Venerable Odutayo Odubeko Bamidele hails from Odolameso, Ijebu Imusin. He was born on December 12, 1953, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He attended Edward Blyden Memorial School Sandgross, Lagos, from 1962 to 1969; and United Local Authority Grammar School, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, from 1969 to 1974. He attended St. Joseph’s Teacher College, Surulere (1976-1978); Ogun State College of Education, Ijebu Ode (1979-1982); Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, where he studied to obtain a Diploma in Theology (1986-1989); and proceeded to Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye from 1991 to 1995 for his Bachelor of Science (Education) degree in Guidance and Counselling. He went further to complete his M.Sc. (Edu) in Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ibadan in 2009, and his M.Div (Priesthood) at Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, from 2013 to 2014.
He started his career at the Federal Audit Department, Lagos, where he was a Clerical Officer from 1974 to 1975, followed by a stint at the National Electric Power Authority as a Meter Checker/Fixer, Island District Ikoyi, Lagos, from 1975 to 1976 before joining Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School, Lagos, teaching from 1978 to 1979. He served as an NYSC Teacher at Government Teacher College, Katsina, and Government College, Gibia, Katsina from 1982 to 1983. A year later, he took up an appointment as a teacher under the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, teaching at Itele High School, Ijebu Itele from 1983 to 1986.
Having been ordained as Deacon, he was appointed Vicar of St. David’s Anglican Church Ibogun, Sowunmi, Ifo in the then Egba-Egbado Diocese from 1989 to 1990. He served as a Cathedral Priest in several churches within the Egba Diocese, including the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta (1990-1991); St. John’s Church, Igbein, Abeokuta (1991); St. Paul’s Church, Sodubi, Abeokuta (1992); and St. Matthew’s Church, Ojowo, Ijebu-Igbo (1991-1994). He became a Reverend Canon in 2000 and served at St. Michael’s Church, Ago-Oba, Abeokuta, from 1994 to 2001.
He was the Archdeacon of Christ Anglican Church, Ajebo from 2001 to 2007; Holy Trinity Anglican Church Ikereku, Abeokuta from 2007 to 2011; and has been serving as the Archdeacon of Christ Anglican Church, Ijemo, Abeokuta since 2011. He served as Chaplain of Camp Glory Church of God from 1996 to 2000; and was Chairman, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ajebo Unit from 2001 to 2007. He served as Chairman of Ajebo Archdeaconry (2001-2007); and Ikereku Archdeaconry (2007-2011); since 2011, he has been the Chairman of Ijemo Archdeaconry. He was a Jerusalem pilgrim in 2008 and has been decked with the Award of Excellence by St. Michael’s Church, Ago-Oba.
Venerable Bamidele is passionate about reading, especially books on religious themes. He is married to Mrs. Titilope Adedayo Odutayo (nee Ogundaini) and they have three children.
