L-R: Former Governor of Western State, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (Rtd); Governor Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, during "An Afternoon of Tributes" in honour of the late Most Rev. Abiodun Adetiloye, in Ado-Ekiti.
Tributes poured in torrents at a special afternoon of tributes held in honour of the late Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Revd. Abiodun Adetiloye, in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, even as the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, described the late cleric as the country’s version of Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Fayemi spoke just as former Governor of Old Western State, General Adeyinka Adebayo; former Governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Nicolas Okoh, friends and family members of the late Adetiloye paid glowing tributes to the deceased at the event which took place at the famous Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti.
Governor Fayemi who equated the leadership style and forthrightness of the late Primate with Bishop Tutu of South Africa, said Bishop Adetiloye’s leadership style should be emulated by Nigerians.
Dr. Fayemi who narrated the influence of the late Primate on students of the Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, while he was still serving at the Ekiti Diocese of the Anglican Church, also recalled the roles played by Adetiloye during the “dark years of military rule”; saying that he was bold to speak truth to the military dictators and was often called the NADECO Bishop.
He also recalled a protest during his studentship at Christ School, which he said took the intervention of Adetiloye before it was resolved.
Governor Fayemi added that Nigerians must continue to pursue the values of integrity and humility which the late Primate represented.
In his remarks, General Adebayo (rtd) said his relationship with the late Adetiloye dated back to 1942 adding that the roles he played in ending the popular Agbekoya war cannot be over-emphasized.
Adebayo added that he was able to instill the Christian values in the Army when he was Chief of Staff through the support given by the late Primate; stressing that he “cannot and will forget him.”
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Okoh and the Bishop of Lagos West Diocese of the Church, Bishop Peter Adebiyí described Adetiloye as the “Touch Bearer” of evangelism in the Church as he stood against all forms of immorality and occultism.
Others speakers at the event including his friends, Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Biodun Ogunleye and Chief Bamidele Falegan described Adetiloye as an ardent believer, legend and an honest man.
In his own tribute, Mr Adeola Adetiloye, first son of the late Primate said late Adetiloye was a man who dedicated his life to the course of the gospel and was a loving and courageous father.
At the event were the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, former Supreme Court Justice, Justice George Oguntade; the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, and Bishop Christopher Omotunde among others.
Last modified: January 24, 2013