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Tag: vineyard

  • In the vineyard

    In the vineyard

    During the 1st Session of the 33rd Synod, the Diocese of  Lagos Anglican Communion held an Episcopal Awards Ceremony at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, TBS, Lagos to climax the four-day activity. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    The Lagos Diocese is the oldest in the country and many workers in the vineyard of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) return there for one business or the other.

    So it was from May 1to 4, when the church held its 1st Session of the 33rd Synod with the theme: Marks of the Church. At the opening service were 22 bishops and the following day, 36 Bishops were present to chat and take decisions about the future of the church and country.

    Activities were wrapped up with a lot of praise music, dance and merrymaking, when the church held its Episcopal Awards Ceremony.

    Clergymen were honoured at the event. They include: Diocesan Bishop of Ideato and Archbishop of Owerri, Rev Caleb Maduoma; Bishop of Ibadan North, Rev Segun Okubadejo; Bishop of Ijebu North, Rev Solomon Gbetogo Kuponu; Bishop of Awori, Rev Johnson Akinwamide Atere; Diocesan Bishop of Awka, Rev Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim and Retired Bishop of Ifo, Rev Joseph Akinyemi Odejide.

    Deserving individuals were  also recognised, for their outstanding contribution to the development of the  church and country. They were: legal luminary Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Chief Tunde Afolabi among other church workers and philanthropic individuals.

    Others were: Ven Olumuyiwa Oyewole; Sir Clement Okeowo; Dr Ebi Omatsola; Chief Tunde Alabi, who offered scholarships to numerous students; Mr Emmanuel Olukoga; Mrs Funke Familoni; Dr Eric Sibeudu who gave free medical services to inmates; Bishop Ademowo’s Personal Assistant Mr Tunde Oyebiyi; Diosesan Account Officer, Mr J.A Oyapidan and Mrs Ruth Alabi.

    The ceremony began with hymns, prayers and the address by the Archbishop of Lagos, Rev Adebola Ademowo, who read reports of the churches under his dioceses and their achievements in the past year. He also gave the reason for the selection of the awardees and lauded them for their work, adding that the Bishops were picked across board, having a very strong link with the Diocese of  Lagos. He also said the award was to encourage people to give back to the church and serve without counting the cost.

    Ademowo advised all present to keep serving God, as He remains the greatest rewarder of those who diligently serve Him.

    Rev Maduoma, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, thanked the church for identifying their services. He expressed delight that the honour is a sign of what God will do for them later after their earthly labour. He said he was ordained priest in 1980 and became Bishop in 1999.

    “Today we are getting a bit of our heavenly reward and this is an encouragement to all to work hard.”

    Rev Odejide, who served in the Lagos Diocese decades ago and was Assistant Synod secretary for 12 years, had retired four years ago. He excitedly told The Nation he will still remain active in the work of God till death and advised the younger priests to be loyal, responsible and behave like shepherds who have been called to serve.

  • Perennial flooding: Oke Afa community sends SOS to Lagos state govt

    Perennial flooding: Oke Afa community sends SOS to Lagos state govt

    Given its name, Peace Home Valley Estate, Oke Afa, Isolo, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos state, should be synonymous with tranquility and comfort. But the reverse is the case considering the perennial flooding that afflicts the community yearly and is threatening to send the residents packing from their homes.

    For residents of Esther Ibekwe, Azombe, Omololu Fatumbi, Sam Chuks, Vineyard and Ase streets in the estate, it has been a continuous battle with the challenge of perennial flooding for years now. Adding to the issue of torrential rainfall is the flood water pouring from nearby places such as Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Ejigbo, Bucknor and environs coupled with other adjoining areas with drains directed towards the community.

    The heavy flooding from about four CDAs which empties into the Valley Estate is making life unbearable for the residents. Most often, houses are submerged and people have had to abandon their houses at various times until the flood water receded.

    The roads leading to various streets are completely inaccessible such that to navigate through, many residents resort to using rain boots while many others simply swim across to get in or out of their houses. Economic activities and movements are hampered. During the last rainy season, the problem was so serious that in some homes, the flood caused havoc leading to lose of properties and other valuables.

    Seeking relief to the problem, the embattled community has written several letters to the relevant authorities all to no avail. The Chairman of the CDA, Mr Omololu Fatumbi in a chat, noted that initially, before the problem got to this unbearable level, the state Ministry of Environment had raised their hopes of alleviating the problem by bringing in a swamp burger which started the construction of the earth channel from the Bucknor bridge but because of a contravention, it became imperative to realign the map.

