By Peter Ajayi Dada
Though the carver might have died but his carvings would continuously speak volumes about him among generations yet unborn. That statement may aptly describe the late Bishop Julius Babatunde Akanni Adelakun, Bishop Emeritus of the Old and new Oyo Diocese.
He died on Friday, October 24, 2025 just eleven days after his bossom friend and childhood friend, Bishop Patrick Michael Olatunji Fagun, Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti transited into eternity. My personal and physical encounters with Bishop Adelakun dates back to the early 1990s as a young reporter with the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC (ANN Plc) , Publishers of the Tribune titles based in Ibadan.
I shared my thoughts of writing the biography of Bishop Adelakun with Mr Kunle Olayokun also on the staff of ANN Plc then and a brother to the Bishop. He agreed to discuss my intention with His Lordship on his next trip to Osogbo. Bishop Adelakun gave me an appointment which I kept as well as submitted my proposal to him directly. There and then His Lordship introduced me to His Personal Secretary, the then Rev. Fr. Paul Olawoore , later Bishop of Ilorin Diocese and Mr Iwa Oyefade of blessed memory, the then diocesan communications officer. He approved my proposal without hesitation and responded to my questionnaire copiously thus making my job very easy. Despite his tight schedules then, he still found time to write precise and balanced responses to the several questions that formed the bulk of the biography titled: “Bishop J.B.Adelakun, the Chief Servant Leader.”
He availed me access to his libraries and relevant pictures which enriched its contents.Till date, I am always thrilled and proud to showcase copies of the book to the public.
As we were progressing with the project, Bishop Adelakun told me that the headquarters of Oyo Diocese would be moved to Oyo Town while Osogbo will serve as the headquarters of the newly created Osogbo Diocese.
When I asked him in an interview about how he felt relocating from Osogbo to Oyo then,he described it as sweet-sorrow. According to him, it is sweet because Oyo Town would from then serve as the seat of the Bishop for Oyo Diocese. Secondly, he would be able to deepen the faith of Catholics in Oyo Diocese through effective and more impactful evangelization and be more accessible to the faithful in the area unlike when he was based in Osogbo as well as make new friends in addition to those he had made while he was in Osogbo in almost 21years of being the local ordinary of the old Oyo Diocese.Acording to him, it would be sorrowful as he would miss most of the friends of over two decades while he was in Osogbo.
The pudding of the cake is in its eating as excerpts from the biography and those from other sources presented below would showcase below.
Bishop Adelakun also ensured that his friend of 71 years old as at then, now Bishop Emeritus Fagun, wrote the foreword to the book. I cannot agree less with his description of his ‘siasmese’ twin brother thus:”If you want to know about pastoral planning and goals,health delivery services to the neglected, education of the youth, social endowments in the rural development of the marginalized ordinary and simple workers, the enriching of cultures through inculturation, dedication to social justice and peace manifested in his social services and utterances, spare time to read the biography of this worthy ecclesiastic.Bishop J.B. Adelakun is among those who make life real and earnest and worth living for others because for him life’s goal is beyond the grave.” (cf.xi)+M.O. Fagun, Bishop of Ekiti 10/10/94.
I am happy to recall that the launch of the book was one.of the earliest public functions Bishop Adelakun performed following the transfer of the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo to Oyo Town from Osogbo. I ammdeepely grateful to Baba Adelakun for considering me worthy for that project whose publication was also funded by the Diocese then.
Contact with the White Fathers/Altar Server : In my primary school days(1943-1951), I grew up under the influence of the White Fathers (Missionaries of Africa) . I literally shared their life, accompanying them to outstations, making their beds, serving them food and serving at Mass. I consider becoming a Altar server during Mass as my first step into the ministry. The Mass was fully in Latin and it was rigorous to pass the test to become a Mass server. From the day I passed the test, only sickness could prevent me from serving or attending Masses even on weekdays. They had a special fascination for me. Two years to completing Primary School, Father Jean Paul Beauchamp, a Canadian, said to me, ” Julius, wouldn’t you like to be a priest?” I stared at him but said nothing. He retorted: “they don’t fall from heaven.”….Late Msgr. Joseph Ade Taiwo and I heeded that call and our journey to the Priesthood commenced at Oke-Are in January 1952 and lasted thirteen years, ending with our Priestly ordination on 27th June, 1965…Culled from the Catholic Diocese of Oyo. Order of Eucharistic Celebration of the 75th Birthday Anniversary of Most Rev. Dr. Julius Babatunde Adelakun held on 4th November, 2009.
