Life and Times of Late Bishop Rufus Morakinyo Okeremi

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The Rt. Revd. Rufus Morakinyo Okeremi was born to the Late Gabriel Okeremi and Late Comfort Olubola Okeremi on the 1st of August 1940 in Agun’s Compound, Lagere, Odeomu. He was brought up during his early age in Kinkinyiun village where he started his elementary education from 1946 – 1949 as a pioneering pupil in St. Andrew’s School Kinkinyinun before coming to St. David’s Grammar School Odeomu in 1950 to continue his elementary education and ended up in standard VI in 1954. He was immediately thereafter appointed as a Pupil Teacher in St. James, School Tonkere where he taught in 1955-56. He there after proceeded to St. Peter College, Ilesha and obtained the Grade III Teachers Certificate in December 1958. He was posted to St. Peter’s School Offatedo, now in Lagelu Local Government, Oyo State where he taught from January 1959 – February 1960. In February 1960, he was transferred to Anglican Central School, Lalupon as headmaster. He proceeded to St. Luke’s College, Molete Ibadan 1961-62 to undergo further training as a teacher and obtained the Grade II Teachers Certificate in December 1962.

As a result of self-determination to study science and dint of hard work, he obtained tuition by correspondence and ventured into the sciences and obtained the G.C.E. Ordinary level. He was thereby admitted into Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo May 1964-December 1966 to study Chemistry and Biology. He ended up obtaining a Distinction in Chemistry and Credit Pass in Biology. He was immediately after appointed as a teacher in Gbongan/Odeomu Anglican Grammar School, January – September 1967 before being admitted to the University of Lagos where he bagged a B.Sc. Hon. Degree in Botany and Zoology in June 1970.
After graduation he taught very briefly in Ife Anglican Grammar School before joining the Civil Service of the old Western State as a Fisheries Officer Grade II and worked in various stations like Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Abeokuta among other. While working as a Fisheries Officer in Abeokuta he introduced the domestic culture of Heterotis Niloticus into Fish farms. He had the opportunity of an In-Service Training to travel to the United Kingdom to study in Grimsby College of Technology, Lincolnshire, England for a Diploma in Fisheries Management, 1972-73. He occupied various positions and had rapid promotions till he eventually retired as a Director of Fisheries in 1990 after 35 years of service.
While still serving in the Civil Service, he joined the ordained Ministry of the church and was made Deacon in June 1980. He rose through the ranks and was ordained priest in 1982 and preferred Canon in 1992. He was appointed Archdeacon of Molete Archdeaconry in May 1995 – 2005. Before then, he had served as Non-stipendiary Minister in St. Paul’s Church Odo-Ona 1980-82 and St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan, 1982-90 before being appointed as a full-time Minister and first resident priest in Odutola Memorial Anglican Church, Olubadan Estate, 1990-95.
He attended Immanuel College of Technology, Samonda, Ibadan, 1980-82 to obtain a Diploma in Theology. He also attended the special Advanced Leadership Training of Haggai Institute, Session 356 in Maui – USA, 2001. As Archdeacon of Molete and Vicar of St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan, he established a number of investments to help the finances of the Church. These included the Nursery/Primary School which grew into St. Anne’s Comprehensive College; he built a female hostel, the St. Anne’s Female Hostel, University of Ibadan and a government approved hospital – St. Anne’s Anglican Hospital now taken over by the Diocese.
He also served in various capacities apart from his Parish work. He was the first Chairman, Board of Governors, St. David’s Grammar School, Odeomu, he was also Chairman, Board of Governors, Vining Day Nursery /Primary School, Molete Ibadan and mooted the idea of establishing a secondary school instead of fixing money in the bank. It was this move that led to the establishment of new Bishop Akinyele Grammar School, Oke Are by Ibadan Diocese. He was also a member Board of Governors, Bishop Akinyele Grammar School, and United Missionary Comprehensive College, Molete, Ibadan. He served as the Executive Secretary of the Bishop of Ibadan, 1992-95. He also served as synod Secretary to the Diocese of Ibadan 1991-2005 and served as Secretary to many sub-committees of the Diocesan Board. At the same time, he was Chaplain to the Government House Chapel, Agodi, Ibadan, 1990-2005. He was Chairman, Pilgrims Welfare Board, Oyo State, 1994-95. He was Treasurer to the Yoruba Bible Translation Committee of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) which resulted in publishing of “Atoka Bible”. He also served as the Secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) Western Block.
After serving as Archdeacon of Molete and Vicar of St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan for ten years, he was appointed Provost of the Cathedral of St. James Oke-Bola, Ibadan before being elected, confirmed and enthroned as the pioneer Bishop of Ife-East Anglican Diocese in 2008 and finally retired on 1st of August, 2010. The day of his enthronement and inauguration of Ife-East Diocese was historical as the Ooni, of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, first ever set his feet on Modakeke soil after eighteen years of his enthronement and form tradition of enduring the peace between Ife and Modakeke Communities.
He travelled to many Countries of the world in African, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. His hobbies included Fish and Arable farming, jogging, and writing. He authored many books including “Basics of Church Administration”, “Christian Conduct in the Contemporary World”; “Fulfilling God’s Purpose for your Marriage” and very recently his own biography titled, “A life of Uncommon Grace from God”. He was a recipient of many merit awards for contributions to many Dioceses, Archdeaconries, Parishes, and Church Societies. He was happily married to his heartthrob, Mrs. Eunice Olufunmilayo Okeremi, (Nee Olaopa) and blessed with children and grandchildren.
He fought the good fight, on 17th March 2023, very peaceful and gloriously finished his race on earth. He kept the faith. Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him on that day and not only to him, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
He was a loving husband, father, and uncle that would be dearly missed but his legacies will never be forgotten. Though died, he would forever be remembered.