THE RT. REV. SETH ONI FAGBEMI

The first Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev Seth Oni Fagbemi B.A (Hons) Dip. was born on July 3, 1932 to the family of Late Pa Joshua Akadiri Fagbemi and Late Mama Ruth Ibitola Fagbemi.

Seth Oni Fagbemi started his primary education at St Thomas’ Anglican primary school, Erusu Akoko in 1940 and later went to Jubilee Centre Ikare-Akoko from 1944 to 1947 to obtain his first school leaving certificate. He was employed as a pupil teacher at St Stephen’s Anglican primary school Ikare-Akoko for only two years and later attended Western Boys High School, Benin City and Victory College Ikare-Akoko to continue his education. He passed the Cambridge School certificate in Division 2 in the year 1954.

Seth Oni Fagbemi was offered admission to Melville hall, Kudeti area of Ibadan in January 1955. There he sat for the Diploma in Theology in 1956. Ordained a Deacon in December 1956, he was posted to Ondo/Benin Diocese. On 30th June 1957, he was ordained Priest at St Stephen’s Cathedral Oke Aluko, Ondo.

After his ordination, then Rev. Fagbemi was posted to St Davids’ Anglican Church, Ijomu, Akure now a Cathedral. He was to serve as a curate but after two months; he was transferred to St Andrew’s church Alade Idanre and worked there till May 1958. Due to his diligence and hard work at Idanre, Ven. I.O. Okusanya passionately requested that Rev. Seth Oni Fagbemi be transferred to St. David’s Church, Akure to be his curate.

>On 30th December 1958, Seth Oni Fagbemi was married to Miss Victoria Ademuwagun at St Thomas Anglican Church Erusu-Akoko. The marriage is blessed with children.

Then Rev. Fagbemi went to University of Ibadan between 1965 to 1968 for his first degree. In 1968, he reported for duty again from the University to continue his missionary duties. He also took up a teaching appointment at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure between July and December 1968, he was later posted to All Saints’ church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo.

On 1st January 1969, Rev Fagbemi became Canon in 1970. He became the Provost of St Stephen’s Cathedral, Oke Aluko, Ondo on 9th August 1976. In 1987, the Diocese of Osun was created with the headquarters in Osogbo from the existing Ibadan Diocese. He was consecrated as Bishop for Osun Diocese on 2nd August 1987. The following day he was enthroned at All Saints’ Cathedral Balogun Agoro, Osogbo, as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Osun.

Bishop Seth Oni Fagbemi was a workaholic whose 13 years episcopacy in the Diocese was full of remarkable achievements. He is a humble man with virtues of modesty, humility, warmth love, honesty and integrity.

THE RT. REV. DR JAMES AFOLABI POPOOLA

With the retirement of Bishop Seth Oni Fagbemi (1987-July 2000) who laid a solid foundation for the Diocese during his 13 years of episcopacy the Diocese of Osun moved on with a new vigour as the Rt. Rev. James Afolabi Popoola took over the mantle of leadership to consolidate on the foundation years and chart a new course for the Diocese in August, 2000.

Rt. Rev. James Afolabi Popoola was born on 20th November1949 at Ibara-Orile, a place very close to Abeokuta. His parents Late Pa Isaac Aremu Popoola and Late Mrs. Rebecca Adepate Popoola came from Abeokuta.

He had his elementary education at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Asalu Village in 1960 and in consonance with the then National Policy on Education, he moved on to a Modern School between 1961-1963. He later proceeded to Vining Training Centre, Akure (1966-1969); he trained as a Catechist at Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan (1972-1975), and there also he trained for the ordained ministry and obtained Diploma in Religious Studies. He went to the Premier University of Ibadan (1976-1979) where he obtained Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master’s Degree in Religious Studies in 1984.

Bishop Popoola worked briefly with the Ministry of Agriculture before he started the glorious journey in 1966 as a Church Teacher (better known as Church Agent). This lasted for just about five months before proceeding to Vining College of Theology. It was during this time he met his loving wife while on a College Mission Assignment to Ekiti. Their courtship lasted seven years and seven months before a final and befitting consummation that yielded four obedient, joyous, precious and God fearing children.

He worked as a Catechist for two years before proceeding for further studies at Immanuel College of Theology and University of Ibadan and was made a Deacon in 1975. His first duty post as Deacon was St. James Cathedral, Oke-Bola, Ibadan and was priested after a year.

After his University degree in 1979, he served in NYSC in 1979/80 in Kwara State. After his service year, he returned to Abeokuta, his home town and worked as a tutor at Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School from 1980-1984 and also worked at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic as a Lecturer till 1990 but continued his ministering work at Holy Trinity Church Ikereku and Christ Church Iporo-Ake all in Abeokuta.

In 1990, he was appointed the Provost of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta. After a year as Provost of the Cathedral in 1991, he went abroad to study Cathedral Administration in the Church of England which lasted for just three months. He continued to serve as the Provost of the Cathedral till the year 2000 when he was elected Bishop of Osun Diocese and the consecration was at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Abeokuta.

On assumption of office as the Bishop of Osun Diocese, Rt. Rev. Popoola made it clear that his focus would be on evangelism. This was reflected in his inaugural sermon and subsequent action. He started immediately the School of Evangelism where voluntary evangelists were trained and sent to the field to preach the word and win souls for Christ.