Encomium
-As he celebrates annual Thanksgiving Day
‘We should all pray for Buhari’, he says
Popular seer, founder and spiritual head, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele has called on all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation, to unite in prayer for ailing president, Muhammadu Buhari.
He said this on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at his annual thanksgiving service, in commemoration of his birthday tagged, The Yearly Week of Appreciation held at the church headquarters, Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos.
The humble clergy specifically enjoined all christian and muslim leaders in the country to embark on rigorous prayers for Buhari’s quick recovery, peace and unity among Nigerians and more. He, however, condemned the incessant killings between christians and muslims in the northern part of the country.
“Nigerians need to pray very well for President Muhammadu Buhari concerning his health. We have said this before now that the president needs to pray for his health. He shouldn’t go for the second term. He will try his best, but he’s not our Messiah.
“This is the time all religious leaders need to unite in prayer for the sake of the president and the unity of the country. It has nothing to do with whether you’re a muslim or christian. God doesn’t recognise any religion. What He wants is love among us. There’s no religion in heaven.
“On the crisis in Southern Kaduna, I don’t want to pass any comment until I visit the place myself. But there’s need for peace between christians and muslims, not only in Southern Kaduna alone, but all over the country. That’s what INRI stands for. If we can invite the whole Sultan of Sokoto to our church, and he sent the Seriki Hausa for the whole of Lagos state, Alhaji Idris Yaro to represent him. So, tell me how else could love and unity be demonstrated between the two religions? Muslims are not killers. It’s Boko Haram insurgents that are threatening the security and unity of Nigeria. They’re terrorists, not muslims as they claim.
“As you all know, we have been sending muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. I have visited mosques, gave them copies of the Holy Qur’an, hijabs for women and all that. That’s what I believe in, not religious discrimination.”
As usual, the famous preacher of the word put smiles on the faces of the less privileged at this year’s annual thanksgiving as a lot of them smiled home with cash and other items while one of the longest serving pastors and followers of the philanthropic clergy, Bamisaiye went home with a brand new car.
Also, two women-Elders Abebi Okediji and Ajebaba Sekinat were presented with free tickets to Jerusalem, Israel for this year’s pilgrimage, while Mrs. Tairat Alaka was also given a ticket for 2017 Hajj billed to be sponsored fully by Alhaji Yaro.
In his remark, Yaro expressed optimism that there won’t be disunity among Nigerians irrespective of our religious or ethnic diversity, while he also commended Primate Ayodele for his kind gesture across christianity and Islam. He, however, enjoined other religious leaders to emulate the Ekiti born man of God.
” I am happy to be here today, and I must commend the primate for what I witnessed. And I will deliver your message to Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’dd Abubakar. It’s something worthy of emulation seeing a pastor extending hands of fellowship to muslims. I am optimistic that there will continue to be unity if we can all extend love to one another irrespective of our ethnic or religious differences.”
Among the major highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards to deserving entertainers and other dignitaries, including Alhaji Abass Akande (Obesere) who electrified the church auditorium with his Asakasa fuji brand to the admiration of the audience. Also honoured was famous actress cum film maker, Funke Etti who also expressed gratitude to God for the honour bestowed on her by the church.
