By Eseoghene Emuke
Rt. Rev. Cyril Odiboroghene Odutemu was on Friday elected as the Archbishop of Bendel Province of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) covering Delta and Edo States.
He was elected to the exalted position during the 2020 retreat of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church at the Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Odutemu’s election was presided over by the outgoing Primate of the Church, Nicholas Okoh.
He is becoming Archbishop 10 years into his episcopacy as a bishop and would oversee 16 Dioceses in the province covering Edo and Delta States.
HERE ARE 11 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIM:
- Archbishop Odutemu was born on May 2, 1972 at a crusade ground during the evangelical exploits of the late popular evangelist, Adam Igbudu.
- Archbishop Odutemu was ordained into the holy order of priesthood in 1998.
- Until his recent election, he is the Bishop of Diocese of Ughelli. He was ordained bishop in 2010.
- The Ughelli bishop was consecrated on 12th of September, 2010 by the Primate of All Nigeria Most Revd. Nicholas D. Okoh along with other Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Nigeria.
- He succeeded Rt. Rev. Vincent Muoghereh.
- Archbishop Odutemu is a doctorate degree holder
- He was ordained bishop at the age of 38, making him the youngest priest to be elected bishop of the Anglican Church in Nigeria.
- Odutemu would be the first Urhobo man to be elected to the exalted office in the Anglican Church.
- He was elected to succeed His Grace, the Most Revd Friday Imakhai who would be proceeding on retirement later this year.
- 10 years into his episcopacy, Odutemu has been elected again, this time as Archbishop of Bendel where he would be expected to preside over the 16 Dioceses in Edo and Delta States.
- He was appointed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the Chairman of the Delta State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
