Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-As Church holds General Council Meeting in Ikorodu
The Primate of The African Church, The Most Reverend, Augustine A. Odufuwa, has exhorted Christians to not only fast during the ongoing Lent but also engage in prayers for repentance and life-changing spiritual renewal.
The Church leader who also urged members of his Church to focus on the Lord especially during the trying times of the Church, added that the period of Lent is meant for Christians to seek repentance.
Primate Odufuwa gave the exhortation while speaking with our reporter at the palace of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, on Wednesday where he had led the Archbishops, Bishops and other officers of The African Church who are converging at The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu, for the General Meeting, to pay homage to HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
The General Council meeting will hold between Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19, 2026.
“The main reason for visiting the Kabiyesi today was to inform him that we are around and to pray with him, his chiefs and with the good people of Ikorodu, which we did, and we were well received by the Kabiyesi,” the Primate said.
In his message to Christians, the religious leader emphasised the importance of Lent as a period of repentance and urged the Christian faithful to not only observe the fasting but also pray fervently.
“Well, this time, and this fasting is for repentance. There is nobody that is perfect before God, but we should work towards perfection. So, this time of the Lenten Season, we urge our people to face their God, and pray, not just fasting alone. They must pray along with the fasting, and I know their lives will never remain the same again. There must be a total turn around in their lives,” he urged.
While also speaking on the essence of the gathering of The African Church leaders in Ikorodu, Primate Odufuwa also urged the congregation of the Church to focus on God despite the misunderstanding within the Church.
“The essence of this gathering in Ikorodu is just to hold our normal meeting. It’s held twice a year. We give reports from other Dioceses and Provinces, and we harmonize these reports and also discuss other issues concerning the Church. It is just a regular meeting.
“My message to the African Church entirely is let us be focused, especially at this time that we have misunderstandings among ourselves. Christ is never divided, and we are charging them that no matter how lies fly, truth will surely overtake it. So, I know the light will prevail in The African Church,” he said.
Speaking while welcoming the Primate and other members of the African Church delegation, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, who was represented by Chief Emmanuel Oluwafemi Onafowokan, the Aro of Ikorodu Kingdom, thanked the team for the visit.
The royal father acknowledged the roles of The African Church to the educational, spiritual and social development of Ikorodu.
Ayangbure wished the delegation a fruitful and rewarding deliberation during the 3 -day General Council Meeting.
According to the Chairman Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr Seyi Adelabu, the 2 -day General Council Meeting will also feature the Primate Advisory Board Meeting comprising the past and present Primates, Lay Presidents, Deputy Lay Presidents, Archbishops, Bishops, Chancellors, General Secretary, Provincial Vice Lay Presidents, Diocesan Vice Lay Presidents.
Also, present Vice Chancellor, Provincial Trustees, Conference Secretary, Educa on Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Brigadier General or Deputy Brigadier General of the Lads & Lasses Brigade, the President and Deputy President of the African Church Women’s League, President of the African Church Youth Association and President of The African Church Evangelical Fellowship.
Other programmes slated for the meeting are Lenten Service and Break of Fast/Dinner