Life in the Minor Seminary: There were always restrictions on how frequently we had contact with outsiders. Free days were once a month unlike nowadays when the present crops go on outing every Wednesday. The prevailing notion then was: “A life of sacrifice without sacrifice is a contradiction and meaningless.” Hence, there was absolute insistence on punctuality and the rules of silence were regarded as good training pre-requisites in self-self control and character formation.These are some of the rigours built into the system. The students usually enjoyed their long Sunday walks from Òkè-Are through Òkè- Ado, Mokola, Bódija and to the campus of the University of Ibadan.Also evergreen in Babatunde’s memory is that in those days, they always went about everywhere bare-footed. It was only on Sundays did they have the priviledge of wearing their shoes. Also of note is that they were sleeping on mats…ibid, page 25 of Bishop Adelakun’s birthday Anniversary brochure.
Major Seminary days: Our Seminary days were quite challenging. Teachers were quite scanty but they did their best for us. The situation encouraged hard work, self reliance and creativity. We learnt to use our free time gainfully reading profusely, learning languages like French, Italian, Ibo and Hausa. Do it yourself(D-I-Y) was the rule then. May be that is why 13 years seemed to have passed quickly. However, of the 25 of us who started the journey , five of us made it to the Priesthood: namely, late Msgrs Joseph Adeniyi Taiwo and Michael Omisesan, Late Bishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka of Jos, Bishop Michael Olatunji and myself…. ibid, page10 as above.
Priestly Ministry:The eight years of my Priestly ministry were spent mostly in educational institutions. Between 1966 and 1969, I attended University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University where I obtained B. A. Honours in English Language and Literature….I returned to Nigeria in July 1971, in time for the Episcopal ordination of Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Olubunmi Okogie as Auxiliary to Bishop Owen McCoy, the then Bishop of Oyo. I was appointed to my Alma Matter, Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija-Ibadan, to teach Philosophy and Homiletics. In 1972, Archbishop John Aggey of Lagos died unexpectedly and that prompted the transfer of Bishop Okogie to Lagos as the Archbishop. My appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Oyo followed in December 1972 and the Episcopal ordination took place on 11th February, 1973. Bishop Owen McCoy retired in June1973 and I took over from him….ibid, page 10 as above.
Ministry as Bishop: My ministry as Bishop began at the very young age of 38. I was just eight years as a priest with little pastoral experience….Many think that Bishop Emmanuel Badejo is young but I was ten years younger than him when I became Bishop. Some told me to my face that I was to young. I told Mother Mary not to sleep as I would need her both day and night. Good Mother Mary has never failed me even when, sometimes, I behaved foolishly. In 1973, about 16 of the priests in the Diocese were Missionaries of Africa while 15 were native Clergy. The Missionaries of Africa priests were extremely patient with me. Some of them knew me as their Mass server but now become their Bishop.They accepted me with faith and carried out my instructions without fail. They set a good pace for me of missionary commitment, simple and modest lifestyle, selfless service and obedience to church authority. They continued to support the Dioceses of Oyo and Osogbo spiritually and materially even long after they had retired home….ibid. pages 10 and 11 as above.
Personnel Development: I thank God for the growing number of Diocesan Clergy who have become the mainstay of the Diocese. It is my joy to have had the honour and duty to ordain about forty priests now serving in Osogbo and Oyo Dioceses. I believe very much in the collaborative ministry with women religious. Over the years, the numbers of Nigerian women in religious life have grown tremendously. Fourteen women religious communities are serving in various apostolates in the Diocese. The Laity have never disappointed…. ibid, page 10 and 11.
Joys and sorrows: Life is always a mixture of joy and sorrow. As I look back, I can recall some of the sorrowful moments. Thd tragic loss of young priests, mostly through motor accidents has been painful. One also deeply regrets priests whom for one reason or another had abandoned their priestly calling. But, to God be glory, joyful moments have surpassed the sorrowful ones. The division of the old Diocese into Oyo and Osogbo Dioceses has been a source of rich blessings for both Osogbo Diocese which started with 16 native Priests in 1995 now has 56; Oyo started with 9 but now has 27….Above all, I thank God for elevating two of our priests to the rank of Bishop in the persons of Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘ Leke Abegunrin, Bishop of Osogbo and my successor, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo. To God be the glory…ibid, pages11 and 12 as above.
