Kunle Adelabu & Ademola Olatunji
It was special royal carol service by all standard as First Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, and the Ikorodu royal family hosted the 2022 Christmas Carol Service.
The Choir of the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Church Cathedral, Ikorodu, performed at the event tagged, ‘ A Royal Christmas Carol with HRM Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi and Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotonbi’, while many eminent guests and traditional chiefs graced the carol service held at the Banquet Hall of the Aayngbure Palace, Ikorodu, on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
At the event, the revered monarch read the first Carol Lesson from the Holy Bible, Genesis 1:1-3, 26 – 31, after the lightening of the Christmas Tree.
In attendance were Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Information and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom who read the 6th Lesson: Malachi 4: 1 – 6, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom, and Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) who read the 3rd Lesson of the Carol Service (Isiah 7: 10 – 15).
Sir Soji Onafowokan, KCW, Apmc, the Project Coordinator & Director, while explaining the purpose of the gathering, said that the Carol Service afforded the royal family and guests the opportunity to reflect on God’s love and sing praises to Him.
In his brief royal message, Oba Shotobi was full of thanks and praises to God for the preservation of the lives of members of the royal family and that of the guests in attendance, to witness another Christmas Carol.
He also acknowledged the Church, its Choir, traditional chiefs and guests for making out time to celebrate this year’s Carol Service with the royal family, and prayed that they would all witness many Christmas celebrations in good health and prosperity.
Speaking with reporters after the service, Oba charged people to believe and have faith in him.
“I generally want to give glory to the Almighty God for making us spent 355 days out of 355 in a year and remaining 11days for this year to come to an end. We are here to celebrate the birth of Christ. I want people to believe in God and I want this generation to believe that there’s God and as a result, they should have faith and trust that the God that have kept them through till now. I have faith that in the next elections, our son and also Baba Oba of Ikorodu, Bola Ahmad Tinubu will become the next President”, Oba Shotobi said.
The Bishop, Docese of Ikorodu, Rt Revd. Dr. S. Olu Osundina who delivered the Carol Service message, commended the royal father for his consistency in hosting the Christmas celebration in the palace.
He specially acknowledged the support and acceptance of Olori Shotobi for the monarch.
He said that the reign of the monarch has brought rapid development into Ikorodu, adding that, “things are also working well to the glory of God”.
The Bishop said that the hosting of the Carol Service by the royal family always brings together people of different faiths who come together to praise God.
Other Lessons that were read included, Genesis 3: 1 – 9, Isaiah 62: 1 – 5, 11 – 12, Zech. 9: 9 – 13, Mathew 1; 18 – 25, Luke: 2: 8 – 20 and John: 1 -1, were read by Lady chief Elizabeth Arinade Odulate, Chief Olukayode Olomo (Baale Ojogbe), Chief Joseph Olatunji Aluko (Baale Owutu), Mrs Bunmi Akerele, Rev. Opeyemi Kehinde and Rev. Felix Eze.
Among special renditions by the Methodist Cathedral Choir were ‘Gloria in Excelsis’ by Mozart, ‘Magnificat’ by Caleb Simper, ‘Oyin ni Jesu’ by Bidemi Oyesanya, SAN and ‘K’Olorun d’Oba si’ by Sir ‘Soji Onafowkokan, KCW, Apmc.
The Choir also rendered a special traditional carol song, ‘With Gifts of Joy’.
