Kunle Adelabu
-Donate solar power to lighten Church
-Organise medical outreach, palliatives for residents
The Youth Christian Guild and Ladies Christian Guild Societies of the United African Methodist Church Cathedral (UAMC), Igbogbo, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, celebrated the societies’ 28th and 24th anniversaries respectively, during a special thanksgiving service.
In commemoration of the anniversary, the societies donated nine industrial solar power system to the cathedral church to illuminate its environment which is usually dark at night.
The thanksgiving service and anniversary reception at the Igbogbo country home of the former Head of Service (HoS), Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe who is a grand patron of the societies, were the peak of the three days anniversary programmes that started on Friday, with a special prayer session by members of the guilds.
0n Saturday, the guilds staged a medical mission and provided palliatives for the members of the Church and residents of Igbogbo, with over 100 benefiting from the gesture.
During the special service, The Rt. Revd. M.J. Toyi, Bishop, UAMC Igbogbo Circuit, who delivered the sermon themed, ‘Our thanks to the powerful God’, congratulated the societies and commended them for deeming it fit to give thanks to God.
He quoted from the Books of Job 38: 4 and 5 and Psalm 10: 4 and 5 among others, to emphasize the importance of thanksgiving and recognition of God’s power.
The Bishop charged members of the societies to always pursue the vision and ideals of the establishment of the societies and also continually invest in themselves because the the Church is looking up to them.
Chief Gbenga Ogunlewe, President, Youth Christian Guild Society and Lady Opemipo Hamzat, President, Ladies Christian Guild Society, presenting the solar powered panels to the Church, said that they are appreciating the goodness of God in their lives despite several challenges.
Chief Ogunlewe, speaking on behalf of the two Presidents, said that the free medical outreach and palliatives distribution benefited 100 residents of Igbogbo, whom were offered free tests and drugs.
“Foremost, we want to thank God for preserving our lives and count us worthy to celebrate 28th and 24th anniversary of Youth Christian Guild and Ladies Christian Guild Societies respectively.
“We thank the Church elders and the entire congregation, our patrons and matrons for their support.
“We started the celebration on Friday, with prayers and dedication. It was very powerful and resounding.
“On Saturday, we organized free medical checkup during which we provided free tests and drugs for 100 people. We engaged the services of certified medical personnel which also prescribed drugs, especially for those with high BP. We gave them drugs to suppress it.
“In fact, the beneficiaries so much loved the outreach that they were calling on others to come and benefit. That is the kind of evangelism that the Church should be doing. It is our way of giving back to the community on behalf of the Church.
“That is what our societies and our Church stand for. The medical mission went far”, he said.
On the anniversary thanksgiving, he said that they are donating the solar powered panel to illuminate and improve security in the Church.
“Today, we have brought solar powered panel to illuminate the Church, especially at night. The light, when installed, would also improve the security in and around the Church.
“We are dedicating this to illuminate the Church and prevent us from spending money on electricity consumption”, he said.
Joining the executives and members of the two societies for the special anniversary service were some of their grand patrons, grand matrons, patrons and matrons, including Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, Mr Leke Ogunlewe (Jnr.), Prince Adeleke Soberu, Sis. Olufunke Onasanya Bakare, Elder (Chief) Mrs R.O. Solawon, Elder (Chief) Mrs A.E. Ayeni, Lady Rev. Olushola Ashipa, Bro. P.T. Adeniji, Chief Olugbenga Ogunlewe, Bro. Adeleke Soberu, Elder Mrs E.A. Oduniyi, Sis. Yetunde Badejo, Sis. S. Obayomi and Sis. Kemi Banjo.
Also on ground to celebrate with the societies were there counterparts from UAMC headquarters, Oke Arin, Badagry and Abeokuta.
Guests were treated to good reception at the societies’ grand patron’s house where there were enough food and drinks coupled with good music that sustained the celebratory atmosphere till night.
