For her contributions to the development of the Church, the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti, has conferred honour on the daughter of the former Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, Chief Adenike Margaret Makinde.
Makinde and two others, Prof. (Mrs) lbiyinka Ogunlade and Chief (Mrs) Oluwalana Olonisakin, were garlanded with the Iya Egbe title of the Anglican Diocesan women organisations at Anglican Cathedral, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday.
Mrs Makinde is a daughter of the late General Adeyinka Adebayo, who was at a time the Military Governor of the Old Western Region.
The honour were conferred on the honourees by the Bishop of Ekiti Diocese and Archbishop of Ondo Province, Most Reverend Christopher Omotunde.
Speaking at the event, Makinde described the honour as an impetus that would imbue her with the spirit to serve God more zealously and with vigour.
She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to place high premium on charity, especially empowerment of youth to wean them from social vices, adding that most societal evils can be curtailed with good home training and better orientation while parents and churches play pivotal roles to make them achievable.
“Time has come for us to start re-orientating ourselves and come to the realization that we need to serve God with all our strength. There are women in society that need helps and this we have to do as church leaders.
“Most of the problems our youths are confronting are background crises. Some of them were due to lack of parental care, because many parents abandon their homes in the course of running up and down to make ends meet.
“So, as women leaders in the church, we will organise our women and expose them to how best to raise their children in the ways of God and how to get more economic opportunities that can support their homes. It is our duties to let them know that.
“This honour is the best for any human being because it is from God. We appreciate the church for counting us worthy.”
In his sermon, Bishop Omotunde, who said the installation was contemplated as a result of God’s instruction, added that the Church was not only honouring the women, but calling them to the service of God and humanity.
“I am not honouring you, but only calling you to service. We called you because God wants you to be there. You should be ready to serve God and humanity conscientiously.
“It is not me that have recognised you but heaven and because of that, you must not disappoint God,” he said.
Bishop Omotunde admonished the honourees to allow themselves controlled by the words of God, emulate Jesus and ”be for him wholeheartedly”.
The service was attended by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, former deputy governor, Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, Bishop emeritus, Most Rev Samuel Abe, traditional rulers, Anglican priests, diocesan women organisation and lay faithful.