Appointment of Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo as new bishop: We are very lucky to have Bishop Badejo as the new Bishop of Oyo. He is highly qualified intellectually and morally for the job.A priest with over twenty years of Pastoral and administrative experiences, a communicator,a musician, a man of culture and well travelled. Above all, he is a man of faith and a gentleman. We could not ask for more. I call on you all to support him with your prayers and unalloyed co-operation. I wish him long life in good health. He who has called him will not fail him.Amen…ibid, page12 as above.
MISSION MISEREOR AND PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES: The two Catholic German societies known as Missio and Misereor deserve my very special mention because they have been friends in need and partners and companions all the way in our evangelisation works in the Diocese.They have given significant financial support to the building of churches, mission houses, schools and JDPM Apostolate in the Diocese. The Society For the Propagation of the Faith with headquarters in Rome deserves equal mention. They have been to us a model of Christian solidarity which we should emulate. May the Church of Christ continue to grow from strength to strength….ibid, page 12 as above.
RETIRED BUT NOT TIRED: I am grateful to God for the good health I have enjoyed throughout my 45 1/2 ( Forty Five and a half ) years of priestly ministry. The future remains in the hands of our creator. I have vowed to remain in the House of the Lord all the days of my life. I hope to continue doing what ever he gives me strength to do and for his people. I hope to devote sometime to the promotion of Bishop Adelakun Foundation.I appeal to everyone if you are moved to not only join the Foundation but become active promoters. May God bless you all richly according to his riches in glory (cf. Phil.4:19)…..ibid, page 13 as above in the birthday brochure.
Below are excerpts from Bishop J. B. Adelakun’s Biography titled: BISHOP J.B. ADELAKUN THE CHIEF SERVANT LEADER written by Peter Ajayi Dada.
On 4th November,1934, Mr Tella Adelakun and Mrs Tinuade Adelakun gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named BABATUNDE AKANNI ADELAKUN. Babatunde, at birth was named after his late grandfather, Pa Adelakun, the father of the then Mr Tella Adelakun….Exceprts from the Bishop’s biography titled: BISHOP J.B. ADELAKUN the Chief SERVANT LEADER,ibid pages 3.
Contact with Western Education: Little Babatunde Adelakun attended St.Joseph’s Primary School, Oyo, between 1943 and 1951 where he finally completed his primary school. Though his first contact with formal education was at a village called Ibua near Igbogila around Abeokuta in the present day Ogun State as a kindergarten pupil. Babatunde was nick-named BABA-ROGODO by his teachers and colleagues alike because of his short stature.This natural height of his made him the darling of everybody and they therefore wanted to be associated with him. This quality still radiates till date as Bishop…ibid, page 14.
Change of surname from Tella to Adelakun: Recalling his first few days at Oyo, Bishop Adelakun said, “At other towns before I got to Oyo, I was answering Julius Tella. Tella, my nuclear father’s name, serving as my surname. On admission to school at Oyo, I was initially answering Tella. But my headmaster then, the late Pa Gabriel Oworuntan, said I should change to the extended family’s name which is Adelakun as against my father’s name,Tella.That is how I got to know that there exists a family name different from one’s father’s name. The name, Adelakun,is what the family members answer till date.”….ibid, page 16.
CONVERSATION BETWEEN MAMA MARIA TINUADE ADELAKUN AND LITTLE JULIUS BABATUNDE ADELAKUN REGARDING THE PRIESTHOOD: ” By 1957, it had become clear and obvious who was destined and cut out to continue the second leg of the long and ardous journey considering those that had dropped along the wayside……Babatunde thought it wise, appropriate and germane to formally inform his mother about his long term intention of making a career out of the priestly vocation. To Mama Maria Tinuade Adelakun, the Bishop’s mother, any child going to the minor seminary was just like any child attending a secondary school of his choice in those days. And on successful completion, the child would then proceed to the University to study either law, medicine, engineering, accounting or any of those hot cake courses then.
