Once again, some sons and daughters of Moses Orimolade Tunolase and Capt. Abiodun Emanuel, resident in Lagos State, got more than what they bargained for, at least those that participated, when the Lagos State chapter put together the third in the series of its annual seminar, recently.
The event, arguably one of the most attended gathering of Seraphs in the state this year, was tagged: C&S Unification in Lagos State: ‘Introspection, Ideals and Expectation’, and was held at The Holy Church (Ikirun Conference) Mt. Sinai at Wright Street, Ebute Metta, in Lagos Mainland. The one-day event was held on Friday, June 25, 2021 and witnessed a mammoth turn out of Seraphs from all parts of the state.
Recall that as part of its mandate, the Snr. Supt. Apostle Joseph Olatunde Adagba-led Executive of the chapter had taken very seriously education of Seraphs in the state as a priority through interactive seminars and workshops aimed at further enriching the knowledge base of members of the church in the chapter.
With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the seminar committee, led by the chapter‘s chairman, Special Apostle Segun Adio JP, managed to brainstorm on how to stage the event, which was absent last year, no thanks to the pandemic, and also avoid contravening governing directives from the federal and state government on how to forestall the spread of the virus.
To God be glory that that fateful day the event was organised in such a way that participants felt more at home while they all listened with bathed breath to the two Resource Persons that were carefully selected to delve into the evolution of the Lagos State chapter of the Unification Church of Nigeria, right from the days of the United Council of C&S Lagos State.
As early as 8:00a.m on that fateful day, Seraphs from every corners of the state began to arrive the venue of the programme with enthusiasm to learn more about their church, and with the benefit of hindsight, there were not disappointed as they all went home fully fulfilled for a day well-spent.
So, the seminar commenced at 11:00am with C&S Hymn 746 ‘Ojo Nla L’ojo T’Oluwa Da Ijo Serafu Sile,’ with opening prayer said by Primate Oparinde of St. Joseph C&S Church, Ajah.
In a brief welcome address, Ap. Adio, while he commended participants for honouring the chapter’s call to attend the event, also enjoined them to used the occasion to learn more about the metamorphosis of the chapter from inception till date.
General Secretary of the state chapter, Evang. Dr. Rotimi Odugbesan, who compeered the event, was up to the task as he carefully pilot the affairs of the day.
Chairman of the Lagos State chapter, Snr. Supt Apostle Adagba, in his introductory speech, reminded participants of his commitment to elevate on the templates he met on ground by taking as priority, educative and interactive events such as the seminar where Seraphs could bare their minds on matters they feel strongly about and ways to resolving them to the best of the ability of the chapter.
He said the 2021 edition of the seminar had been put together to better inform Seraphs in the state on the rationale and modus operandi behind the activities of the chapter.
He also took time off to educate participants of the need for organising the seminar and also the evolution of the chapter since the United Council of Cherubim & Seraphim Lagos State days.
Apostle Adagba, in his address, called on participants to play positive roles for the progress of the church and also to speak with one voice as a church so that there would be no room or time for separation and dissension among members as we all as sons and daughters of St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase and Capt. Christiana Abiodun Emanuel.
As a true ‘product’ and supporter of the Lagos State chapter, the Secretary General of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Supt. Ap. Dr. Tunde Ogunkunle, who graced the occasion, was also given the floor to address participants with a goodwill message. Apostle Ogunkunle, who commended the organisers of the event for always taking a cue from their parent body in organising events such as the seminar, lauded the chapter for keeping the flag erected by the founding fathers of the chapter flying.
He assured that the National Executive would continue to partner with the chapter on matters meant to further enhance the growth of the Church.
First to present his lecture was a one-time member of the chapter, Special Apostle Pastor Fola Onafuye, who is now the National Supervising Pastor of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church.
Pastor Onafuye, who had been out of the Lagos State chapter for upwards two decades now for ‘national assignment’ though, however, displayed what made him as a man of many parts. Pastor Onafuye, who once headed the Mosan/Okunola local division of the chapter, was truly a teacher as he help his listeners spellbound while he delved into the emergence of the C&S Church in Lagos until its present stage and concluded that the leadership of the chapter had done well in preserving the virtues set before them by their predecessors.
