Sanwo-olu’s wife, Sport minister partner Baptist Church on expansion project

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Fifty six-year old Ikate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos on Sunday held a breakfast luncheon weekend to raise money for the development and expansion of its premises.

The Chairman of the ‘Expansion Committee,’ Ayo Opadokun, said the project became necessary because of insufficient parking space and a church extension for children and teenagers.

The church minister, Rev. Jide Adetutu, urged members and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with their resources for the church development.

The facilitators of the event were Minister of Youth and Sport, Sunday Dare, who was represented by his aide, Rotimi Alo, and Lagos State Governor’s wife Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Cecelia Salako. The luncheon was moderated by Toba Daramola.

Other dignitaries were former lawmaker Oladele Adekanye, who was represented by Abayomi Thomas, Kayode Omiyale, chairman of Mainland Council, Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, Eniola Akintunde of Cancer Foundation, Jide Modele and Abayomi Amosun.

Welcoming them, a church elder, Deacon Oyelskin Arogundsde, reminded the congregation of the theme for the year, ‘Running The Race,’ urging them to run a good race on earth to win the ultimate crown.

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He said the church, which is affiliated with the Baptist Convention, will remain devoted to evangelism.

The first day said she would continue to hold religion and the church in high esteem, advised members to obey the rules of hygiene to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Opadokun likened the expansion project to the expansion of God’s Kingdom on earth.

He said: “The church was founded in 1964. The church is 56 years old. The founding fathers of the church have gone to the great beyond. The land they could secure could only accommodate the church and the mission house.

“The church council is considering the expansion of the church so that our spiritual endowment can expand. The building next to the church had been offered for sale. The church wants to buy it.”

Opadokun added: “The church has no parking space. Vehicles of members parked outside the premises have been vandalised during vigil. The children also need a space for spiritual meetings.

“We want to do what Nehemiah did in the history of Jews. When the building is acquired, surveyors, architects and engineers will reconfigure the space so that we can have a parking lodge.”)