Kunle Adelabu
-As Church congregation embarks on awareness rally
The week – long activities in commemoration of the 120th Year Anniversary of The African Church Bethel Cathedral Ikorodu, today kicked – off with a royal blessing from the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V.
Oba Shotobi also assured the Church that he will attend the grand finale of the celebration on December 15th at the cathedral church at Aga Junction in Ikorodu.
The highly revered royal father gave the royal blessing and assurance on Saturday, when the church congregation visited his palace to pay him a homage as part of the anniversary awareness rally.
“I pray that the Church will continue to grow and by the special grace of God, that I Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi will be at the Church by 10am on December 15 to celebrate with you,” Oba Shotobi assured the congregation.
Speaking earlier, Rt. Rev. Hezekiah Adeleke Adetoro, Bishop, The African Church, Lagos West Diocese, stated that the Church is visiting to pay royal homage and get the monarch’s blessings.
“We are at the palace to pay homage and formally inform Kabiyesi that we are commencing the 120 years celebration of the existence our Church. We are here to receive royal blessings of Kabiyesi.
“Since the creation of the Church 120 years ago, there has been many other Churches that were not opportune to reach 100 talk less of 120 years, but, we have attained 120 and we are still in existence and waxing stronger because God is involved,” Bishop said.
The Bishop prayed for further development in Ikorodu which has been witnessing great developments in the reign of Oba Adewale Shotobi.
From Church Cathedral to Ota -Ona to Bethel to Ita -Aro and a stop at Church Vicarage and also a visit to Aro Palace to pay respects to the new Aro, Chief Emmanuel Onafowokan, who is a member of the Church, the congregation moved from there to Obun =Oke where there was another stop- over beside the Shitta family house, at the site where the Church had its first service on December 11, 1904, after pulling out of the CMS Church.
The movement proceeded through Oriwu Road to Ita – Elewa, Isikalu Street and moved to the Ayangbure Palace to pay homage to the King. After the palace visit, members of the church moved along the Ayangbure Road, Pashoku, Gbasemo/Aga Road and returned to the Church.
Revised activities commemorating the 120 Years are outlined below:
The 120 Years Founders’ Day Anniversary Committee cordially invites you to her programmes which are as follows:
- Rally: We take off from the Church @ 7:00 am on December 7, 2024. We shall pay homage to the Ayangbure at his palace before we disembark from the exercise@ 9:00 am.
- The Press Conference follows shortly after the Rally at the church premises.
- Community Hymns Singing, Awards, lecture and Children/Youth performance takes place during church service on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
- A -3 Day Revival commences from Monday, December 9 to Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the church premises.
- Commissioning of water project for the use of the Aga Community ably sponsored by Mrs. Abimbola Akingbade in memory of her late Dad, Evangelist. Mathew Ayinde Odugbesi -aka- Afadurajagun takes place on December 11, 2024 after a brief commemorative service @ 11:00 am. The dress code is white with blue
- Grand Finale cum Fundraising towards a #500M Youth Development Centre comes up on December 15, 2024 during the Church Service. Dress Code will be white with the Anniversary Aso-oke. Let’s all come together to celebrate the anniversary.
