Diocese of Lagos West Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), recently, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, celebrated one of its own Chief Olusegun Oladipo Osunkeye, who clocked 85 on September 7, 2025.
The Thanksgiving Service held in honour of Chief Osunkeye brought the creamof the Nigerian society to the church. Some of them were the former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Jasper Peter Akinola; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Minister for External Affairs and The Guardian Editorial Board member, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, former Governor of Ogun State, IbikunleAmosun, captains of industry, government officials, among others.
Speaking on the topic: “Bless The Lord, O My Soul, And Forget Not His Benefits,” the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, who took his text from Psalm 103:1-5, emphasised the need for Christians to always express gratitude to God in thanksgiving and adoration just like the Psalmist did by recalling God’s numerous blessings on his life.
Earlier before his sermon, Bishop Odedeji had described the celebrant as one of the most celebrated fathers of faith, an outstanding Nigerian, an icon, a captain of industry and the Babalaje of Egbaland.
According to him, the illustrious son of Egbalandsinglehandedly built a chapel in the Bishop’s Court, among others. The cleric noted that the octogenarianhas in different wayscontributed to the growth and development of the Diocese.
The Bishop who noted that he knew Chief Osunkeye when he was a curate in the church, said the Palmist proclaimed the reality of life and urged the celebrant to emulate David, the writer of the book.of Psalms and also to reflect on the good things God has graciously bestowed upon him.
Odedeji said: “This service is a time to take a break and think about life these past 85 years. It is also a service of self-appraisal, a time to look around and remember those who started with you, 85 years ago and how God has been your helper.
Enjoining the celebrant and Christians not to take God for granted, especially in a season of comfort and trials, Odedejinoted that the service was possible because the celebrant had looked back and recalled God’s blessings and interventions in his life all these 85 years.
He said: “Birthdays are divine reminder to look back over the years and see God’s faithfulness, instead of focusing on what you have not achieved. Today is a call to remember what God has done for Pa Osunkeye in the areas of protection, provision, health, opportunities and grace, which God has freely bestowed on him since he began his earthly journey.”
Describing Psalm 103, as a portion of the Bible that constantly reminds Christians to always bless the Lord and honour Him with everything they have, Odedejiadded that the call is not a casual utterance, but a serious call for all Christians.
“You are here today, wearing this beautiful regalia: it is not by power or might, but by God’s provision and allowance. All we have, all we owe, all that is within us are not permitted to leave any aspect of our lives behind. That is why in thanksgiving God expects cash offering, thanksgiving offering, clap offering even before cash offering.”
Odedeji urged the celebrant to know that at 85, there are still more grounds for him to cover for God just like Caleb in the Bible, who requested to cover more grounds for God.
He said: “The Lord that brought you this far will be your God to the very end. Be closer to God now than before; increase your time of fellowship with God, invest your time to read and pray more. Be concerned to what will bring you closer to God. I don’t know what you need that God has not done for you. The rest of your life is very is important to God and to the church.
“When I was a curate here some 30 years ago, people told me that your lifestyle brought them to God’s kingdom. That Pa Osunkeyewas an altar server. He was so humble, he gave us water to wash our hands at the holy table and would come after service with few others to sweep the altar and the house of the Lord. People were saying, ‘if the Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Nigeria Plc, could condescend so low to serve God’ then we must serve God indeed; as you have done this, the Lord will take care of your children. So many people told me how you used your influence to catapult them to where they are today and that is why, today, we celebrate God in your life and everything you have done for us in this Diocese.This diocese is what it is today, by God’s grace and also by your efforts.”
