A very distinguished Journalist, Media Scholar and Head Media and Corporate Communications of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Abuja, Dr. Felix Ale has been nominated for the highest Church’s honour of the ANGLICAN CROWNHOOD AWARD of Akoko Anglican Diocese (ACAAD), Ondo State, Nigeria.
In a letter to Dr. Ale and signed by the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, The Rt. Reverend Jacob Bada, the ANGLICAN CROWNHOOD was described as the highest church honour which has a biblical origin in (Ex.29:6, Lev.8:9, 1 Peter 5:4, James 1:12).
Dr. Ale will be honoured with the prestigious award among other distinguished Nigerians on the 26th April, 2020 at Ikare-Akoko in recognition of his outstanding services to the church and exceptional leadership in the Society.
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The Anglican Crownhood will give the distinguished media practitioner and other awardees the benefits of being invested with a holy crown which they can always wear on special occasions, ceremonies and services in the church.
It also qualifies them to use “SIR” as a title before their names and dignifies them as a church’s noble synonymous with Saint as well as automatic nominees of the Bishop to the synod of Akoko Diocese.
The investiture of the awardees will be performed by the Bishop of Akoko Diocese, The Rt Reverend Jacob Bada on the 26th April, 2020 during a special service at St. Stephen’s Anglican Cathedral Church Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State.
It could be recalled that, Dr. Felix Ale was earlier installed as the BABA-EWE of St. James’s Anglican Church, Oka-Akoko in 1998 at a Special Ceremony that was personally presided over by the then Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt Reverend Kehinde Olowokere.
The talented Son of Akokoland who was then a practicing journalist, one of the leading Reporters and Government House Correspondent in Ondo State was bestowed with the honour in recognition of his exemplary conduct, discipline, professional excellence and outstanding contributions to his church and thus became the youngest in age in the history of the church to receive such a recognition which elevated him to the exalted position of a “Chief” in the church at such a tender age.
Despite his tight schedule, Dr. Felix Ale was said not to have relent in justifying the roles expected of him as a Chief in the church or shy away from any responsibilities as assigned by various successive Priests or Pastors that have administered his home church till date.
He is well known and appreciated for his philanthropic gestures and commitment to the development of the church of God where he has single handedly executed projects within his available resources for its growth and development. Hence the news of the proposed Crownhood Award in honour of the Illustrious son of Oka Akoko was received with applause by the entire congregation of his parish church, describing it as well deserved.
The Vicar of St. James’s Anglican Church, Oka-Akoko, Reverend Canon Johnson Akpata described the nomination of Dr. Felix Ale for the unique award by the Diocese as a recognition of excellence, reward for hard work and exemplary conduct.
He said, the entire congregation of St James’s Anglican Church, Oka is full of gratitude and appreciation to the Diocesan Bishop for the special honour on one of their most precious, dependable and prominent members and indeed a very distinguished son of Ondo state.
In his reaction, The Archdeacon, Oka Archdeaconry of the Anglican Church, Venerable Tokunbo Adebiyi congratulated Dr. Felix Ale whom he described as a source of inspiration and pride to the church.
Venerable Adebiyi said he is a living witness to what God has used Dr Felix Ale to do for the church of God, saying the Oka-Akoko media Scholar and Journalist is indeed a great blessing to humanity.
He said, the award is most deserving and encouraging, pointing out that, the recognition will serve as a catalyst to spur the awardee to do more in the service of God, particularly at St James’s Anglican Chuch, Korowa-Oka, Oka Archdeaconry and the Akoko Anglican Diocese which he described as one of the most senior dioceses in the church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.
Also, Reverend Canon Moses Ajose of St Silas Anglican Church, Ise-Akoko described Dr Felix Ale as God fearing, highly dedicated and indeed a very dynamic young man who has invested so much in the house of God.
Reverend Canon Ajose who was the Parish Pastor of Dr Ale’s church at Oka-Akoko for almost ten years described him as one of the most consistent, reliable and prominent members of the church who was always available for the church at any point in time.