    The construction project of the proposed earth channel has not been dug neither has there been any effort from the relevant agency again. According to Fatumbi, the issue at hand is not new to the government. It is an ongoing thing but since the project stopped, the situation has got worse since it was supposed to collect water from the four different CDAS.

    The implication is that the community is heavily under pressure such that even if it is a mere drizzle, the flood level is unimaginable.Sir Ikechukwu Ezeonyeka, Chairman, drainage, flooding and development committee of the Estate said that they have written many letters to both the local and state governments proposing the need for the construction of a permanent canal and exit route for all the flooded areas around all the CDAs affected by the flood since the only route that takes it to the primary canal is through Esther Ibekwe street, which is very narrow. All efforts and dialogue at the local government level didn’t yield any positive result.

    Determined to find a lasting solution to their dilemma, Ezeonyeka stated that the residents took their case to the Lagos state government. “The authorities had put a plan in place which includes a map known as the secondary earth channel which is meant to connect the Oke Afa and Bucknor Bridge down to the primary canal at Oke Afa canal but because the earth channel has not been developed, the problem persists,” he said.

    He disclosed that having taken the matter to Lagos state Ministry of Environment at Alausa, the authorities came and took a survey of the canal route as well as identifying and marking possible blockage structures with a view of finding lasting solutions to the perennial problem.

    Investigations show that the survey assessed some structures as major obstructions to the construction of the canal, making the government resolve to demolish the affected structures to pave way for the successful implementation of the project.

    Lamenting the plight of the community, John Ayalogu, a resident and Secretary of the drainage and development committee stated: “We have been on a perennial battle as regards the issue of flooding and development in this area.

    We are suffering here, people are dying. The fear of epidemic is just by our doors. We are pleading with the government to come and assist us to solve this critical problem before disaster strikes and we are all swept away by flood.

    Mrs Ifeoma Mozie, another resident, lamented the menace of the heavy flood. “Many times, my house has come under intense pressure on account of this disaster. When it rains, I would pump water with the aid of a pumping machine for days on end to avert my entire family and household being swept off by the heavy flood.

    I am pleading with the Lagos state government to come to our aid at the Peace Valley Estate. Our children are at risk of being swept off by the flood when they go to school. To compound the situation, economic activities have practically come to a halt because of this problem,” she said.

  • Moving forward in His Vineyard

    Moving forward in His Vineyard

    With their Bibles and hymn books, members of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion) gathered at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral to celebrate their 15th anniversary, writes AMIDU ARIJE

    Armed with their Bibles, the clergymen, in white robs moved gingerly into the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral for what a layman would take for a show. But it was not.

    A routine church service? No! It was the 15th anniversary of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion). The clergymen came in their hundreds, with their wives and laymen from all the churches in the diocese. On the diocesan field were many vehicles, including church buses. The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev James Olusola Odedeji, wore the mitre and his full robe with the crosier on his left hand.  He radiated joy all day. The activities marking the 15th anniversary of the diocese began with a crusade titled three-day End of the Year Annual Triumphant Convention Crusade” The theme was “Going Forward.”

    The processional hymn was taken as the Bishop and other clergymen gained entrance into the church.

    The choirs ensured there was no dull moment for the commencement of the ceremony till the end of it.   The reading of the Old Testament from Malachi 2:1-16 was taken by Pheola Caulcrick while Rev Kunle Oluwadimite took the Gospel Luke 17:20-37. All followed with applauds.

    At intervals, the diocesan choir dished out songs to increase the conviviality of the day. This further showed that it was not the usual Sunday service.  Everyone was relaxed and in ceremonial mood all through.

    The Hymn Church Hymnal 623 that which was led by the choirs set the tone. It was really exciting.

    A sermon was delivered by the Archbishop of Kaduna Province and Bishop of Kebbi Diocese, Most Rev Edmund Akanya.

    Rev Akanya urged Christians to remain faithful to the Lord.

    He reminded the congregation of how God saved the children of Israel form their enemies and urged them to remain focused and hopeful of God’s wonders in their lives.  Akanya quoted Joel 2:23-27 to back up his points.

    After delivering the sermon, the congregation shouted the praises of God and clapped to appreciate the witty sermon of the clergy man.

    The Nicene Creed and intercession followed with offertory Hymns from Ch 679, 559 and 566.

