Kunle Adelabu
-Honour Patrons, Matrons
It was yet another period of celebrations as the Youth Christian and Ladies Christian Guilds of the United African Methodist Church (UAMC), Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, celebrated their 29th and 25th special anniversaries’ thanksgiving of their existence.
At the special service held at the cathedral church on Sunday, October 19th, the society commemorated the anniversary with a substantial monetary donation to the Church.
The Ladies Guild, to mark its 25th anniversary, elevated some of the patrons and matrons to Grand Patrons and Matron, and also inducted new pillars. While Hon. Sesan Olanrewaju, Elder Paul Adeniji, and Barr. Adeleke Ogunlewe were elevated to the status of Grand Patrons, Elder (Mrs) E.A. Oduniyi was promoted as the Grand Matron. Sir (Hon.) Adeleye Adebiyi and Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, were inducted and decorated as new patrons.
On the other hand, the Youth Guild inducted Alhaji Olawale Amusa, the Chief Executive Officer, HOMAT Group of Schools, as its Patron.
Meanwhile, in his sermon for the anniversaries, His Grace, Most Revd. M.J. Toyi, Archbishop of Diocese of Lagos, congratulated the two societies on the celebrations despite tribulations and challenges.
He, however, charged them to continue to rejoice, celebrate and give thanks to the Lord, in whatever situation that they are, quoting Psalm 95: 1 – 3.
He further urged that they should know that God is the reason that they came together as societies, and urged them to always reference Him, while emphasizing that they must give thanks always.
While also stating that members of the societies must remember reasons for their coming together which, according to him, is primarily to evangelise the gospel of Jesus and support the Church, Archbishop Toyi also urged them to allow the light of God to shine through them by ensuring unity, deep love and truth for God’s light to shine through them. He quoted Mathew 5: 16, Matthew 12; 25, Psalm 91:5 and Psalm 95:3 to support his charge to them.
Addressing the council chairman, the presiding Archbishop congratulated Omo’ba Aroyewun on his emergence as the Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, and charged him to allow good governance be the hallmark of his administration. He added that he must do everything to tower above his peers.
In her remarks, Mrs Opeyemi Amusa, President of the Ladies Guild, recalled how the society was started 25 years ago by seven members while she was still in school, and the challenges that they had to contend with.
She stated that the society started admitting wives of the Young Christian Guild at a point to expand.
Mrs Kemi Ogunlewe, an executive of the Ladies Guild, also speaking, thanked pillars of society that stood by them, supported and guided the society with their encouragement, advices and finance.
Also speaking, Engr. Gbenga Ogunlewe, President, Youth Christian Guild, thanked God, for the 29th anniversary of his society, and specially commended the Archbishop, Omo’ba Aroyewun and others for their support.
Awards of appreciation were presented to Elder Adeleke Ogunlewe, Mrs Marbel Faniyi and Chief (Engr.) Olugbenga Ogunlewe, for their support for the societies.
Notable among the attendees at the event were Sir (Sen) Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Dr. Jaiyeola Ogunlewe, and Hon. Gbenga Oshin, former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly. The Achievers’ Crew, Youth Christian and Ladies Christian Guilds of the UAMC Ereko, Lagos, Badagry and Abeokuta were some of the groups that were also in attendance.
Guests were entertained at the HOMAT Megalite Event Centre, lgbogbo, Youth Christian and Ladies Christian Guilds of the United African Methodist Church (UAMC), also cut the anniversaries cake.
