Prof. Dapo Asaju, the former Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University has been translated to head Ilesa Diocese of the Anglican Communion. The new posting of the cleric became a public knowledge in February when he was confirmed to succeed the former Bishop Dr. Samuel Olubayo Sowale.
According to a release by the Provost of the Cathedral Church of St John, Iloro Ilesa The Very Rev David Iyiola Fadugba through the social handle of the cathedral, who broke the News of the election of the eminent scholar as the new Bishop of Ilesa Diocese.
He wrote, “We started the year with seven days fasting and prayer trusting God that we will receive favour of the Lord in the appointment of a new Bishop for our Diocese. In all of our meetings, the issue of the new Bishop was on the front burner praying and praying and praying. We thank God for answered prayers.
“We are blessed and joyous in Ilesa Diocese as we receive the news of the election of the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju as the Diocesan Bishop of Ilesa Anglican Diocese.”
The formal Enthronement and Inauguration of Ministry of the 5th Bishop of the diocese comes up on Saturday April 4, 2022 at the Cathedral Church of St.John, Iloro, Ilesa, Osun State at 11 am.
Bishop Professor Adedapo Folorunso Asaju hails from Iyara Ijumu, in Kogi State of Nigeria. He was born on 16th November 1961. He started his primary education at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Kabba where he later proceeded to Holy Trinity at Lokoja. He later concluded his studies at Okesuna B Primary School, Oja Oba, Ilorin. He attended Abdul Azeez Memorial College Okene for his secondary education. He is an alumnus of the University of Ilorin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983; Master of Arts in Christian Studies in 1985 and his Ph.D. in Christian Studies in 2003 from the same university. He delivered the university’s first Alumni Lecture in 1985. He also got Masters in Mission from Birmingham Christian College, Selly Oak, Birmingham, UK in 2003.
Rt. Rev. Asaju began his career as a graduate assistant (1983–1984) at University of Ilorin and Assistant Lecturer in Lagos State University (1984–1988). He became a Lecturer II in 1988, Lecturer I (1990), Senior lecturer (1992) in Lagos State University. He worked in the University of Ilorin as a sabbatical Senior lecturer (1995), Associate Professor (2000) and rose to the post of a Professor of Christian Studies in 2004. He delivered his Inaugural Lecture in 2005, titled “Re-enthroning Theology as Queen of Sciences: Theological and Missiological Challenges of African Biblical Hermeneutics”.
Professor Asaju, Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion distinguished himself in his academic field. He was Visiting Professor and William Paton Fellow at the Department of Theology, Birmingham University, UK where he later served as External Examiner to three PhD theses. He was acting Dean, Faculty of Arts Lagos State University, 2005–2007; Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Lagos State University; Member Governing Council, Lagos State University (2006–2008), member, Advisory Council to Government of Lagos State, Visiting Associate Professor Bayreuth University, Germany. He was one time chairman, Academic Staff Union, Lagos State University, 1988–1993, and later the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University.
Bishop Asaju has also served the Church in different locations and capacities. He was Vicar of Church of Epiphany, Iba Estate; Church of Transfiguration, Ketu Badagry Expressway. Lagos, Chaplain Chapel of Light, Lagos State University 2006–2009. A Bishop Theologian, Church of Nigeria and Rector, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary.
He is married to Barrister Mrs. Harriet Seun Asaju with children. He was the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University for a period of five years.
Meanwhile messages of congratulations and good will have been coming the way of the academician cleric.
Leading in this is the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, where he has served meritoriously, Professor Timothy Adebayo, who congratulated the Rt. Rev. Professor Dapo Asaju, on his translation as the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ilesa.
Professor Asaju was, until October 1, 2020, the Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. He handed over to Prof. Adebayo on the expiration of his tenure.
In a statement, Prof Adebayo expressed gratitude to God that his immediate past predecessor was made the Bishop of Ilesa, stating that the feat is well deserved and merited, given the Rt. Rev. Prof Asaju’s virtues as a frontline Church Father, an astute administrator and a distinguished Theologian of global recognition.
Prof. Adebayo described Asaju’s election as merit-driven, noting that the new Bishop of Ilesha has served the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) diligently in many capacities.
He mentioned that Bishop Asaju, who has been serving as the Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria, had served in the past as the Rector of the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta and the Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
In Prof Adebayo’s words: “The Rt. Rev. Professor Dapo Asaju would bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new assignment because he has always shown tremendous zeal in evangelism.
“The Diocese of Ilesa would experience tremendous development, I am hopeful that he would embrace the new assignment with the zest and excellence for which he is known.”
In the same vein, sons and daughters of Ijesaland have been expressing their delight and excitement on the choice of Professor Asaju to lead the diocese.
Messages monitored by PTL News have been full of congratualrory messages, prayers and promises to support the new helman to make a good success of his leadership of the diocese.
Ilesa one of the oldest Dioceses of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). The Diocese was created on November 2, 1974.
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