon titled “Write the Vision,” the bishop laid out an ambitious blueprint for the new diocese anchored on evangelism, discipleship, community empowerment and strategic engagement with public institutions.

He explained that the mission of the Diocese of Lagos Southwest would be guided by the acronym PAGE; Proclamation of the gospel, Aggressive discipleship, Growth and empowerment of subgroups, and Engagement with government.

According to him, the Church will expand its outreach via rigorous mission work, structured Bible teaching, youth and women empowerment, and the establishment of a justice, peace and community development department to monitor and address local challenges.

Bishop Adewole also emphasised that the Church’s message must be matched by the character of its members. “If you duped me yesterday, you cannot bring the gospel to me today,” he cautioned, calling for believers who embody faith, holiness and charity.

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the inauguration as a “divinely orchestrated milestone” and assured the Church of the administration’s partnership in strengthening community development, youth empowerment and social stability.

He congratulated Bishop Adewole and lauded his reputation for “integrity, scholarship and pastoral strength,” assuring the diocese of the state government’s partnership in community-building and social development.

“As a state, our prayers and support are with you,” she said. “Your calling is affirmed by God and His Church. We are confident that your leadership will promote spiritual growth, youth development and stronger community structures.”

The inauguration marks the beginning of a new chapter for the African Church in Lagos, with expectations that the Diocese of Lagos Southwest will emerge as a hub of evangelism, social engagement and transformational leadership under Bishop Adewole.