The Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has spurred the Anglican Church and the larger Christendom not to get weary in preaching the gospel of Christ for the salvation of mankind.
He gave the charge while addressing the 3rd session of the 35th Synod of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion, on Monday.
Represented by Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to Lagos State Government at the Synod, Sanwo-Olu also enjoined Nigerians to keep praying for the success of the Bola Tinubu administration in its undaunted strive for the all-round reforms of the country.
In his short response to the governor’s speech before seeing off the state entourage to the Synod, the RT. Revd Ifedola Gabriel Okupevi, the President of Synod and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos described Sanwo-Olu as “the smartest governor of Smart Lagos” whose pacesetting strides in the state are visible.
Speaking to the theme of the Synod: Preach The Word, Be Prepared In Season And Out Of Season (II Tim Chapter 4v 2-5), Okupevi advocated that Christians, Anglicans in particular, should revert to and embrace the old-time religion as an effective panacea to the barrage of social and spiritual challenges facing today’s world.
Okupevi observed with concern that “In our present world, the need for divine intervention, or at least the longing for it, is more keen than perhaps at any other time in recent memory.”
“This sentiment, widely shared among diverse communities, stems from a confluence of formidable challenges that strain the very fabric of global society. The complexities of these issues; coupled with their interconnectedness, paint a picture of a world grappling with trials on multiple fronts, seeking solace and solutions that seem often beyond merely human capabilities.”
The cleric made particular reference to the global challenges of drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, increasingly volatile weather conditions, wildfires, and other environmental crises, the repercussions of which are quite profound in terms of ecological destruction and their socioeconomic impact as they displace populations and exacerbate food and water scarcity.
Apart from the delegation of the Lagos State Government that graced the 35th Synod of the Diocesan Lagos, other dignitaries at the ongoing program included Chief Wole Olanipekun, the reputed constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo, a former Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and his wife, Oluranti. The Alara of Ilara, Oba Olukoyede Ogunsanwo who is well recognised and respected for his generous outreach to the Church and his zeal and passion for the expansion of the gospel was also in attendance.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Revd Martins Adewale who was also present, hailed the Anglican Communion for her liberal approach to Christianity and the Gospel of Christ; adding that the Catholic Church would always be ready to be part of the Episcopal activities of the Anglican Church in the continued spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these end times.
Archbishops, Bishops, and laities innumerable from dioceses across Nigeria are physically present at the Synod.
Messages of solidarity also flooded the webinar screen from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other climes of the world in celebration of the yearly epic programme.
