The Right Revd. Dr. Johnson
Akinwamide Atere, was one of the Bishops that were consecrated as Bishops of
the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) on May 18th, 2008 at
Cathedral Church of St. James’, Okebola, Ibadan, Oyo State. He was sent to
pioneer the newly created Missionary Diocese of Awori, Ota, the industrial hub
of Ogun State then.
Before his election as the
Bishop in the year 2008, Bishop Akin Atere was a lecturer at Archbishop Vinning
College of Theology, Akure, Ondo State. He was once a teacher before he finally
answered to God’s call in 1984. The editorial team of the Diocese recently
cornered him at his Court on certain issues, here is the excerpt.
Well, I am the Rt. Revd.
(Dr.) Johnson Akinwamide Atere, by divine permission and the grace of God, the
Lord Bishop, the Diocese of Awori, Otta, Ogun State. I was born some
sixty-three years ago at a place called Oka-Akoko, Ondo State. My parents name
were Mr. Zacheaus Teso and Mrs. Olufunke Atere. Though, I was brought up by my
maternal grandmother, I started my primary education at St. Johns Anglican
Primary School, Oka-Akoko, I also attended Modern School from the same town, By
the grace of God, I was one of those who had the privilege of attending
teacher’s training college during free education era at Owo, Ondo State.
I worked for some years and
during the course of my teaching, I sat for WAEC and passed all my papers that
also qualified me to teach in Secondary School, from there, I gained admission
into Immanuel College of Theology in 1984 and graduated in 1987. I was posted
to Lagos Diocese, from there; I had direct entry into University of Lagos later
I was at the University of Ibadan for my Second degree.
I must sincerely appreciate
my uncle, Chief Titus Ayewumi, who took care of all my education from primary
to Seminary. He was a teacher
What led you to the pulpit?
Yes, for anyone to be on the
pulpit, there must be a call, is not just that I want to be a pastor or
Reverend. In my own case, it was unexpected, because I never dreamt of becoming
a pastor. I ran away from it. All my ambition was to be a graduate teacher.
Recalled, I told you that I started teaching immediately I finished from
teacher’s training college. I taught at Ifira-Akoko for four years, posted to
my former primary school, St. Johns, Oka-Akoko. Initially, my ambition in life
was to pursue my career in order to be a better teacher. With this, I started
writing JAMB, but what amazed me most was that, those that copied from me
during the examination passed their papers, but I would failed. I can share the
testimony anywhere.
Although, I have a gift of
pastoring and that was identified at my youthful age. I joined the choir of my
church at age of three, joined the boys brigade the same year, grew up under my
maternal grandmother who loved the church and Christ. She introduced me to the
church, infact, I spent my youthful age in the vineyard. I grew up to be a
Choirmaster, Boys brigade Captain, Pastor’s Warden, Secretary to the Parish
Church Council. I never wanted to be a pastor, so each time there was a
selection conference within the Archdeaconry or Diocese, I will run away, I did
this for many years. I give credit to my grandmother and late Ven. Rufus
Ayejoto, the father of Ven. Chris Ola Ayejoto, who on Easter Sunday, when every
selection process had been concluded, looked for an old form, gave it to me and
said I should go and see Bishop Akeredolu at the Cathedral Church of St.
Stephen, Ikare-Akoko because Bishop must worship at the Cathedral that day
being an Easter Sunday. I was not happy, but I had another thought that the
Bishop would not answer me because the selection had been concluded. I also had
beard which I knew will even be one of the things to disqualify me. So, when I
got to Ikare, I met the Bishop and I mentioned to him that I was from Ven.
Ayejoto, he didn’t even say anything because Ven. Ayejoto was one of the
respected Archdeacons then, and the Bishop collected the form from me and
signed it and said I wish you all the best. Another amazing thing was that all
the forms had been taken to Ibadan so I had to take the form to Ibadan
personally.
I met the Registrar- the Ven.
Akinlalu, I mentioned to him that I was from Ven. Ayejoto, immediately he heard
that name, the Registrar just signed the form and registered my name, that was
how I became a student of Immanuel. It was after few months that I started seeing
the signs and hearing it myself that God wanted me to be a pastor.
