Bishop John Oyejola Commissions “House of Gold” Shopping Complex in Ile-Ife After 5-Year Vision

Catholic Bishop Declares Open “House of Gold Shopping Complex” in Ile-Ife, Five Years After Vision was Born
By Akahi News – 14 January 2025

ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE — In what can only be described as a testament to visionary leadership, faith, and enduring perseverance, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr John Akinkunmi Oyejola, on Tuesday, 14th January 2025, officially declared open the “House of Gold Shopping Complex” — a multimillion-naira, 40-room ultra-modern commercial edifice located in the heart of Mayfair, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The project, which now stands proudly on the former burial ground of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, has taken nearly five years to evolve from dream to reality. It was first announced as a vision during a Sunday Mass on 24th January 2019 under the pastoral leadership of the then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr Paul Akintayo Akinyode, who led the early groundwork and laid the foundation before being transferred in January 2020.

What followed was a period of uncertainty. With limited financial resources, the once vibrant vision seemed to slow into dormancy. However, the arrival of Rev. Fr Dr Peter Oluseyi Adeyemi as Parish Priest would soon reignite hope in what many feared may become an abandoned project. Through his unwavering faith, exceptional administrative skill, and deep connection with the parishioners, the work resumed steadily — despite the intimidating financial requirement.

A major turning point came in February 2024, during the installation of Parish Chiefs, where strategic fundraising injected new life and acceleration into the project. Donations from these newly installed Chiefs, external benefactors, and enthusiastic support from the parishioners helped lift the structure from mere foundation to its near-complete state today. At the opening ceremony, Bishop Oyejola commended all who made the dream come true.

“There is no any church for over 1,600 years,” Bishop Oyejola remarked in his homily, “all churches are just arising from needs, not because they know the faith. So, you are lucky to have your faith, doing this kind of a thing. It is there to serve the people and even to serve you.”

The Bishop reiterated the core mission of the Catholic Church as being service-driven, not burden-imposing. He stated that if the Church had the capacity to embark on projects without asking the faithful for assistance, it would gladly do so, just as the founding fathers of the Church operated. He also emphasised that the Church exists for both the rich and the poor, without discrimination of tribe, race, or religion.

Reflecting on the fiscal discipline demonstrated by the parish, Bishop Oyejola expressed joy that the Church incurred no debt in completing the project. This was in contrast to an earlier proposal which suggested borrowing from the bank — a plan that was ultimately shelved.

“The Church lives on charity,” the Bishop continued, “but there must always be transparency and accountability in all undertakings.”

Though the first floor of the shopping complex is still under construction, all available rooms on the ground floor have already been leased out — some with five years advance payment, highlighting the overwhelming demand and commercial viability of the edifice. Fr Adeyemi has projected that the full completion of the complex will be achieved by March 2025 — roughly one year after major works resumed.

During the ceremony, the Otun Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo, Chief Lawrence Olajire Awowoyin, warmly welcomed the bishop and highlighted the project’s evolution. He noted that the idea was originally motivated by the Federal Government’s dualisation plan of the Mayfair-Lagere-Iremo to Ilesa Road, approved in 2011. That plan would have affected part of the parish cemetery, prompting a new vision for redevelopment.

“Today, this place that was once a cemetery is now an economic hub,” Chief Awowoyin said, adding that the project has already begun creating jobs and boosting commercial activities within Ile-Ife.

Also speaking, Professor Marcus Bola Eleruja, the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, offered a heartfelt vote of thanks to the Bishop, parish priests past and present, and the faithful. He recounted the project’s long journey:

“Fr Festus Komolafe once had the thought of putting a structure here. Fr Paul Akinyode picked up that thought, drew up the plan, and began the foundation. But it is Fr Peter Adeyemi who bore the brunt of the mission and brought it to this glorious stage.”

Prof. Eleruja did not forget to recognise the unwavering support of parishioners, religious, church chiefs, generous benefactors, and the early bird shop occupants who paid in advance, effectively serving as grassroots investors in the project.

As the sound of celebration filled the air and the new structure shimmered under the Ile-Ife sun, the House of Gold Shopping Complex stood not just as a commercial centre, but as a monument to what a faith-driven community can achieve together — vision, resilience, and grace converging in an architectural masterpiece.

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