…..Hence when Babatunde, Mama’s eldest son, told her of his long cherished but undisclosed plan, Mama received it with mixed feelings, scepticism and reservations. This agnostic stance was because of those stringent and immortal measures (habits) expected to be observed and displayed by Catholic priests which include acts of celibacy and chastity. Following this disclosure by Tunde to his mother, the following conversations came up between mother and child:
Mama: Tunde, is it true that you have decided to be a priest by going to the major seminary?
Tunde: Yes, Mama. I am going for it by the special grace of God.
Mama:But most of your friends have decided to take up courses that would make them big men in later years. Why is yours different?
Tunde:I am committed to serving God in a pious manner. It is through this process I think I can fulfil that divine mission.
Mama: Well, I wish you well.
Tunde: Thank you, Mama.
Madam Maria Adelakun had thought that her son was going to have a change of heart with time. But contrary to her expectation, he was as strong as the Rock of Gibraltar in his determination for the priesthood and he never wavered a bit. Some months later, his mother called him having been advised by her friends who had been observing her child’s insistence for the Priesthood. Another discussion went thus between them:
Mama: Tunde, my son, you know I am your mother and I cannot deceive you in any way.
Tunde: Yes, Mama. I know for sure that your love, motherly care and fidelity for me to succeed in life have never been in doubt for once.
Mama: It is about your proposed career( Priesthood) because I will not want anything that will bring shame to either your father’s family or mine. Do you say you have made up your mind to be a priest?
Tunde: Yes, Mama. I have decided and there is no going back; nothing is going to be a stumbling block by the grace of God in the way of my progress.
Mama: Perhaps you don’t know that Rev. Fathers don’t get married not to talk of having children ( celibacy).
Tunde: I am aware of these universally acclaimed facts. I have made up my mind to devote my entire life to the service of God, work in his vineyard and serve humanity. Mama, what if I am married and the wedlock is not blessed with children? Will you manufacture or conjure one for me from heaven?
Mama: What is it that attracts you in a profession like the Priesthood?
Tunde: Service to God; win more souls for God and propagate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ among his people.
Mama: What if you become a Catechist, have a wife and children?
Tunde: My sisters and brothers are going to give you enough grandchildren while I will take care of you till death. This priesthood is a good one which always affords one the opportunity to take care of one’s parents. Ibid, pages 28 to 30.
Priestly ordination day: Initially, Mama had thought that everything about the Priesthood was a dream and that Tunde was going to jettison the whole idea. But the reality dawned on her when the Chief Celebrant at the priestly ordination Mass , Bishop Owen McCoy announced to the Congregation thus,” It is now time for you, Julius Babatunde Adelakun, – to do marriage with God,” Mama Maria Adelakun said that instantly, she started weeping.
According to her, the scene during that stage of the Mass went thus:
Chief Celebrant : It is now the appointed time for Julius Babatunde Adelakun to enter into marriage covenant with God by getting attached to Jesus Christ, the Head of his church.
Mama: I had started weeping on the pew I was, soliloquising vis: ” Why has my son chosen to do marriage with God instead of a woman?”
A woman sitting by me said: ” Iyaa Fada ( Rev. Fr’s mother), “stop weeping. Wipe off all the tears from your face and start praying for your son’s success in his chosen career.”
Mama: “Immediately,I started reeling out a litany of prayers for Tunde that he shall succeed in the priestly vocation. ” (Mama Maria Adelakun recalled this dialogue between her and Tunde during a recorded interview with the author of this biography at her Ibadan residence in 1994. May the soul of Mama Maria Adelakun continue to rest in peace. Amen. Ibid, page 38.
The Bishopric: In October 1972, the then Rev Fr. Adelakun was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Oyo Diocese contrary to his expectation by the then incumbent, Bishop Owen McCoy. Bishop Adelakun recalling his feelings in his biography said, “I was just trying to settle down in the Major Seminary as a formator. I had just done barely two years of pastoral work which I was beginning to love and enjoy extensively. My experience as a priest was very limited indeed when I was appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of Oyo Diocese.’’…ibid, page 40.
