The newly inaugurated Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Father Anselm Olufemi Ologunwa has made known his readiness to put all his God given talents and gifts into good use to drive the development of the association in Ondo State.
Ologunwa made this assertion while speaking in Akure on Saturday 29th of January 2022 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Event Centre during the inauguration of the new executive members that will run the association for the next five years.
The event commanded attention of stakeholders from across different states of the federation, like the president of CAN in Nigeria, Rev (Dr.) Ayokunle, represented by Rev (Dr) Testimony Onifade and a host of others.
In his speech, the new chairman said: “Today, 29th January, 2022 begins another history in the life of Christianity in Ondo State as I, with the other executives are charged with responsibilities of serving the Special Gifts and Talents of all and sundry that no one else can give but God alone.
“Looking ahead of the assignment before me, informs me that, I am about working out, following the footsteps of my predecessors and building on it, in collaboration with God’s grace and his people, the way that God asks us to become fully the person He created us to be, the mission of loving others as God loves us, so that all may be one.
“With the above mission in my mind and focus of this organization, I want to clearly say that we all have a unique mission to make God known through our words and actions. As we are to show his love to others, we are called to follow and serve the Lord in ourselves and neighbour.
Ologunwa also stressed the need to reappraise their focus and mission in words and actions towards meeting the yearnings of humanity saying that nothing makes life sweeter than making people happy.
He added that: “Our world needs healing and comfort, our nation needs care, love and peace, our families and societies need to bring back the standard of moral values and individually, we all need the strength to do the will of God.
“Our job then is not about finding the right person but creating the right relationship. To my dear colleagues, and the executives, thank you for accepting this responsibility placed on our shoulders. It is not how we care in the beginning, but how much we care till the very end.
“Please know that we have to search for a good heart, not to search for a beautiful face. As you may agree with me, beautiful things are not always good, but good things are always beautiful.
In the same way, he commended Dr. John Ayo Oladapo and his team for their selfless services to God and humanity, and the transition committee led by Apostle Z.B Adeboriota therefore calling for their support as he is set to steer the leadership of the association for the next five years.
Ologunwa also used to medium to charge all the Bloc leaders, WOWICAN, YOWICAN and entire Christ faithful in Ondo State not to relent in their support for the leadership of CAN in the state saying that God will reward then in due time.
In his valedictory speech, the immediate past chairman the association, Rev (Dr.) John Ayo Oladapo appreciated support he got from all the stakeholders in the state for the past six years of his leadership in CAN.
He said: “We thank God for the successful completion of our tenure that started on 29th of January, 2016, when we came on board we met N5000 in the purse of the association and by the grace of God we have clear all the debts we inherited and we pay our dues regularly to the national and south west of CAN. So far we have paid over N3 million.
“Our achievements include regular local government meeting, review of CAN bye-law, registration of churches, awards and recognition of outstanding personalities, production of portraits of past chairmen of CAN and completion of CAN House phase one.
In his charge, the Bishop of Catholic Ondo Diocese, Bishop Jude Arogundade, said the world need good leadership at this critical time in the history of the world, more also in the history of our country and our state and that they should devote themselves to the set of values that identify them as leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria.
“I will like to encourage them to stay focus for there is a purpose for every appointment so I want to encourage them to identify their purpose and carry it out faithfully. They should endeavour to fight for course of justice, course of order and peace.
He pointed that CAN members are called to Christian values and virtues that will make people recognize them.
Arogundade charged Nigerians both Christians and Muslims to stand by their values to make Nigeria a better country of our dream.
In his good message, the Royal Father of the occasion and Chairman Christian Oba in Ondo State, Alara of Ilara-Mokin, Oba Aderemi Adefehinti prayed that God will help them to meet the herculean task of leading the association and charged them in the same way to live up to expectations.
Adefehinti also used to medium to charge all Christian to show their light in politics and governance of the country saying they should not leave it in the hand of ungodly.
Abiyesi Francis Kehinde Alabi, Olujaro of Ijaro community congratulated Rev Ologunwa for his election and expressed confidence in his quality leadership saying that he is going to perform beyond expectations.
He also used the occasion to call for the support of all Christians in the state for him to enable him succeed in his tenure of office.
Senior Apostle (Prince) Francis Adetosoye, Chairman of Ondo State OAIC congratulated the new leaders of CAN in the state and charged them to be righteous so that they can take the association to the next level.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who was represented by his SSG, Princess Oladunni Odu commended the prayers of CAN in the state and charged them to do more under the new leadership.
In their comments, Apostle Z.B Adeboriota and Deaconess Grace Kehinde Ademokoya, WOWICAN chairperson in Ondo State are among others that received awards at the occasion.
They dedicated their awards to God and promised to do more for God and humanity for the purpose of great and eternal rewards.