Apostles of Peace Society, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Isolo, has given a Peace Award to the Deputy Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Omotayo Odutan. She is hence admitted into the League of Awardees of the church.
The initiator and National President of the society, Siyanbola Oladapo described Odutan, who is the 2016 recipient of the award as a friendly, free-minded and peace-loving woman who, according to him, is a sister and friend to the church. He added that the Deputy Chief Whip beat six other equally important and very influential nominees to bag this year’s award.
“By this award ma, even as you continue to champion the cause of peace, God shall look mercifully upon you and promote you beyond your expectation such that you shall also serve the nation at the federal level,” he said.
In his address delivered during the 18th Anniversary Dinner in Lagos, Oladapo said the apostles of peace was a society that champions the course of peace both at homes, the nation and the world in general.
He said the society was made up of philanthropic professionals.
He noted that Nigeria and the world at large needed peace at this moment of turbulence, religious intolerance, insurgency, ISIS devilish penetration and dominance, terrorism, Boko Haram nuances, unemployment-induced crimes, religious organisations being influenced by the worldly things instead of things of the spirit, economic catastrophe and other phenomena that point to the emergence of anti-Christ.
According to him, the society has not folded its hands, adding that apart from spiritual efforts; the national body had set up a committee to organise a peace lecture that would feature a leading Muslim organisation founder and another influential Christian cleric where we shall attempt to proffer solutions to religious intolerance and encourage harmonious living among people of this nation and the world.
“The Hausa of Mile 12, the Ijaws, the road transport union, politicians, civil organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious leaders and student union leaders, among others, shall air their views at the event. Everyone should support the initiative which would come up soon,” he said.
He said the society was committed to facilitating conflict resolution and it’s guided by what he described as the church’s five way test; which include: will it glory God, is it Christ like, will it bring peace to the body of Christ, will it contribute to the growth of the church and will it bring peace to the body of Christ?
He said the church undertakes programmes that would cater for the well-being of all retired men of God, ensures food bank for the less-privileged people on monthly basis, life-touching projects for communities, including water.
Others were medical screening and treatment, peace grant/scholarship to indigent but poor students, tracts and sponsorship of religious pragrammes, care for the elderly, economic empowerment, worship sanctuary projects, peace club; deliberate stabilising initiatives in churches where we have chapters, youth development and write-ups on conflict resolution.
Responding, Hon. Odutan said she would appreciate award that would bring about the enhancement of God’s work, adding that every award had its significance.
“I don’t receive award anyhow, but I always appreciate any award that would bring about the enhancement of God’s work. I have been coming for their anniversaries though quietly. Out of the six of us nominated, I emerged the winner. The award is a very significant one, and I really appreciate it,” she said.
“It gives me joy to give to people and enhance their well-being. Each and every one of us has a role to play too. My own role is to help people and identify with the church it her philanthropic projects,” she said.
She said she would want to be remembered as somebody that put smiles on the faces of so many people. It is not how many houses you built but when you contribute to the well-being of fellow humankind, the legacy you leave behind lives after you.
She challenged other women who are interested to join politics, adding that they would be mentored.
“Women must first of all evaluate themselves to know if they can do it, do I want to do it and am I capable of doing it?” she said.
