Kunle Adelabu
-2023 will be a year of new beginning for Nigeria – Bishop Adetoro
Eminent dignitaries on Sunday, December 4, 2022, joined the Bishop and congregation of The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Aga, Ikorodu, to commemorate the 118th anniversary of the Church in Ikorodu.
The celebration was commemorated with a Community Hymn Singing which was held during the special service at the Church main auditorium with former Minister of Works and chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Sen. Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, as the Chairman.
The celebration was themed, “God of our Fathers”.
Also in attendance were: His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom (Grand Royal Father of the occasion) who was represented by his Olori, and Prince & Olori Abiola Kosoko, the Oloja Ereko – elect (Royal father of the occasion).
Special Guests of Honour in attendance were: Hon. (Otunba) and Mrs Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, the Executive Chairman, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), and Ms. Abosede Abisuga Lambo, former Executive Secretary, LAHASCOM among others.
All the guests in attendance presented various hymns songs anchored by the Choir of the Church.
Meanwhile, the Bishop, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, The Rt. Revd. Hezekhial A. Adetoro, has declared that year 2023 will be a year of a new beginning for Nigeria.
The preacher made the declaration in his sermon during the special service.
Elder (Dr) Timothy A.G. Okeowo, JP, Chairman of the planning committee, addressing the congregants, said that the celebration was with purpose of raising funds for the rehabilitation of one of the historic and landmark edifices in Ikorodu Division.
He appealed for the support of guests, while urging the entire members of the Church to also support the project.
“This Church was established about 118 years ago. Exactly on November 11, 1904, we moved from Ita Aro, down to this place in Aga. When we decided to have a befitting edifice as our Church, elders of the Church called on Baba Olutusen Onafowokan to design this Church for us and it is one of the landmark edifices in Ikorodu Division”, he said.
“If you look up from where you are sitting and round the Church, you will see that it is a very big Church. It is one of the churches and few edifices like Methodist and Anglican churches that you will see from afar because of its tower.
“These are indigenous churches with special edifices for long – lasting duration.
“If you look around it, you will see that the church is in dire need of renovation and we could see that we cannot fund it alone, that’s why we call on our fathers and mothers to assist us. That is the main reason that we have called you”, Elder Okeowo said.
“We want to rehabilitate the Church and make the gospel of the Lord advance in Ikorodu and we are in need of your support.
“We also called you here to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of our church with the Community Hymn Singing which we are introducing for the first time”, he added.
The Chairman of the special service who is also the Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, commended the initiator of the cathedral church, while he also expressed his happiness in worshipping and celebrating with the congregants.
“I am here today because this is my own church too. I grew up at Itundomiganran and my church is Methodist Church, so, I am very familiar with this Church. My siblings are members of the church”, Sebator Ogunlewe said.
“I attended Oriwu College and every Sunday, we usually walk to the church through Ireshe Road and passed through African Bethel, but today, it has become a Cathedral.
“We thanked the initiators of the Cathedral for their efforts in building it”, the elder statesman said.
The former Minister, however, called on the church to pray for the country for there to be prosperity, peace and good living conditions for the citizenry.
“As a politician, I want the Church to assist us in praying for our dear country so that it can be on the path of peace and prosperity. We want a country that common people will have food to eat and have access to good health”, he said.
“I thank you all for inviting me. I am greatly happy and honoured to be in your midst today. Thank you”.
In his sermon on the theme, The Rt. Revd. Hezekiah A. Adetoro, Bishop, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, welcomed invited guests and thanked them for honouring the cathedral church’s invite to celebrate its founding.
“I think all our guests for honouring our invitation to identify with us as we celebrate 118th anniversary of the formation of our church, especially the Chairman of today, Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe. In the same vein, I also welcome the monarch and eminent guests that are honouring us today with their presence”, the Bishop said.
“By the grace of God, this church will be exactly 118 years next Sunday, but we are doing this programme to kick-start the Bethel Day celebrations. As we celebrate today, may the joy of the Lord continue to be our strength”.
Bishop Adetoro, while delivering his sermon, quoted copiously from the Books of Act 7: 32, Corrinthian 1: 13, Judges 6, Malachi 3:6 and Chronicle 7:14.
The Bishop said that the God of our fathers from the beginning is still very much the God of today and that He is always with us through tribulations.
The Presiding Bishop, who said that God has never abandoned Nigeria, declared that 2023 will be a year of a new beginning.
“Nigeria got her independence since 1960 and just like the children of Israel, we are still in the wilderness, but God has never leave us”, he said.
“Nigeria situation will change by 2023. It’s going to be a year of new beginning for this country”, he declared.
The preacher charged Nigerians to desist from bad ways and attitudes of greed and self – centredness.
Bishop Adetoro also enjoined citizenry to move closer to God.