Bishop Owen McCoy having sensed initially Fr. Adelakun’s plight towards the Bishopric had to contact the Rector of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan, then, Very Rev. Monsignor Patrick Ugboko to persuade Fr Adelakun to accept the offer. As fate would have it, Fr Adelakun gave in to the pressures and that put paid to the idea of even considering any other candidate for the episcopacy….Ibid. Page 41.
Bishop Adelakun made it a point of duty to learn from his priestly colleagues who were on the field before him to be able to administer them properly. To him, “the priests too have been good, patient and co-operating in all aspects. Most of them who had been on the job during my years at the seminaries are very wonderful in their suggestions and advice to me. They, accorded me the expected respect as their Bishop in spite of the fact that they were older than me in age and advanced in experience…ibid. page 41.
Bishop Adelakun reminiscing on his leadership as bishop in later years in his biography said, “ There is no school for training bishops. So, no one goes round dreaming to be a bishop. Indeed, only a fool would nurse such an ambition. Those that understand the meaning of leadership never longs for it. In the church, leadership means service and a leader in the church means servant. And that is the way it should be in the society also. But people do not understand it that way: hence they will do anything to gain leadership position either by cheating, bribery or rigging elections.’…ibid, page 41-42.
“…At the seminaries, young Adelakun’s colleagues used to address Fr. Adelakun then by the nick-named–`Young Bishop Aggey’ after His Grace, , the late Archbishop John Aggey of the Archdiocese of Lagos. And unknown to them that what they were saying jokingly would become a reality which further attests to the saying, Vox populi, vox Dei, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Ibid, page 42
Bishop Adelakun, some years after paying tribute to his predecessor in-office said, “Bishop Owen McCoy was our Father. He brought us up. When he gave me my first Holy Communion at Oyo, I was wearing some of the cloths he gave me. He was fatherly to me as a priest and when he was handing over the Diocese to me I found him faithfully sincere. I know he was happy to hand over to me.’’ibid. page 42.
On the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement: The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement has received the blessings of the Church in general. This is a movement that highlights the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the life of every Christian. Bishop Adelakun buttressed his claim by quoting from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 9:2 and 9) on why he encouragesd and supported the activities of the movement in Oyo Diocese. …However, there are abuses and extreme negative cases on the part of some charismatics which had compelled Bishop Adelakun to ban some groups in the diocese such as forbidding their members from attending the Catholic Church. This action had to be taken by the Bishop when it became clear that they no longer shared basic catholic beliefs which include; the Eucharist in the Church, the church authority under the leadership of the Pope, confession, the place of honour accorded the Virgin Mary and the Saints.
On Òkè Màríà Pilgrimage Centre at Otan Ayégbaju,Osun State: It has grown to become a national and religious pilgrimage Centre as well as a viable tourism Centre in economic term.Thousands of pilgrims go there year in year out to worship God and honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. The impact of the shrines in Oyo Diocese is tremendous. It is a prayer-power house for Catholics, and Christians of other denominations. And even Muslims throng the Shrine in multitudes. The shrine in Nigeria can be likened to a little Jerúsálẹ́m in Israel or Lourdes in France…ibid, page71.
Bishop Adelakun’s admonitions through homilies and speeches: Speaking on Religion and Politics:…after over 30 years of Nigeria’s attainment of independence, she is still groping in darkness.The leadership class has not lived up to expectation as it is characterised by selfishness,greedy and insincerity of purpose on the parts of those who had been privileged to reach there either through the barrels of the guns or election. “If we want to restore sanity and peace,we have to encourage good, sincere and honest men and women to enter and participate in Politics and we must assist them to stay and be honest as they immerse themselves in all their political engagement.” Ibid, page 73.
On voter registration : “As I went to check my name on the voters’ register some weeks ago, a Moslem neighbour approached me and said, ” Does this concern you too?” “Very much,” I replied. ” This country belongs to all of us and we shall swim together or sink together. While we talked ,a Catholic driving past stopped to greet me. When he realised what I was doing, he said, ‘I too must go and register right away,’ and off he went….Excerpt from Bishop Adelakun’s welcome address to seminar on ” The Church and Politics” organised by Oyo Diocesan JDPC from 14th to 16th August,1992.ibid page 89.
