By Godwin Utuedoye,
A new bishop has been appointed for the Catholic diocese of Ijebu-Ode. He is Reverend Father Francis Obafemi Adesina.
His appointment followed the resignation of Most Rev. Albert Ayinde Adesina who has past the retirement age of 75 years but was given another four years until a replacement was made.
The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, by Most Rev. Albert Ayinde Fasina.
Meanwhile, the Pope appointed as bishop of the same see the Reverebd Father Francis Obafemi Adesina, a priest of Osogbo diocese and currently the rector of the Major Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan.
Reverend Father Francis Obafemi Adesina who have held several pastoral positions in his diocese of Osogbo, was born in Wenchi, Ghana on January 28, 1964. He has a Nigerian citizenship and completed his priestly studies in philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan.
He was ordained priest in October 14, 1984 for the diocese of Oyo but was incardinated into the new diocese of Osogbo.
subsequently obtained a licentiate in biblical theology at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a doctorate from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on 14 October 1989 for the diocese of Oyo. He was then incardinated in the new diocese of Osogbo.
Since his priestly ordination, Reverend Father Francis Adesina has held the following offices: collaborator at the Saint Benedict Cathedral, diocese of Oyo; (1989-1990); collaborator at Saint Mary Parish, Ilesa (1990-1992); parish priest of Saint Augustine, Ipetumodu (1992-1994); chaplain of Renewal of the Spirit (1992-1996).
He was made the director of the Pastoral Centre in the then-diocese of Oyo (1993-1995); diocesan coordinator of pastoral planning (1993-1996); chaplain of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede (1994-1996); diocesan secretary, diocese of Oyo (1994-1996).
Between 1996-2000, he went for further studies were he obtained a licentiate degree in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He was also work at the cathedral of Saint Mary (2000-2002).
Due to his conspicuous commitment and dedication, he was made a formator in the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan between 2001-2009. He was again appointed as the director of Art & Culture in 2002-2005 for the Institution.
In 2005-2009, he studied for the doctorate at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. Upon his return, he became the dean of students in the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan (2010-2013), Since 2013 he has served as rector of the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul in Ibadan until his recent appointment.