Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has described the passing of the retired Bishop of Lagos West Anglican Diocese, Peter Adebiyi, as a colossal loss. Bishop Adebiyi, an indigene of Osi Ekiti in Ido Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State died on Friday. He was aged 79.

Fayemi, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said the late Scholar-Priest was an admirable character who lived a life of service deserving of emulation.

The governor stated the late Adebiyi’s life was a testament of a young church organist whom many people never anticipated might become a great clergyman; describing him as a humble giant through whom God did numerous marvels.

While keeping in mind that Adebiyi was a man of stability and remarkable character, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) asserted that the late clergyman jealously protected that which was turned over to him by God and the church; leading to the growth of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West which has no less than 270 new churches.

Guv Fayemi mentioned that the late Bishop Adebiyi concurrently pursued a profession in the ministry as well as a parallel profession as an academic and taught at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) Ado Ekiti in between 1983 and 1987 and later on lectured at the Lagos State University, Ojoo.

“The news of the death of Bishop Peter Adebiyi was unanticipated and stunning. He was among Ekiti’s finest, a worthwhile Ekiti Ambassador and a man of honour. He was a man of integrity who distinguished himself as a clergyman and a scholastic. He did not restrict himself to the church, he had a second address.

“Bishop Adebiyi was a motivating and exceptional Ekiti man who constantly spoke reality to power. We will sorely miss his sensible counsels. May the great Lord grant him eternal rest and give the family the perseverance to bear the loss”, the Governor said.