A ‘New-Town’ born raised to Leadership. The Late Bishop Emeritus James Allen Yaw Odico had early experience of life growing-up and socializing with the Youths of Ingram and MacDonald Streets in the city of Bathurst now Banjul. There he made observation of real life and formation of his worldly view. He became a Banker at the International Bank for Commerce and Industry (BICI) and rose to the rank of Branch Manager. He earned deeper understanding of the intricacies of Gambian societies; an asset greatly needed in his future role.
James Odico was a notable citizen that demonstrated exemplary leadership with humility. He took up a career in theology, ordained an Anglican Deacon in 1999 and a Priest in 2002. Soon after he was elevated to the rank of a Bishop succeeding the Late Arch Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson on Sunday 24 January 2016.He was a towering figure in Gambian society.
Late Bishop Emeritus James Allen Yaw Odico pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. He was enthroned when the Church was going through trying times but he soon gathered all his flock together. His managerial skills enabled him to communicate and collaborate effectively with all other Christian denominations. He fostered interfaith dialogue. He left a legacy of unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Promoting Peace and Harmony. He stood firm not only in service to the Church but also in defense of marginalized communities. He historically united all Gambian Christians in prayer at the Independence Stadium when former President Yahya Jammeh unlawfully declared The Gambia an Islamic State. Late Bishop James Odico, together with Most Rev. Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim and His Lordship Bishop Robert Ellison CSSp, led multiple ‘National Day of Prayer’ that nicknamed the Independence Stadium ‘The Cathedral’. Bishop James Odico’s fervent statements were ‘We are one people because we are interrelated’ and ‘we are instruments of unity and of reconciliation’. During the events at the Stadium we remembered him intoned in his exhortation hymn ‘Who has the Final Say? Jehovah has the final say’. Late Bishop Odico had memorable contributions during the drafting process of the 2020 Draft Constitution.
Bishop James Yaw Odico unambiguously and consistently raised his voice loud, during the preparation of the Defunct 2020 Gambia Draft Constitution. As Chairman of the Gambia Christian Council (GCC), he stood conspicuously defending the Principles of Sovereignty, Equity and Religious Diversity of The Gambia. He tirelessly pushed back strategies of Majority Dictatorship over the Minority. He also played a crucial role in promoting truth, reconciliation, and reparations in the post-Jammeh new democratic dispensation in The Gambia. He was one of the Commissioners manifesting the face and voice of comfort during the work of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC).He led inspiring daily prayers and posed hard-hitting questions to witnesses thus bringing greater clarity to their testimonies.
Late Bishop James Yaw Odico served tirelessly inside and outside the Anglican Diocese of The Gambia. May his memory be a blessing!
