Kunle Adelabu
-Plans Arch-Diocese in coming years
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and his Oyo State counterpart, Sir (Engr.) ‘Seyi Makinde, KJW, have been honoured with Special Recognition awards by the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikorodu Diocese.
The two States Chief Executives were honoured by the Church for their exemplary leadership qualities and for good governance during a special thanksgiving service in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Patrick Bolaji Methodist Cathedral, Ita – Elewa, lkorodu as a Diocese.
The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, JP, delivered the sermon at the special thanksgivng service.
He was represented by the Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, the Most Revd. Dr. Isaac Olawuyi.
Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Anniversary and former Commissioner for Information in the State, speaking during the service, stated that the Church was honouring the two state governors for the good work both have done within the short period of being in-charge of their respective states.
He stated that the two governors have been of immense assistance to the Church and Christendom generally.
Also, while peaking with THE IMPACT, Sir Elesho stated that the significance of the celebration is the need for the Church to be thankful for the Lord’s grace, mercy and kindness.
“The significance is to celebrate the grace of God, the mercy of God and His Kindness over all of us. This church became a Diocese twenty-five years ago and thank God I was a member of the committee that inaugurated the Diocese then and if we are alive today, why not celebrate and thank God”, he stated.
He also added that the Ikorodu Diocese has also developed in many areas since its inauguration as a Diocese 25 years ago while also stating the impact of the Church on its host community.
“Not only that, in the last 25 years, the Diocese is developing both in bound and leaps and evangelism is growing very well.
“Methodist Church came to Ikorodu about 130 years ago and all those that can be regarded as the pillars of Ikorodu community then and now were developed by the Methodist Church through its educational system. I can mention late Prof. Bolaji Idowu, late Oba Oyefusi, Chief B.O. Benson, the incumbent Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Shotobi, my humble self and many others as products of the Methodist Church educational system”.
Looking at the Church in the next 25 years, the former Commissioner, who is also the Agbaakin of Ikorodu, stated that he expected the Ikorodu Diocese to have attained the position of an Arch-Diocese.
“My message to the Diocese is to further develop and spread the gospel of God far and near. Like the Bishop said during his sermon, we need a silver jubilee Church to commemorate the 25th anniversary as a Diocese and we are going to work very hard to get it done.
“I expect that in the next 25 years, the Church would have become an Arch-Diocese which is a combination of many Dioceses”, he stated.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his speech at the thanksgiving service, said that he was honoured to have been honoured by the Church.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have been considered a worthy recipient of this Church’s Special Recognition award. I am deeply appreciative of this honour”, Sanwo-Olu stated appreciatively.
The governor was represented at the special thanksgiving service by the Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi.
He solicited for people’s support for his government’s policy which he said are intended to make Lagos a 21st Century State.
“I am given the mandate to serve and make Lagos State a 21st century state to achieve and attain the goals of T.H.E.S.E developmental agenda. I need you to join me to ensure that our community is rid of ills, preach peace and love so that together we can build a state of our dream which we will be happy to bequeath to the next generation”.
While congratulating Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikorodu Diocese on its 25th anniversaryas a Diocese, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that it gladdens his heart to be part of the celebration.
He quoted copiously from Psalm 125:3 and Psalm 91:3 to buttress the fact that the Church has achieved great things with the celebration.
“It gladdens my heart to be among the congregation present here today. I rejoice with the entire member of the Methodist Church, Ikorodu, for the silver jubilee celebration.
“This is a celebration of God’s faithfulness and grace upon the Church. It has been a long period of two decades and five years. The elders and adults who have been here since inception will attest to the faithfulness of God and power of multiplication.
“The Church which was founded with a few congregation members has multiply to become what it is today. I perceive that you have a thriving congregation that is alive and decided to be for the love.
“I use this opportunity to commend you for sustaining the values and visions of the founding fathers of Methodist Church which is winning of souls for Christ and developing them spiritually”, Mr Sanwo-Olu stated.
He enjoined the Church congregation to pray for the Church, State and Nigeria against myriad of problems afflicting the country.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the past and count our blessings, we must remember to pray for the heavenly intervention in our Church, state, nation and the world at large to avert evil and heal the earth of myriad of challenges humanity is experiencing”.
The Very Revd. Samson Osundina, Bishop of the Ikorodu Diocese, also stated that the vision of the Church is to turn to an Arch-Diocese.
“The significance is that Christ in this Church is manifesting. The Diocese started with few Churches but today, it has given birth to another Diocese and created Circuits and still expanding and enlarging with men and women enjoying the grace of God and things are better off today.
“The vision and dream is to work this Ikorodu Diocese to become an Arch-Diocese having other Dioceses under it and becoming a very vibrant Arch-Diocese in Lagos. This will bring about more Churches, more souls won for Christ and more testimonies by the grace of God”.
Also speaking with THE IMPACT on the significance of the anniversary celebration, Mr Sewendo Oluseyi Whenu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation and member of Ikorodu Diocese, stated that:
“It’s a celebration time for the Church. They are celebrating 25th anniversary in a series. I can recall that twenty years ago, we started this journey together. Then, there was nothing, but today, we are still standing and have everything to be thankful for.
“The Church of the Lord is growing and we are also growing as an individual and developing in every way. So, we have every reason to be thankful, dance and celebrate with our members.
“My message for the Diocese is for it to continue to wax stronger and stronger. 25 years ago, we were struggling but today, we are better off and we know that God on our side, the sky is not even our limit. We will attain greater heights and by the time that we will be celebrating another milestone, we will be alive to give thanks and adoration to the Lord for preserving us”, he said.
Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, stated that the Church has recorded many achievements since its inauguration as a Diocese which, according to him, calls for celebration.
“It’s a significant event in that when you look at 25 years, it’s a long time and in the course of the 25 years, Methodist Church Ikorodu got its Diocese and there has been lots of developments. We have also seen that quite a number of things have been done by the Diocese.
“The Church has been facelifted and apart from that, there are other Churches that have also emerged from this umbrella. So, in 25 years, this Diocese has reached adulthood and has given birth to a number of other Churches which are in various parts of the state”, Prince Ogunleye stated.
“Its membership has also grown tremendously and the quality has also grown. So, it’s worth celebrating.
“In the next decade, the Church will continue to grow. As you can see that a place has been cleared in this compound for another developmental project and there is an ongoing construction of school in other part of Ikorodu. In the next decade, this Church will continue to march on from strength to strength. I can assure you that what you have seen in the last 25 years will be a child’s play compare to what you are going to see in the next decade”.
Builder Daini Olusesan, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, also described the celebration as needful for the Church to know that it has attained position of more responsibilities.
“It is a celebration of praise-singing and of joy that the Diocese is 25 years today and we are here to celebrate. I am a member of the Methodist Church and I am here to celebrate and rejoice with the Ikorodu Diocese. The celebration also allows us to know that the older you are, the more your responsibilities.
“As Ikorodu Diocese is getting older as a Diocese, it must also be preparing to get promoted to Arch-Diocese. The task ahead is spiritual because of the need to expand and propagate the gospel of God”.
The thanksgiving service was the peak of the week long activities for the 25th anniversary celebration of the Church as a Diocese.
