The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, has expressed admiration for the values and organisational excellence displayed by The Apostolic Faith Church (AFM), during its Oyo Area 2024 Christmas Concert themed, “The Joyful News” and held on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at its Oke Ado branch in Ibadan.
The event had in attendance the church District Superintendent for West and Central Africa (WECA), Rev Isaac Adigun and his wife, Stella, and his Special Assistant, Bro Bode Odunlaja, Oyo Area Overseer, Rev Funso Shobowale, presiding Pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, the Archbishop of Anglican Diocese, Ibadan, High Bishop Olatunji Akinfenwa, represented by Ven. Ayegbusi, the leading minister of Baptist Church Oke-Ado, Rev Sunday Adeboje, the leading minister from St Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ado, Very Rev. Fr. Benedict Ugwoegbu, Ven Olusegun Faleye of the St Anne’s Church, Molete, Pastor A. A. Jimoh of the Baptist Church, Idi Odo, Regional Administrator of RCCG, Oke Bola, Dr Mrs Funmi Oyelaja, Eleko Tedo of Eko Tedo, Baale Taye Ayorinde, DPO for Agodi Testing Ground, CSP Oyewole Oyeyemi, Representing the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Apata, CSP Kehinde Odubanjo, and GM Amuludun 99.1, Steven Agbaje.
Rev Isaac Adigun
Both the church members and the invited guests were treated to soul lifting songs including O Come All Ye Faithful, Let the Bright Seraphim, Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite by G. F. Handel, Christmas Is A Birthday by Dick Manning and Gregory Paul Deutsch, Keresimesi Odun De by Jolly Shine, Shout Ye Heavens by John Antes, Odun Yi A Yabo by Osunniran Ebenezer, Music For The Royal Fireworks: Overture by G. F. Handel, and Christmas Cantata by Arr. Osunniran Ebenezer.
Others are E Je Ka Jo Yin Jesu by Mayowa Owolabi, Bi Awon Olus’agutan by Gordon Jacob, Jesu Ta N Reti by C. A. Adekoya and Nathaniel ‘Seyi Oluyale, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Keresimesi, He Comes by G. F. Handel, Adura Odun by Osunniran Ebenezer and Fayele, M. Olukoya.
Olayinka, who is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, West Midlands Open University, Ibadan, while delivering a vote of thanks revealed that although he has lived in Ibadan since 1976, it was his first time visiting the church.
Tunde Lemo
The university administrator described the experience as memorable and noted two aspects that stood out: the church’s commitment to education and its punctuality in starting the programme.
He said, “As an educator, I was impressed to see a secondary school nearby and to learn about Crawford University in Igbesa, Ogun State, which is owned by The Apostolic Faith. I have been invited to Crawford on several occasions by my senior colleague, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola.”
Olayinka also praised the church for starting the event promptly at the scheduled time of 4 p.m., contrasting it with the common tendency in many African settings to begin programmes later than advertised. “These little things matter. I have learnt from my time at the University of Ibadan to value promptness. I appreciate the church’s leadership for this admirable discipline,” he added.
The programme, focused on choir ministration, received high commendations from Olayinka, who described the choir as “wholesome and inspiring.” He encouraged the choir to aim even higher in subsequent performances.
Reflecting on the essence of the season, he said, “Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. We pray that this Christmas will be remembered for good and that the blessings we receive will remain with us.”
He further lauded the church for fostering unity among Christians by inviting people from various denominations, emphasising that Christians, irrespective of their denominations, are united under one faith.
According to him, the event was graced by dignitaries and congregants from diverse Christian organisations, who came together to celebrate in the spirit of the season, thanking the organisers for extending the invitation, and expressed hope for continued collaboration and fellowship in the future.
The Apostolic Faith Church, known for its strong emphasis on spirituality, education, and community service, once again demonstrated its commitment to these ideals through this event.
Earlier, the WECA held its concert on Sunday, December 22, 2024, with the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tunde Lemo, who was described as a long-term friend of the church expressing profound gratitude and sharing an uplifting message of faith, transformation, and hope for Nigeria.
Thanking Rev. Adigun, and the church’s choir for their unwavering commitment to spiritual excellence, Lemo reflected on his decades-long connection with the church, saying, “I have been coming regularly for 39 years now. By next year, it will be 40 years. We have never been asked to pay a kobo to come. They always exceed our expectations.”
He praised the church for its dedication to spreading the gospel and ensuring lives are transformed through faith.
Lemo testified to the power of prayer within the church, stating, “I want to assure you that God answers prayers here. I am a living witness. If you have been saved, you can still be sanctified, and the power of the Holy Spirit is here and if you have not been saved, God answers prayer here.”
Highlighting the purpose of the choir’s performance, he emphasised that their songs were not for entertainment but for ministering to souls. “The choirs have not come to entertain us. They have come to minister to us. There is a reason why Jesus came, and that investment will be lost if we are lost. We will not be lost in Jesus’ name,” he said.
In a historic note, Lemo celebrated the elevation of Sola Adesope, a member of The Apostolic Faith Church in Nigeria, as the Superintendent General of the church globally—a first in its history.
He congratulated the leadership and urged the congregation to believe in divine possibilities, adding, “God that has done that to you will remember Nigeria. Before our very eyes, we shall witness a new Nigeria”, he added.
The retired banker concluded his speech with a prayer for the continued blessings and spiritual growth of the church while expressing hope for the nation’s rebirth.
