Archbishop Borokini bows out after 44 years of episcopal service

… Says no regrets over stewardship

… Urges successor to prioritise divine guidance over human intrigue

The Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Akure Diocese, Most Revd Simeon Borokini, has retired from active ecclesiastical service upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, bringing to a close 44 years of episcopal ministry and 13 years of leadership in the diocese.

The retirement ceremony took place during a eucharistic service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Akure, where the Archbishop formally bowed out of office, marking the end of an era that saw infrastructural development and spiritual growth across the diocese and the province.

Borokini reflected on his tenure, stressing that while leadership came with its fair share of challenges, he had no regrets about his stewardship.

Speaking about his 13-year tenure as Bishop of Akure Diocese and four years as Archbishop of Ondo Province, Borokini emphasised the inherent difficulties of leading a diverse congregation but maintained that his approach to leadership had always been rooted in divine guidance rather than human inclination.

Borokini, who offered counsel to his yet-to-be-named successor, advised that all challenges and responsibilities should be laid before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to provide direction and wisdom.

“I’ve committed everything to God.
Whoever is coming, I will continue to pray for him so that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead him aright. So it is out of vision that we neglect my successor.

“And I don’t doubt God that our successor will continue what God has wished us to do. God will continue to build on him. And God will use him for further expansion in God’s kingdom in our great diocese.

“What advice do you have for your successor? You can call him or anyone that the Lord chooses. My advice is for him to lay all these problems and challenges before God and allow the Holy Spirit to direct him aright,” Borokini stated.

In a sermon delivered by the retired Bishop of Igbomina Diocese and Archbishop of Kwara Province, Most Revd Michael Akinyemi, who described Borokini’s 44 years of service as “very remarkable” and a testament to God’s faithfulness.

Akinyemi, who described Borokini as a committed leader, disclosed that even when intrigues surrounded his election as bishop in 2013, divine providence prevailed.

According to him, the diocese had experienced substantial growth under Borokini’s watch, describing his leadership as focused and progressive with the encouragement that the outgoing archbishop should continue walking with God and to enjoy his retirement.

“He is a man that is very solid and committed. When he was about to be elected as bishop in 2013, there were intrigues, but God prevailed.
There is no day that we must not have something to thank God for. It must be done ceaselessly.

“We are gathered today to celebrate the faithfulness of God in the life of Baba and Mama Borokini, in the life of the diocese. 14 big projects have been accomplished while he held sway as bishop.”