Rt Reverend Dr Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria and popularly known as ‘NADECO Bishop’, is dead.
The former Bishop, who was born in 1943, was confirmed to have passed on quietly on his sickbed in the late hours of Thursday, at the age of 79.
The former spokesman of the late cleric and his son, Mr Tunji Oguntuase and Adeboye Adebiyi, respectively, confirmed his passage.
Also confirming his passage, his successor, Bishop Olusola Odedeji, wrote: “Good morning brothers and sisters. It is sad and heartbreaking to announce the home-call of our patriarch and hero, Papa Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, a few hours ago.”
Adeboye Adebiyi, in a statement, informed that the late Rt Revd Peter Adebiyi retired from the Diocese in 2013, at the age of 70.
The late cleric, who was born on April 27, 1943, at Osi-Ekiti, Ekiti State, was ordained a deacon in1970 and became a priest in 1971.
He first served as a priest at the Holy Trinity Church of the Anglican Communion, Ilawe Ekiti and became a canon in 1983 and was the vicar of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Ikeja between 1987 and May 1993.
The late Revd Adebiyi was collated an archdeacon in 1990 and later consecrated Bishop of Owo Diocese on May 26, 1993.
Bishop Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, popularly known as NADECO Bishop, because of his ardent criticism of bad leadership, was translated to the See of the Diocese of Lagos West.
He was a one-time university lecturer who worked tirelessly building the Diocese where he introduced many unique programmes and activities.
As a firm believer in good governance, he was an ardent critic of the military regime, especially after the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Tagged, ‘NADECO Bishop’, the late Revd Adebiyi was always in the news, calling the government to order and giving suggestions on how to move the nation forward.
He was an unshaken believer in restructuring as the only way to ensure steady growth, progress and development of the country.
“Before his retirement, Bishop Adebiyi, through his evangelical activities, church planting and youth development programmes made the Diocese of Lagos West a leading diocese in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion which was the vision and mission of the church. This earned him the name ‘Peter the church planter’.
“He was greatly burdened by the socio-political challenges in the country and was actively involved with progressive forces to enthrone democracy and good governance.
“He contributed immensely to the development of his hometown; Osi Ekiti which he loved so much. He touched many lives both home and abroad,” the statement read.
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