The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and a commissioner at the Federal Civil Service Commission and former Head of Service, Ogun State, Princess Iyabode Odulate, have called on the church to continue to build leaders that would impact the society for good.

They made this call during the recognition of service and awards of Knighthood for Princess Odulate, who represented Ogun and Lagos states at the Federal Civil Service; the wife of Oyo State Governor, Olufunke Makinde; the President, Men Fellowship of the Church in Ibadan, Dr. Motunrayo Ajao; and 105 others.

The event, which took place at the Wesley Cathedral Church, Elekuro, Ibadan, also witnessed 81 people becoming the Knight of John Wesley (KJW), six received Knight of Charles Wesley (KCW), while 22 became Officer of the Order of the Wesley (OOW) and 20 received Member of the Order of the Wesley (MOW).

Makinde, who was represented by his Executive Assistant on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, said there is a need to encourage more voices in the church and the community for the betterment of the society.

The governor said: “The church still needs to be more visible and more outspoken when it comes to standing for righteousness in our society and I believe it is as a result of the commitment of faithful men who keep emphasising for the place for righteousness that people are doing what is acceptable in our nation. So, we still need to encourage more voices within the church community to speak, to call people to order, to enhance and raise the standard among the people, because it is only righteousness that exalts a nation.”

Odulate, who is also a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ogun State said: “The church should mentor and build leaders out there. We have a lot of people who still believe in the clergy, and for them they have the opportunity of shaping the lives of so many people; it has not got to the stage that people don’t listen to them.

“In that way, I want the church to be proactive, don’t look at them as youth, it is the youths of today that will become the elders of tomorrow. If we do not mould them in the right way, they will turn to something else.

So, I am appealing to the church not to give up, they should continue to preach the gospel and evangelise; going everywhere and bringing worthy ambassadors to the fold of God.

“I believe in the youth of this country and I will forever continue to encourage them wherever I find myself,” she added.

Dr. Ajao enjoined the church to continue to play the role of taking care of the society and supporting humanity.

The Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, in his sermon titled: “Reward For Good Work Is More Work,” urged the awardees to use themselves for kingdom business and do more.

The Bishop urged them to provide good leadership anywhere they found themselves and also to use their position to glorify God.

Reminding them that whatever they do for God will never go in vain, the cleric maintained that the time of reward would come, adding that all should be heaven-bound.