VIDEO: Encomium as Oyo deputy gov, others storm Saki for 120th anniversary First Baptist Church
Prayers and thankfulness were said at the end of events marking the 120th anniversary of First Baptist Church in Elam Memorial Close, Oke-Adagba, Saki, as well as DNS Joan Olatoyosi Ayo OON, the first female Pro Chancellor of Bowen University in Iwo, Osun.
The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life from the state and beyond including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal, who was in company of his stunning wife, Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Lawal; Senator Sumonu Monsurah and the Okere of Sakiland, HRM Ọba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi ably represented by of one his high chief.
Others were Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Oni; PDP House of Reps Candidate for Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Hon. Lukman Adamawa and Senator Fatai Buhari ably represented by the deputy governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Olufemi Okunlola, as well Oyo Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, who is also one of the church members and recipients of honorary awards.
In a sermon, the Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Saki, Revd Dr. Amos Olatunji Popoola JP, underscored the importance of thanksgiving, saying that thanksgiving throws the gate open for more blessings from God.
He stated that the foundation of the church started in February 1902, through Revd and Mrs Louis M.Duval of Southern Baptist Convention, USA, stressing that her establishment marked the beginning of Baptist work in the entire Oke-Ogun Area.
“Since inception, the church went through various life experience that one can imagined and in it all the entire congregation have reasons to give thanks to unto God for his unfailing love over us”.
“With this current development, this place supposed and shall served dual purposes which include spiritual Centre where people can have genuine encounter with the author of life and it will also become a religion touring centre for whoever visit Oke-Ogun area.”
He expressed his gratitude for everyone’s attendance at the anniversary and emphasized that they had come to sow for both their own profit and the glory of God.
During his remarks, the commissioner for agriculture, Hon. Adebisi, specially thanked the deputy governor of Oyo state, Barrister Lawal, and Senator Sumonu Monsurah, who he said traveled all the way from Ibadan to celebrate with him on the occasion of his honorary award.
He seized the opportunity to thank them for the honors showered upon him while asking them to present his donation to the church.
While speaking, the deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, thanked everyone in attendance and praised Hon. Niyi Adebisi for his good character, saying that the reason he came to the ceremony was because of the good character of the Oyo State commissioner for Agriculture.
“He’s a honest, intelligent and enterprise person. Even if I stay here endlessly today, it won’t be in vain”
Lawal emphasized that no matter what Hon. Niyi chooses to do, he will always visit this church to give thanks to God.
He added that Governor Seyi Makinde had sent him here because of Hon. Niyi’s position and good behavior.
“This church has been operating for 120 years without scandal or disgrace, occasionally producing individuals who possess the traits of the godly men they have created.”
The deputy governor complimented them for the remarkable accomplishment and declared that it was cause for celebration.
The only difference, he said, is that while humans go from this world at the appropriate time, a church like this one will continue to exist for at least 1,000 years.
You have symbolically honored those who have left by presenting them with awards, stating that today’s occasion is joyous and serving as a reminder for us to lead pious lives.
While speaking, the deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, who extended appreciation to everyone present extolled the good virtue of Hon. Niyi Adebisi saying that he attended the ceremony because of the good personality of the Oyo State commissioner for Agriculture.
He’s a honest, intelligent and enterprise person. Even if I stay here endlessly today, it won’t be in vain while congratulating him and saying that when he was appointed, he came to this church to give thanks to almighty.
He stressed that whatever he want to do, he will always come to this church to thank God. He also said Governor Makinde has also sent him here to represent him because of the good conduct and position of Hon. Niyi, saying that his excellency his among them even without his physical appearance.
Without scandal, without blemish, this church has been for 120 years and churning out every now and then with the qualities of the men of God it has produced. He thanked them for the outstanding feat and Said that it called for celebration.
He noted that the only difference is the fact that as human being, we leave the world at appropriate time but a church of God like this, will leave 1000 and more years more.
For those that have left, you have symbolically recognized them by giving them award, saying that todays event is Joyous and to remind us to live a pious life.
“Incidentally, the Pro Chancellor left even without knowing that her desire for Iwo road had already been granted.”
“The palliative meansure between end of Ibadan to Iwo road is being done and to be doubly sure, I have to beckon on the honorable commissioner for works, who also confirmed that the road has also been fixed.”
“Those who keep up with the trend will remember that Oyo and Osun recently met on the specific route connecting the two states, and both governments have committed to fixing it.”
“We in Oyo State are getting ready for the flag-off, unlike Osun State Government that is delaying the Flagg off, but I can assure you that in the next 3 months, the Flagg off would be done.”
“Incidentally, the Pro chancellor has gone, she raised that her request on road has been granted even before she raised it. He said the palliative meansure between end of ibadan to Iwo road is being done. And to be doubly sure that I have to beckon on the honorable commissioner for works, he also confirmed that the roads has also been fixed.”
“For those who follow the trend would recall that in the last one and half month, both oyo and Osun met on that particular road linking the two states and the two government have undertaken to fix that road.”
“For us in Oyo state, we are preparing ready for flag off, but it is osun state government that is delaying the Flagg off, but I can assure you that in the next 3 months, the Flagg off would be done.”
He added that the development of Oyo state is the government’s top priority, urging the gathering to reciprocate the good gesture from government in the forthcoming election as a lot awaits them.
Senator Sumonu Monsurat was present during Lawal’s address, and he specifically acknowledged her attendance and praised her for her brief comments on religious unity and her intellectual and in-depth knowledge of both the Quran and the Bible.
Lawal also visited the palace of Okere of Sakiland to solicit his support for all the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the forthcoming 2023 general elections after the program.