By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, NIGERIA — The ancient coastal town of Badagry witnessed a significant spiritual and administrative gathering as the Diocese of Badagry (Anglican Communion) commenced the First Session of its Eighth Synod. Held at the historic Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, the event drew prominent church leaders, delegates, and top government officials to deliberate on the future of the diocese.
Among the notable dignitaries in attendance was the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe. Beyond his role as a political leader, Hon. Hunpe participated fully in his spiritual capacity as the designated Diocesan Communicator, underscoring the deep connection between communal leadership and faith.
The multi-day event was held under the presidency of the Rt. Revd. Dr. Babatunde Joseph Adeyemi, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Badagry. This year, the gathering took on a deeply emotional and historic note, serving as the Valedictory Synod for Bishop Adeyemi as he prepares to conclude his long-standing leadership.
Centered around the scriptural theme of “Gratitude” (drawn from Luke 17:15–17), the session offered attendees a structured platform for deep spiritual reflection, worship, and strategic discussions regarding community development and evangelical expansion.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening session, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe paid glowing tribute to Bishop Adeyemi’s extensive legacy. He reflected on how the Bishop's visionary leadership reshaped the entire Christian landscape within the region over more than two decades.
“Today we are starting our Synod and it is a Synod of gratitude as the theme states. It is also the last Synod the Bishop would be celebrating with us,” Hunpe remarked.
The local government chairman further highlighted that under Bishop Adeyemi’s 21-year Episcopal Ministry, the Diocese of Badagry successfully evolved from a heavily reliant missionary outpost into a self-sustaining, flourishing, and impactful spiritual community.
The First Session of the Eighth Synod combined traditional Anglican liturgy with forward-looking administrative sessions, focusing heavily on local impacts:
Valedictory Appreciations: Special prayer and citation sessions honoring Bishop Adeyemi’s 21 years of unbroken service.
Thematic Deliberations:** Sermons and workshops exploring the social and spiritual dimensions of living a life of active gratitude.
Community Development: Collaborative dialogues between the church leadership and local governance to foster unity and youth engagement across Badagry.
The event concluded with an enriched sense of purpose among the delegates, who pledged to sustain the developmental milestones established during the Bishop's historic tenure.