Have faith in God always, Bishop Akinlade charges Christians

The Bishop of Ife Diocese, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Olubunmi Akinlade, has charged Christians to have absolute faith in God at all times.

Akinlade gave the charge during the 100 years Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Award of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ayegbaju, Ile-Ife, on Sunday.

He also urged Christians to pray more for those in position of authority and a united Nigeria.

According to him, Jesus Christ shed His blood for the remission of sins of Christians, noting that Jesus equally faced challenges during his lifetime.

He charged Christians to cast their “burden upon Christ, for He cares for all of us.”

He commended the past Royal Fathers of Ile-Ife — Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for their pivotal role in the church.

During the presentation of award, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, charged indigenes of the ancient town to contribute positively for the development of the church and the society for them “to be remembered for good”.

The Patron of the Church, Chief John Odeyemi, appreciated God for the opportunity given to him and other members of the church to witness the Centenary anniversary.

“What we are doing today is harvest of thanksgiving, for sparing our lives, many people had worship in this Church and had gone.

“We that are alive, it’s not by our power, or by our might, but by His Grace; so all we have to say is thank you Lord,” Odeyemi said.

He called on members to emulate the past leaders of the church by contributing their quota to the growth and development of the church and gospel at large.

One of the awardees, Rt. Rev.Oluranti Odubogun, charged members to be steadfast, prayerful and follow the footsteps of Christ as well as to love and have compassion on their neighbours.

The Chairman, Centenary Anniversary Planning Committee, Sen. Segun Bamigbetan, appreciated those that graced the occasion.

It was reported that Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun, the 48th, Ooni of Ife; Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the 49th, Ooni of Ife and Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse 11, the 50th Ooni of Ife, received posthumous awards.

Also, religious leaders that received the Centenary award include the Most Rev. Abiodun Taiwo Olaoye, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province(Anglican Communion) and Rt. Rev. Gabriel Oloniyo, the first Bishop of Ife Anglican Church.

Others are Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Ogundipe, Bishop of Ifo and Rt. Rev. Olusola Akanbi, the Bishop of Offa.

Those that attended the thanksgiving service include Queen Temitope Ogunwusi, the Obalufe of Ifeland, Oba Idowu Adediwura, Royal Fathers and High Chiefs among others.