Our History

Historically, the Diocese prides herself as the preaching station of the early Missionaries to Otta on their way from Badagry to the hinterland in 1840’s, the fact of which in the wisdom of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) cannot be easily wished away.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) through her Evangelism Ministry decided to create Missionary Dioceses across the country. After some reasoning, it was decided that the Dioceses of Ifo and Awori among others be created.

The choice of the headquarters or the Cathedral for the proposed Awori Diocese brought a team of three Bishops led by His Grace Most Revd. Dr. C. O. Akinfenwa, the Lord Bishop of Ibadan to Otta on the 29th February 2008.

The team arrived Otta after their visit to Ifo and were welcomed to St. James’ Anglican church by eminent members of the church including Chief B. A. Osunlabu, Chief C. O. Ogunseye, late Chief C. O. Olakotan, Chief E. A. Ajasa and Chief Soji Akinyemi. The Onilogbo of Ilogbo Asowo, HRM Oba Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele was a key player in the actualization of the creation of the Diocese of Awori.

The location of the Diocese and other facilities met on ground and inspected by the visiting team of bishops, in their opinion can be improved upon. St. James’ Anglican church was chosen as the seat of the Bishop not because all the conditions normally required for the creation of a diocese were met but only for historical relevance and divine providence.

Worthy of note is the spiritual guidance of the then Primate of the Church of Nigeria, His Grace, Most Revd (Dr.) Peter Jasper Akinola who eventually inaugurated Diocese of Awori on the 29th May, 2008 and installed the first Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Awori, the Rt. Rev’d J. Akin Atere Ph.D.

The then archdeacon of the church, Venerable C. O. Ayejoto, had to move back to the Diocese of Lagos West handing over to Rev. Canon S. B. Fagbemi who enthroned the new diocesan.

The newly installed Diocesan, the Rt. Rev’d Dr. J. Akin Atere, an erudite scholar and evangelist quickly went to work following the set out vision and mission for the new diocese. And behold, to the glory of God, within ten years he was not only able to come out of the Missionary diocese status but also able to stand tall among his peers from other dioceses.

We appreciate all the efforts of our amiable father in the Lord, The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi for seeing that our yearning for a Diocese materialized within the shortest possible time on 29th May, 2008.