Emmanuel Osewe AKUBOR

 

The Catholic Family of Our Lady of Perpetual Light Chaplaincy, Obafemi Awolowo University, was temporarily thrown into pleasant confusion on Sunday 3rd 0f May, 2026, when the Chaplain Very Rev. Fr. Michael Wumi Akinsode announced the transfer of Rev. Fr. Francis Bamigboye from Our Lady of Perpetual Light Chaplaincy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to Holy Family Catholic Church, Road 7, Ile-Ife.

The announcement which was made shortly before the final blessing,  was greeted with surprise and exclamation from members ( both staff and students) of the Chaplaincy, following the short but impact filled  period  of  service of Rev. Fr. Francis Bamigboye. Consoling the Community, the Chaplain encouraged them that the movement was for good and in line with the operation of the Church.

According to Very Rev. Fr. Akinsode, although Fr. Bamigboye had barely spent a bit over four months in the Chaplaincy, his presence has been well felt by not just the Catholic family of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, but people around the Community. Fr. Akinsode admitted that Fr. Bamigboye came in at a time when it was clear that the Chaplaincy needed a priest to stand in for him due to fatigue, and had since then carried on, serving the community at full capacity.

According to Fr. Akinsode, although it is sad that Fr. Bamigboye will be leaving at a time the community was getting too used to him, but he was however happy that since his ordination some seven years ago, he will for the first time be fully in charge of a Parish as a Parish Priest. Explaining further, he said although Fr. Felix Bamigboye was original ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo on 3rd January 2020, he was immediately sent to the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu Ode, where he served for five years. On his return to the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo two years ago, he was posted to Ss. John and Paul Oranfe, Ile-Ife, where he was to  serve as Associate Parish Priest as well as familiarize himself with the situation in the Diocese (He remain there till December 2025. Fr. Akinsode particularly thanked Fr. Francis Bamigboye for the good work he has done within the short period of his service to the Community, describing him as a Good Man.

Responding, Fr. Francis Bamigboye thanked Fr. Akinsode for being a good Father to him. In his words, “ I served Fr. Akinsode back in the days as an Altar Server in Oton- Ayegbaju, were I had always looked up to him. And even as a Seminarian, he remained a father to me;… For this and other things you have done, I remain grateful Fr.”. Similarly, Fr. Bamigboye thanked the Chaplaincy for their great support, describing them as wonderful people. He pointed out that the first surprise he got on assuming duty in the Chaplaincy was that although he came to the Chaplaincy on 18th December, 2025, he was pleasantly surprised when on 3rd January, 2026 (even though he never informed anyone), the Chaplaincy celebrated him in grand style. He encouraged the people of God to keep the flame burning and continue to pray for him.

Although as at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been obtained from the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Prof K.T. Ijadunola, it is clear that from earlier submission, the Pastoral Council is well pleased with the service rendered by Rev. Fr. Francis Bamigboye. Earlier in the year, the PPC Chairman, Prof. Ijadunola had described Fr. Bamigboye as a Priest, who though young in the vineyard, carried out his duties/functions as one who had been there for decades.  Prof Ijadunola praised Fr. Bamigboye for his maturity, attentiveness and selfless service to the Church. 

The Our Lady of Perpetual Light Chaplaincy Family will certainly miss Fr. Bamigboye, but at the same time wish him God’s grace as he moves higher.