He described the award being conferred on the distinguished Journalist as one of the greatest in the Anglican Communion, saying the recognition is a challenge to the young ones across the Diocese, particularly on the need for them to always bear in mind their responsibilities and contributions to their home churches from wherever they live or in whatever position they find themselves.
In his congratulatory message via email, a friend of the awardee who is the current Assistant City Manager, City of Kyle, Texas, USA, Mr James Earp described Dr Ale as the most sincere, intelligent and positive professional he has ever met.
While thanking the Anglican communion of Nigeria for honouring his highly revered friend, Mr Earp said Dr Ale remain one of the great ambassadors of the black race and his brand is hope in an otherwise uncaring World.
Also in his congratulatory email, the Associate Professor of Joint African American Studies and History at the Los Angeles City College, USA, Gabriel Selassie said he was not surprised by the proposed recognition for his good friend whom he described as very intelligent and resourceful.
He said, Dr Felix Ale is an esteemed colleague and it is always a wonderful pleasure to bear witness to his enviable character and work as a Scholar, distinguished journalist and communication strategist.
Selassie expressed appreciation to the Bishop of Akoko Diocese for the honour done the quintessential man of excellence and media Scholar, saying the awardee is not only a shining star but a distinguished Nigerian who has succeeded in carving a niche for himself in the field of Space Journalism and New Media through intellectual contributions at various international fora and publications across the globe
Also in his reaction via an email, a former Space Communications and Navigation expert at the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, USA, Dr Aler Finberg thanked the Akoko Anglican leadership for the honour to be bestowed on the awardee, describing him as a man of great character who place others at ease with his gentle dispositions, clean and beautiful appearances at all times.
He recalled his close interactions with the awardee during an Executive program at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the United States, saying, Dr Ale has demonstrated to his friends across the globe that character is a universal concept composed of core ethical values that transcend cultural, religious and socio-economic differences.
Dr Finberg therefore congratulated the Oka-Akoko born Journalist and Scholar who he further described as a unique personality endowed with humility and worthy life guided by moral principles and commitment to the cause and good of humanity.
The paramount ruler of Oka-Akoko, the Olubaka, Oba Adebori Adeleye in a telephone reaction, expressed delight for the choice of Dr. Felix Ale for the historic award.
This according to Olubaka can only be made possible by God.
Oba Adeleye described the NASRDA’S Spokesperson as one of his illustrious sons whom he is well pleased and indeed very proud of his passion for excellence, discipline, hard work and love for his community and the people.
Dr Felix Ale who started his elementary School as St John’s Anglican Primary School, Oka-Akoko was said to have remained an active choir member of the Anglican church at Oka-Akoko during his primary and secondary school days before proceeding for further studies which took him out of his community but never lost touch with the church and great people of his great community.
He is well known by his people, friends, and associates as a dynamic young man who has created a collection of monuments and achievements for himself through perseverance, discipline, hard work and abiding faith in GOD and one cannot but be fascinated by his enviable record of achievements and lifestyles.
Felix Ale who was also a one time Chief Press Secretary in Ondo State is today one of the leading Space Journalists and Scholars in Africa with a novel Ph.D research works on Space Journalism and New Media in Sub-Sahara Africa.
With his nomination and subsequent investiture with this glorious and unique recognition, Sir (Dr) Felix Babatunde Abimbola Ale thus becomes the first to be conferred with a CROWNHOOD AWARD by the Anglican communion in the inspiring history of the ancient community he proudly traces his root and historic sojourn, Oka-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
The historic Oka-Akoko town, situated on a plateau, the capital city of Akoko South West local Government is currently under the Traditional leadership and prescribed Authority of a former legal Icon in Nigeria and first class traditional ruler- The OLUBAKA OF OKA AKOKO-His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye.
A food for child is never meant for dog...impeccable and flawless Dr.Felix Ale worth it.
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