“Going by public opinion often expressed in the newspapers and listening to comments, many Nigerians agree that this is not the Nigeria we want. And so a certain feelings of cynicism or even pessimism seems to fill the air. Our experiments with democracy since independence have left us bruised and dissilusioned. But this is not fue to our inability to succeed. We must be patient with ourselves. Thirty-one years may be a long time in the life of an indivifual, but for a nation it is not more than a phase.The task of nation- building is a long-term project. The femocratic process must be given time to mature.” Excerpt from sermon by Bishop Adelakun at St Benedict’s Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo on Saturday, 29th September,1991,marking 31st Independence Day anniversary.
“It is not possible for me to know why those of you who are in partisan politics have opted for it. Could it be for the love of money and the power it brings, the get-rich quick syndrome? Love of competition and adventure? Love of your country and the believe that you can change things for better?” …ibid, pages 92 and 93.
“We, who are here may not be soldiers who have to go to war to defend our fatherland. But all of us must fight to keep our fatherland united if our heroes would not have died in vain. We too must continue the good fight. We must fight the war against indiscipline, tribalism, statism, selfishness and greed, corruption and religious intolerance which are the bane of our society.”… From the speech delivered by Bishop Adelakun during the 1993 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Service held at St.Benedict’s Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo.ibid, page 96.
“The problems we face in Nigeria are largely moral problems. It would be therefore most unrealistic to ignore religion and the role of religious organisations in the question for lasting solutions.It should be clear to everyone now that the task of providing sound, qualitative education for the citizens of a nation is sọ enormous and multi- dimensional and that no government can do it alone. It requires the joint participation of all, particularly the State, Parents and religious organisations who have the interest and experience….Excerpt from address by the heads of churches on Osun State to Governor Ísiaka Adeleke on 17th March, 1993.ibid, page 98.
VIEWS OF SOME OF BISHOP ADELAKUN’S CLOSE ASSOCIATES AS CONTAINED IN HIS BIOGRAPHY:
Monsignor Joseph Adeniyi Taiwo of blessed memory and a childhood friend of Bishop Adelakun responding to questions from Peter Ajayi Dada while working on the Bishop’s biography described him thus: “Bishop Julius Adelakun has been a childhood friend of mine since our primary school days. He is my colleague rather than a boss. That is how I can describe him. He is a very reliable, sincere, lively and a trustworthy friend in addition to being very jovial,no matter the situation. “As a priest, Bishop Julius Adelakun has strong feelings and concerns for others. He is a very humble priest who holds in a high esteem his Ecclesiastical, social or religious creed or beliefs. He hates descrimination, cheating and people of questionable characters. Rather, he loves seeing people being successful and making tremendous progress in their chosen careers.
“The further development of his priests after their major seminary days occupied a strong position in his heart even when there is not much funds. He always gives his priests the encouragement to proceed with their studies either in Nigeria or overseas. This has magnanimously made Oyo Diocese to rank as one of the best in terms of priestly development among its peers.” According to Monsignor Taiwo, one of the greatest joys and accomplishments of Bishop Adelakun over the years has been his honour and privileged as a Bishop ordaining as priests some of his students in the major seminary when he was there as a lecturer.These priests are now in Oyo Diocese with him propagating the gospel of Christ Jesus.”..ibid pages 75 and 76.
Monsignor Patrick Ugboko one of Bishop Adelakun’s lecturers when he was at the SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary at Ibadan was also the Rector of the Major Seminary when Bishop Adelakun was a lecturer there. He described Seminarian Julius Adelakun as an ardent and obedient student who always showed exemplary characters then….He was a bit shy because he was not used to talking much then.He is very jovial because he used to laugh out. He was the students’ organist and the general perfect then, supervising other prefects in making sure that they performed their duties.
Monsignor Ugboko recalled that Bishop Adelakun’s tenure as a lecturer at SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary thus, ” Bishop Adelakun was a dutiful and devoted teacher and was respected by his colleagues. He was profoundly loved by his students because he was always punctual at his lectures …He doubled as the seminary’s organist and choir master.” The Monsignor giving a general assessment of Bishop Adelakun said, ” He was very humble and frank to a fault. He refused to accept the bishopric for some time till I persuaded him. His predecessor-in- office, Bishop Owen McCoy had to solicit my assistance to talk him over into accepting the office. He has not disappointed me for once since then. And I amproud to say that he is one of the most respected Bishops in Nigeria today…ibid, page 77.
