It gives me such joy to see you all here this evening.
You have, of course, been formally welcomed to the General Synod and to the Diocese of Rẹmọ. But tonight, I want to welcome you in a rather different way. To our home.
Please feel at home here. This was Papa and Mama’s home, the home in which we grew up, and a place that holds so many precious memories for our family. So, to have all of you gathered here this evening is very special indeed.
As I look around and see the Primate, Archbishops and Bishops of our Church, your spouses, and so many distinguished members of the Church family, I find myself thinking: if only Papa and Mama could see this!
I know how delighted they would have been.
Papa and Mama, Chief Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ and Yeye Oodua H.I.D. Awolọwọ, were people of deep faith. Their faith was not something reserved for Sundays. It was part of who they were and how they lived their lives. And, as their children, we knew that they were very intentional about passing that faith on to us.
What a blessing that has been. What a goodly heritage.
They were central to the creation of the Diocese of Rẹmọ 42 years ago. And so, there is something wonderfully fitting, and, for me, quite emotional, about the Diocese hosting the General Synod for the very first time, and about welcoming the leadership of the Church of Nigeria into their home.
Tonight, therefore, I feel that I am standing here not only for myself, but somehow on behalf of Papa and Mama.
And I can almost hear them saying, as they so often did to visitors: “You are very welcome. Please make yourselves at home”.
It is a great privilege for me to be able to continue, in my own way, something of the legacy they left us. A legacy of faith, of service, and of a belief that whatever gifts God gives us are ultimately to be used in the service of others.
That thought connects beautifully with the theme of this Synod: “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry,” from 1 Peter 2:4–5 and 9–10.
It is such an important reminder that the work of ministry belongs to all of us. We are not all called to the pulpit or to ordained ministry, but we are all called to serve.
Wherever God has placed us, be it in the Church, in our families, in our professions, in public life, in our communities, there is work for each of us to do.
Papa and Mama understood that. They believed that faith had to be lived and that service to God must find expression in service to humanity. Which is why theirs is a story of ultimate victory.
Before I sit down, I want to extend a very personal invitation to you.
While you are here, I hope you will have a little time to look around. And if this evening is too full, please do come back.
For the first time since Papa and Mama passed, I have decided to open their bedrooms for viewing. You can also visit Ẹfunyẹla Hall, to view its wonderful gallery of historic photographs. The mausoleum, a constant symbol of the deep affection that selfless service attracts, is also open, as well as the museum.
These are not simply places or exhibits to us. They hold memories. They tell parts of Papa and Mama’s story, of their lives together, their faith, their struggles, their service and, ultimately, the legacy they left behind. It would give me great pleasure to share a little more of that story with you when time permits.
So, Your Grace, Your Graces, My Lords, and dear friends, thank you for coming into our home tonight.
Your presence here means a great deal to me and to our family.
I hope you will relax, enjoy the food, enjoy one another’s company, and truly feel at home.
On behalf of Papa and Mama, on behalf of the family, and from me personally, welcome, welcome, and welcome again.
May God bless you all, and may He bless our fellowship together this evening.
Thank you.
Ambassador Dr Ọlatokunbọ Awolọwọ Dosumu
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