UI names Ositelu, Alao, others church history academy fellows

Ogunkilede Joshua

The University of Ibadan has on Monday honoured the Supreme Head of The church of the Lord, His Holiness, Most Revd Okikiola Ositelu (PhD); along side with the Supreme Head of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence, Dr Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao JP; and 92-year-old Professor of Church History from Scotland, Andrew Walls.

They were, among others, inducted as Distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Church History and Missiology (NACHAM).

The Nigerian Academy of Church History and Missiology is an integral part of the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.

The Vice Chancellor of the 71-year-old university, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka, who welcomed the awardees and their entourage emphasised the importance of religion in nation-building and urged the church to continually pray for the country.

Prof Olayinka, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Adebola Ekanola, urged the religious leaders to pray for the university, noting that the establishment of UI was divine and this was well emphasised by the school anthem.

Other religious leaders honoured include the National Vice President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor (Dr) Emmanuel Segun Awojide JP, and President Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor (Dr) Abraham Olukunle Akinosun (JP).

Setting the tone for the prestigious award, the Head of Department, Religious Studies and National President of the Academy, Prof Samson Adetunji Fatokun, said, “We are today going to induct the carefully selected national leaders of Nigerian initiated churches of the earliest 20th-century origin as ‘Distinguished Honorary Fellows’ of the Academy. Historically evaluated, the four selected Nigerian instituted churches have in their formative years in the country, significantly played pivotal roles (without the physical presence of any white missions with them), in laying the foundation for indigenous Pentecostal Christianity in the Nigerian church which in turn ignited the flame of ‘Spirit-Renewal Movement as we have all over the country today.”

He continued, “The honorees are, “indeed men of ‘timber and calibre’ who have significantly contributed through their respective church denominations to the advancement of Nigerian indigenous Christianity both in African countries and overseas, as evident in their numerous branches outside Nigeria with striking Nigeria indigenous identities.”

Prof Fatokun also pleaded with the governments at the state and federal level to do more in alleviating the suffering of the people and do all to fight corruption in the country.

He also pleaded with religious leaders to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to fight corruption and make the country better.