By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to be ready to endure trials if they want victory, as triumph only comes after sacrifice.
Olanipekun, the Pioneer Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Ikere, stated this while delivering a lecture at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, on Wednesday.
The lecture, themed “From the Cross to the Crown: The Travails and Triumphs of Faith”, was organised by the Ibadan Anglican Diocese to honour its retiring bishop, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa.
Olanipekun told the gathering that faith must move beyond words into conviction and courageous action.
“Faith must ascend into conviction; conviction must translate into courageous action, faithfully borne, and must ripen into an enduring legacy,” he said.
According to him, the Church in Nigeria remains a struggle, not a comfort zone.
“The Church is oscillating between the cross and travails, with the hope to triumph through faith,” he said.
He explained that the Christian journey follows a clear pattern: sacrifice first and victory later.
“The cross represents sacrifice, betrayal, misunderstanding, loneliness, and obedience to God, even when the road is rough.
“The crown symbolises victory, eternal reward, and triumph through perseverance,” he said.
The legal expert, warning against the culture that wants success without sacrifice, urged the Church to return to the values of compassion, love for neighbours, and spiritual discipline.
Olanipekun described Akinfenwa as a man of meekness, simplicity, deep learning and a generous sense of humour.
He also defined the bishop’s wife as a Mother-in-Israel; the pillar behind the success of the bishop, whose peace and smile are heart-warming and disarming.
“His Grace has carried his cross excitedly, passed through the travails of life and his calling, unperturbed through his faith in God.
“Like Apostle Paul, he has fought a good fight; he has kept the faith; a crown of righteousness awaits him, both after his retirement and in the life to come,” he said.
Also, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Hon. Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, notes that the end of the journey is glorious, but it comes through endurance.
“At the end of this whole journey, there is resurrection and glory,” she said.
According to Ogunwumiju, a serving Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, grace does not remove the cross, but gives strength to bear it.
She commended Olanipekun for delivering a wonderful lecture and accepting the offer to speak.
Meanwhile, Akinfenwa, retiring after 26 years in service, said he was leaving with a heart full of gratitude and no regrets.
“God’s faithfulness has been evident at every turn,” he said.
He urged his successor and the diocese to hold fast to the truth, build on the laid foundation and never lose sight of the Church’s mission to serve God and humanity.
Akinfenwa described the partnership between the Church and UI as “one of the brightest legacies of these 26 years,” urging the diocese to protect and grow it.
The bishop also asked for prayers for his family through the retirement journey, saying their commitment to God and to the Ibadan diocese remained unshaken.
He thanked Olanipekun for honouring him and his family with his presence and acceptance to deliver the lecture.
He also appreciated the Ibadan Anglican Diocese for the love and care showered on him and his family, even till the time of retirement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akinfenwa was born on May 24, 1956, and was ordained as a priest in 1986.
He became the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in 1998 and was later translated to the Diocese of Ibadan, where he assumed office in 2000.
NAN
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