    Rev Odedeji who anchored the communion session took off his green regalia and the mitre as he consecrated the bread. He thereafter asked all members for the Holy Communion. It was orderly done as the ushers ensured that the clergymen were first to receive the communion followed by other members of the Diocese. They all moved down the altar to be served the bread and the wine. There was solemn music while this lasted.

    A post Communion prayer was made conducted by the Bishop. The prayer ‘As our Saviour taught us, so we pray’ was said by all.

    Then followed thanksgiving service based conducted on zonal basis; all of the zones that make up the Diocese presented their offerings at the altar amidst pomp. After all the zones had presented their offerings, Bishop Odedeji and his were not left out of the thanksgiving and the entire Church rose to give honour to their leader. It was like a dancing competition while the thanksgiving service lasted.

    After this, the Bishop announced the appointment of new officers to take care of some departments in the diocese. Among the appointees were Diocesan Chaplain for the Women Organisations, Ven Sunday Ogini, Ven Emeka Nwosu in charge of visit to hospitals and prisons.

    In his vote of thanks, Rev Odedeji thanked God and members of the church for their unflinching supports towards the success of the event.

    Having taken the closing prayer and Episcopal blessing, the Diocesan anthem was taken as the curtain of the programme was drawn with the Bishop leading the recession of clergymen out of the church.

    Why did the diocese consider it necessary to roll out the drums in celebration? Rev Odedeji said for 15 years the Diocese, had been from strength to strength. He said the Diocese had grown numerically.

    “It has been wholesome, God has used my predecessor to double the strength of the diocese; numerically, we have expanded. We started with about 100 churches, today we have more than 300 even after two new Dioceses had been created from this  and we are still very strong and formidable,” he said.

    The point had earlier been made by the Preacher, Rev. Akanya,who observed that he accepted to come to participate in the celebration because of the unique place of the Diocese in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). He pointed out that the Diocese has since overtaken much older ones and is a pride of all Anglicans in Nigeria.

  • Working in God’s vineyard

    Members of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State chapter, went for a three-day retreat with the theme: “On eagles’ wings’ at Ifewara in Ife East Local Government Area of the state. One of them, OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts) reports.

     

    When they converged on the Students’ Union building car park, their colleagues, who were rushing to lectures, thought they were going on a protest. The crowd built up to about 700 students. Then, buses arrived to convey them to the Ifewara camp ground, where they were going to “work and labour” for God.

    It was this year’s edition of The Redeemed Christian Fellowship Workers’ Retreat. The three-day event is held yearly by a joint assembly of subgroups and bodies in the fellowship to serve God and to improve their spiritual weaknesses.

    The students were received at the Bethlehem Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ifewara, Osun State. The President of the fellowship, Elijah Oyewole, said the theme for the retreat, On eagles’ wings, was commissioned by God through a revelation he received at the beginning of his tenure. “It is revelation that got to do with vision and focus. Soaring on eagles’ wings is not in our power but to operate in the utmost grace,” Elijah explained.

    Members of the fellowship gathered at the camp to consecrate their souls; they held prayers for hours.

    Zacchaeus Adedokun, former president of the fellowship, spoke to the participants. He stressed the need for believers to be sensitive and move in consonant with the word of God. He noted that soaring on eagle’s wings was not for angels but men.

    Afterwards, the students rose in prayers for the country. They prayed for peace in all troubled spots in Nigeria and beyond. “Lord, let your peace reign,” they chorused.

    To refresh the atmosphere of spiritual warfare, the fellowship’s choir group led the congregation into the presence of God with gospel music. Ministers were moving round to listen to members on issues affecting their wellbeing as Christians and students.

    The participants relaxed for four hours, after which another round of prayer was held.

    The fellowship’s Bible Study Secretary, Ayodele Olusola, took the participants on lesson of stewardship.

    Reading from Luke 16:1-13 and 2Timothy 2:3, Ayodele charged the students to be alive to their responsibilities and be stewards in the vineyard of God.

    “Some of us might be standing but still idle. The heartbeat of God at this time is for us to stretch ourselves for Him while holding the fort. We should work for Him with the understanding that we are working for our Father,” he charged.

    A participant, Oluwasegun Allen, 300-Level Architecture, said: “I am so glad to be a worker in God’s vineyard. I felt God’s presence and love during the retreat.”

    Adetola Adeeko described the retreat as refreshing moment in the presence of God. “I encountered the power of God in a new dimension, most importantly, the expository messages on the theme,” he said.