Fashola At Dedication, Commends Church, Urges Lagosians To Vote Wisely
FIRST Baptist Church, Ikeja, Lagos dedicated its new ultra modern sanctuary two Sundays ago. The gathering brought together the top echelon of the church made up of the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle, the Conference Presidents, the Senior Pastor of the church and his wife, Rev. (Dr.) and Mrs. Kayode Opadeji, the Church Secretary, Mr. John Joshua Akanji, Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. (Dr.) Mrs. Funmi Akintoye-Braimoh, Dame Emmanuella Fashola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu and members of the church among others.
In his address read on his behalf by Rev. (Dr.) Mrs. Funmi Akintoye-Braimoh, Fashola commended the effort of the Senior Pastor of the church, Rev. (Dr.) Kayode Opadeji, his wife and members of the church for their unalloyed commitment and dedication.
He said: “Having been in existence for over 100 years, the First Baptist Church has impacted positively on lives of the people. Like the proverbial mustard seed, the Church has, in the past century, been providing spiritual guidance to enormous churches within its fold. It is, therefore, understandable to witness the outflow of joy and fulfilment elicited on this occasion.”
The governor reminded the congregation that what makes one a true disciple of Christ is his or her resolve to obey the tenets of the Holy Book, as enunciated by God.
While noting that religion is a vehicle to achieve peace and unity in our society, Fashola called on members of the church to go and collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards and ensure that they vote wisely.
Speaking to newsmen, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle, said: “This is the way living churches grow. It’s an indication that the church is alive because if the church has not been relevant in the community, there would not be need to expand the sanctuary. So, it’s a sign of a church that is alive, a church that is meeting needs, a church of the time. I’m so impressed and happy.”
The Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor Kayode Opadeji, who thanked God for the zeal of his members, said it took them three years to build the new sanctuary of about 1, 500 worshippers.
The church also used the occasion to give awards to deserving members.
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