How many years have you been in the ministry, My Lord
Sir?
I became a deacon in 1987, priested
in 1988, so altogether I have sent 32years in the ministry.
Can you please, my Lord, tell us the gospel behind
your election as the Lord Bishop in Anglican Communion
No one can tell, though,
everyone want to be at the pinnacle of his own career, but in the church there
is no yardstick that qualifies you as a Bishop. Bishop in Anglican Communion is
by election, when there is vacancy in any See, the Bishop throughout the church
of Nigeria will come together and nominate at most four priests and the person
whose vote counted more will be pronounced the Bishop, so how God did it, I
don’t know, although, I dreamt of it.
My lord, you are the pioneer Bishop and missioner of
this Diocese since 2008, can you tell us how the Diocese evolved, the
challenges and how you were able to solve the challenges
Awori land was one of the
first settlements for the early missionaries, but it is just unfortunate then
that the people could not embraced Christianity, worst still is the fact that
they could not even managed and maintained the leadership role, which was
thereafter taken to Agege. But it could be noted that, the Awori Churches then
(St. James) and others really worked by planting few churches both within Awori
and Lagos but because of the financial constraints the leadership position was
taken from them. The fore fathers of the church did their best, the church
authority later gave them Archdeaconry seat. As part of evangelism, coupled
with the fact the then Primate of the Church. Primate Akinola wanted to give the
early missionary settlements a diocese, so since Awori was part of the early
missionaries settlements, they were considered, and that was how the diocese
emerged as a missionary diocese.
On account of challenges
faced. As a pioneer to any organization, you must not but face problems. The
privilege I have was I had once worked here as a Vicar of St. Timothy and also
worked in Lagos.
There was nothing on ground.
When we resumed, we met 5priests, 3 of them later left because they were afraid
of the future. We met seven churches with a place of worship; we met a rented
apartment for the Bishop and a fairly used 4runner car as the official car.
Our first assignment was to
bring everybody together, which God really helped us on that. Our priority was
to plant more churches. We also enjoyed the goodwill of people from Lagos
Diocese. I enjoyed the cooperation of my people in Awori as well when they saw
our sincerity. I equally thank God that I have a supportive woman as a wife.
She didn’t demand much from me and she gives me all her support spiritually and
otherwise. We also enjoy the joint the ventures of Diocese in Lagos.
Awori Diocese was among the missionary dioceses
created in 2008. My Lord Sir, some of the Dioceses have merged while some are
not well functioning but Awori is waxing stronger daily, can you tell us the
secret sir?
The secret is just that we have
been enjoying the prayers of people and their encouragement keeps us moving
ahead. We also listen to God and obey His word. We equally receive help from
people and our believe in God’s ability. I thank many people that have made the
work easier for us, especially on land matters, Oba Ojugbele, late Chief
Olakotan and Chief Ajasa and Ven. Adebayo (Rtd)
Can you highlight some of your achievements?
It is an eye saw. To the
glory of God, we have over 50 churches, 40 priests, a befitting Bishop’s Court
and many other beautiful achievements
The Diocese of 11years, some people believe that we
should by now have at least 5 archdeaconries, but we only have one and 2 zones.
Can you tell us the rationale behind this my Lord.
I take my time to do things.
Presently we have sent letters to zones to be upgraded to Archdeaconry level,
so gradually we will get there.
Can we meet Mama Awori.
Mama Awori is a God given
mother, not a wife alone but a mother. She has been supporting me in my
ministry, she knows what I can do, capable of doing and when am weak she
encourages me, and so for my position today, I give credit to God and to her.
How are you planning for your successor my Lord
That is none of my business.
That is the business of the Church of Nigeria house of Bishops. They are to
elect whoever will take over from me. We are trying to go back to the old days
when a See will be vacant before electing another bishop wherein there will be
a Vicar general that will be overseeing the diocese. The idea of influencing
the election of a successor by the outgoing bishop has been condemned by the
house of Bishops. So, I can only pray for whoever that is coming to take over
from me, but it is not my own to bring someone.
Thank you so much my lord for your time
You are most welcome
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