It was a celebration galore at the Aiki Memorial Baptist Church Igbojaye in Itesiwaju Local Government, Area of Oyo State, as members and other Christian faithful across the ancient town and beyond trooped out en-masse to witness the 25th anniversary of the church and thanksgiving service, which also featured launching of a book written in honour of late Pastor Joel Durowole Aiki by Evangelist Caleb Ebenezer Oluleye.
The epoch making event, tagged ‘a celebration of very excellent ministerial exploits of late Aiki’ had in attendance of Ministers of God under the leadership of the President,Oke Ogun Baptist Conference, Reverend and Mrs Gabriel Olanrewaju, the Oluigbo of Igbojaye, Oba Zachius Oladimeji, Chairman Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon. Ojo Bolaji Akintola and his wife,Vice Chancellor, Technical University Ibadan, Prof. Sola Ajayi and a Former General Manager, Oyo State Agriculture and Credit Corporation, Mr Bolaji Aiki among others.
In his welcome address, Pastor in charge, Aiki Memorial Baptist Church Igbojaye, Reverend Philip Ogunsola explained the uncommon character of late Joel Durowole Aiki to the people of Igbojaye.
He passionately explained his numerous contributions to the church.
Oluigbo of Igbojaye Oba Zacheaus Oladimeji,Prof Sola Ajayi and the writer of the memoir Evangelist Caleb Ebenezer Oluleye took turns to eulogized late Aiki for his exemplary lifestyle worthy of emulation.
They stressed that the late sage used every means within his reach for the propagation of the gospel of Christ and promoted peaceful co existence among the adherents of the three religions in the area.
The trio extensively spoke on the remarkable attributes of late Aiki as care giver, religious unifier and achiever who prophesied many things while alive, which in due time came to fruition.
The speakers stressed further that the history of Igbojaye is incomplete without mentioning the name of late Joel Durowole Aiki.
They said, he advised parents in the town to send their children to school to acquire western education, which many of them had become personalities of note in their respective disciplines.
They reiterated that, late Aiki’s ministerial activities spanned beyond religious calling, as he used herbs as medicine to treat various health challenges, and which many got sound health as a result of his trado-medical expertise.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Adegoke while speaking on the theme:’ Secret of a growing church’, defined church and examined the expected roles of the church in the society .
He opined that church is not about ordinary building rather, it’s about those who have a rebirth of their souls and living pious life.
He quoted from the Act of Apostle chapter 2 vs 37 to 47 and urged members to grow and live together in kindness and faith.
Dr Adegoke also charged the church members to cultivate the habit of caring for the less privileged.
In their critique of the book, Elder EO Ogunyale,Deacon Dr OO Ogunsola and Mr Sunday Adetunji among others testified to the good deeds of late Aiki and admonished the populace to live an impactful life as a legacy for future generations.
The event had in attendance Rev BO Aderoju of Oore ofe Baptist Church, Okaka and Rev AA Aderoju of the new glory church,Otu among others.
Kaseem Jenrade & Khalid Imran
