February 27, 2021, was a great day in the history of the Diocese of Owo, Owo town, Ondo State and Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, as they welcome the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, His Grace, The Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, for the thanksgiving service in honour of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu as a second term Governor of Ondo State.
The Primate and his entourage, which included his wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev Ali Buba Lamido and the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, the Ven. Paul Dajur were ceremoniously received by the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, the Most Rev (Dr.) Christopher T. Omotunde and his wife, the Diocesan Bishop of Owo, the Rt. Rev (Dr.) Stephen Fagbemi and his wife, Mrs. Florence Ebunoluwa Fagbemi and a number of Bishops, clergy and distinguished laity at the airport, from where they left to Owo town for a grand reception by the Diocese of Owo. Thereafter, the Primate’s convoy moved to the Governor’s residence in Owo, where they were received by the governor, his wife and top government officials.
In a brief service conducted at the Chapel of Epiphany at the Governor’s compound, the Primate gave an exhortation taken from Isaiah 41:8-16 and reminded Governor Akeredolu of God’s love that made it possible for him to be chosen to oversee the state’s affairs for another four years. Ndukuba, who assured him of God’s presence, charged him never to stop serving the Lord, even as he prayed for him.
Governor Akeredolu expressed his delight, when he saw the Primate, his wife and entourage coming to celebrate with him. He told his visitors that the opportunity God gave him to serve the people for the second term was a great one.
Ndukuba also paid a courtesy visit to the Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, Ogunoye III, who was happy to receive them, prayed for more of God’s strength for the Primate. He stated that the primate has always been known for his spirituality, ever before he became Primate. The Monarch also expressed satisfaction with Bishop of Owo, ibru News Ak whom he described as a great ambassador of the Church in all endeavours.
The thanksgiving service for Governor Akeredolu’s second term, which held on February 28, 2021, at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Imola, Owo was attended by 19 Bishops, government functionaries, religious and traditional leaders.
Ndukuba, in his sermon, titled, “Be Overwhelmed with Thanksgiving,” urged the people not to take God’s good deeds for granted. He said: “Many times, we forget where God picked us from, and this propels us to be arrogant.”