On Permanent Diaconate: ” Personally I do not believe the permanent diaconate will in any way affect Vocations to the Priesthood. It might, however,clarify the vocation of celibacy. I continually ask those training our priests, ” Are you giving a real formation for celibacy? If you are not, you are asking them to do the impossible.”..IN THE SERVICE OF GOD, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN OYO 1884-1994, By Richard A. Olaniyan, page 77.
On The Pastoral Plan: One of the notable achievements in this area of the Bishop’s primary commitment is the setting up of a pastoral agenda, a guide, a pastoral compass, as it were through dialogue and participation by the entire community. It is appropriately titled ‘Together into the Future.’ It is the first of its kind in the history of the Church in Nigeria, and Bishop Adelakun is justifiably proud of the achievement. It has contributed to the orderly development of the Diocese since it was launched. Ibid. Richard A. Olaniyan 1994, page 77.
PAST TRIBUTES AND REMARKS BY SOME OF BISHOP ADELAKUN’S FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES DURING HIS 50TH EPISCOPAL ANNIVERSARY AND 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OYO DIOCESE ON 23RD JUNE, 2023.
The incumbent local ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo had the following testimonies to give about Bishop J.B. Adelakun, “We thank the Lord that Oyo Diocese in these years, has achieved many milestones. Of these, the creation of Osogbo Diocese in 1995 is the most prominent. By God’s mercy, Oyo Diocese has produced five bishops and has had its priests serve the Church in many top positions outside of its home. The Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) as we know it today, began from the Diocese of Oyo in 1973 when it was initiated by our Bishop Emeritus.
“Much the same can be said of the the Pastoral Communication Apostolate, a fact corroborated by the heights to which the priests trained by Oyo Diocese eventually rose in Pastoral Communications in and outside of Nigeria.
“Bishop Adelakun is probably the only Bishop worldwide who, by God’s grace, has produced five other Bishops namely; Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin( Archbishop of Ibadan), Most Rev.Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo (Bishop of Oyo), Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola (Bishop of Osogbo), the late Most Rev. Paul Adegboyega Olawoore (Bishop of Ilorin) and Most Rev.Francis Femi Adesina (Bishop of Ojebu-Ode). For all these, we are grateful to the almighty God.”
Bishop Michael Olatunji Fagun eulogising his childhood friend then said,” Your placid cultured, welcoming and refined personality, typical of your race betray your well founded background, ever unruffled, deliberate in your well thought out ideas, never in a hurry, majestic in gait and motion and ever achieving the end purpose; a man of God with deep human feelings who would weep like Jesus on the death of Lazarus his friend (cf. Jn 11:35).” Bishop Fagun added that such qualities inherent in Bishop Adelakun endeared him to the presbyrate and the people of God. According to Fagun, it would not be an understatement that Bishop Adelakun’s name would be written in letters of gold as an outstanding pastor and shepherd as well as be numbered among the Holy Apostles of Jesus in His Kingdom.
Similarly, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of Ibadan Archdiocese, also ordained a priest by Bishop Emeritus Adelakun, described him thus, ” With the benefit of hindsight,we can say for certain that the Lord called you, chose you and endowed you with the grace of the episcopal office which you exercised so faithfully and fruitfully.Your years of service to the Church and the great responsibilities of leadership you shouldered are enough testimonies.”
Bishop John Oyejola of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo and one of the several priests ordained by Bishop Emeritus Julius Adelakun also lauded the Golden Jubilerian thus: “As we celebrate the solid faith and fruitful efforts of our Baba, the Most Rev. Julius Babatunde Adelakun, whose several decades of faithful service as Pastor and Bishop of Oyo has modelled the way for and impacted much more on the Nigerian Church, we are encouraged to weather all storms and continue the task of witnessing for Christ. We recall with gratitude , the humility, docility, gentle talk, sincerity of purpose, faithfulness to the Apostolic Tradition, as well as deep trust in Our Lord Jesus Christ which Baba Adelakun practically manifested and silently impacted on everyone during his active service as Bishop. We ask the good Lord to continue to bless him with good health and serenity as he enjoys his old age.” Eternal rest grant unto Bishop Emeritus Julius Babatunde Adelakun.
May his soul and the souls of thd faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.Amen.
Dada, a Lagos-based journalist, retired from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)