Kunle Adelabu
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has charged residents in his Kingdom to willingly give out to those in need during the Christmas period.
Oba Shotobi made the appeal while hosting the Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims, Ikorodu and Kosofe branch, to an Xmas Carol in his palace on Thursday, December 16.
“May our faith not be tested. I implore you that Christmas time is a time of giving and let us be a cheerful giver to our neighbours. We must not wait until they come to ask before we give them”, Oba Shotobi charged.
“Let us love our neighbours as ourselves and let’s hold on to that. May God continue to bless us and we will celebrate many more years in the land of the living”.
The monarch, who was full of appreciation to God for making him and members of the association to witness another Christmas season, asked Christians to continue to appreciate and worship God.
“Last year, there was what we called COVID -19 that shook the world greatly but we thank God that despite the pandemic, He kept us all safe in lkorodu.
“He made us to be part of those that will celebrate Christmas Carol in the year 2021.
“I really appreciate what the Lord has done. I celebrate with myself and I celebrate with you too because the celebration of Christ for whosoever knows it, is important. We have read a lot about it in the Holy Bible and we have seen miracles and we have received mercy. I thank God that every one of us seated here today did not stop praying and we did not hide our identity which is our Bible.
“God will spare our lives till next year when we will all gather together again to celebrate Christmas in good health and I want to implore us that we should hold on to our Bible dearly because it is the only it that can set us free”, Oba Shotobi charged.
Revd. (Dr) Benjamen O. Dawodu, Jpil, the President of Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims, Ikorodu & Kosofe chapter, in his keynote address themed, ‘Instrument of Righteousness’, said that people are instruments of God which He can use for whatever purpose.
“God may use our words or work as witness for Him, but we are simply His instruments. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the growth.
“Do not offer parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness but rather, offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness
“Our feet can be instruments of righteousness as we go where the Lord leads us. Our hands can be instruments of righteousness as the love of Christ motivates us to serve others.
“Our mind can be an instrument of righteousness by taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. Our hearts can be an instrument of righteousness by making the gospel our main ambition”, he said.
Elder (Chief) Amos Oshin, a Trustee emeritus, The African Church Bethel Cathedral (ACBC) and Elder (Hon.) Sadiku, also of ACBC, were among senior members of the association that attended the carol service.
Oba Shotobi read the first lesson of the carol service from Isaiah 9 verses 6 – 7, while Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho read from Matthew 1 verses 20 – 24.