The second lecturer was a former President of the Youth Fellowship of the chapter, now Snr. Apostle Tayo Ajose.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2021/07/19/court-fixes-july-20-to-hear-sunday-igbohos-aides-trial/
Ap. Ajose, who is currently Assistant Secretary General 1 of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, also did justice to the topic given to him, when he also took some time off to delve into the emergence of the C&S Unification Lagos State chapter from the old United Council of C&S Lagos State as it was known at the time.
A man of letters that he is, Apostle Ajose mentioned some of the things in the Constitution of the church that established the Unification Church and make us one. He thereafter went into the ideals and expectations of the Unification from the Lagos State chapter, many of which, he said, were already being done. He charged the leadership of the chapter to strive more attain far more better results in the future.
During the Question and Answer session, the Resource Persons and some notable elders present, together with the chairman of the Lagos State chapter, responded to questions from participants to the best of their abilities. For sure, not a few participants went home fulfilled at the end of the programme.
Some important personalities that graced the occasion included His Grace Most Elder Timothy Oke of New Life Church of C&S; Baba Aladura Henry Odunayo of Palace of Grace C&S Church; Primate Dr. Oladele Akeju of New holy Messiah C&S; Snr. Supt. Apst. Pro. Segun Odufuwa from the C&S Church of Christ ‘The Worshippers’ and Primate Dr. Wole Oyewola of Golden Wonderful C&S Abule-Egba.
Others were Primate J. Ajibade of Holy Spiritual Joyful Church of Mount Zion; Queen Capt. Prophetess I. I. Fashola of Divine Grace of Christ C&S Church Holy Mary; Apostle A. I. Onowomoju of Oke Igbala Wasimi II; CGMP Funmi Litan of Holy Ghost Temple of God Ipaja and Special Ap. Pro. J. A. Onipinla of the New Kingdom Church, Ikotun.
Others that participated in the programme included Snr. Ap. Prophet Ayodele Ogundipe of Mountain of Joy C&S Aladura, Mushin; Rev. Mother E. R. Miller of King of Covenant Spiritual Church; Prophet Kayode J. Adeleye of King of Glory C&S Church, Ebute Metta; Most Snr. Moth. Christiana Olubunmi Okeyemi of Idande Kristi Deliverance Church C&S and His Lordship Elder Apostle Pro. David O. Olaniyan JP.
It was noteworthy that the virtually all chairmen of the various local division were present at the event with many of their delegations as well as heads of the five Wings under the Lagos State chapter.
Some heads of local divisions that participated in the seminar were Pro. M. I. Igbalajobi of Ifako-Ijaiye; Capt. Rev. Ap. Mother T. M. Ogunsola of Mosan/OkunOla; MSA Gen. R. A. Onabolu of Lagos Island local division and Sp. Apostle Olusoji Fabuda of Eti-Osa local division.
Others were DSG Pastor Michael Shonibare, Ag. Chairman of Alimosho local division; Prophet Bolaji Adewunmi JP of Shomolu/Bariga/Oworonshoki local division; Rev. Ap. Ahmed Olaitanof Epe Local Division; Supt. Ap. R. A. Obisanya of Ojokoro Locaol Division; Sp. Apostle M. A. Kusa JP of Badagry Central Local Division and Supt. Apostle Johnson Ogunlana of Ojodu local division.
Other chairmen that were present at the event were Prophetess Dr. Bolajoko Davies JP of Kosofe/Ikeja local division; Rev. Dr. Kehinde Fagbamila of Ikorodu local division; Supt. Apostle Gen. Dr. M. O. T. Ajaga of Mushin local division; Special Apostle J. Klepe JP of Badagry West local division; MSA Bamidele Ogunnowo of Amuwo-Odofin local division; MSA I. O. Ogunseun, vice chairman of Ejigbo local division and led his members while Queen Capt. Oluwayemisi Olabode led participants from Ipaja-Ayobo local division to the seminar.
Also heads of Wings of the chapter that present were Rev. Ap. Mother Dorcas Ogundeji, Chairperson of Good WOkmen Congress and her vice, Supt. Ap. Mother Dorcas Ope Lawal; General S. Adebayo Ologunloluwa, vice Commandant of Army of Salvation also led his team to the seminar, Prophet Kehinde Adeyoju of Council of Prophtess and Prophetesses; Bro. Muyiwa Odedina of the Youth Fellowship and Apostle Opeyemi Aina of the Mass Choir were all there.