The menace that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has become was on full display yet again on Saturday, September 14, when commuters and motorists were trapped for several hours on that stretch of road, as vehicles on both sides of the road were stuck in heavy gridlock.
Many commuters caught up in the traffic (especially those coming into Lagos) had to make the rest of the journey on foot, walking several kilometers to Ibafo where they could get a bus to take them through the rest of their journeys, while they receive the bashing of their lives from the menacingly scorching sun.
Among those caught up in that logjam were several hundreds of immaculately clad members of Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria (the umbrella body of all C&S churches) who were heading for the Seraphim Land of the organisation at Asese village, Maba.
A few hundred members of the church, who had left Lagos early that day were, however, lucky not to be caught up in the traffic gridlock and made it quite early to the venue of the event.
Being 88 years ago that the church was established, members trooped out in large number to thank God for His mercies on the church and its members as a whole.
The event of that Saturday actually was the grand finale of week-long activities to celebrate the birth of the church. With members of the church from across Nigerian and from the Diaspora assembled for the once-ina- year event, the venue of the anniversary was, to say the least, rapturous, as they all raised their voices in appreciation for making the event a reality.
The only lesson for the anniversary was read by Special Apostle Adebayo Bodunrin, chairman of Dakkibiyu District of the C&S Movement Church, Abuja. In his sermon at the ceremony, Rev. Dr. Lekan Akintayo, thanked God for His mercies on the church these past eighty-eight years. Rev. Akintayo, however, challenged church leaders to redouble their efforts to achieve sustained growth of the Word. Quoting extensively from the scriptures, Rev. Akintayo also tasked religious leaders to continue to pray for the unity and progress of the country.
In his address to members of the church, Supreme Head, His Most Eminence, Abel Olujimi Akinsanya, tasked members of the church to 'audit our spiritual life,' and "note for action those challenges currently facing the church of God and reposition yourself so that you can impact positively thereon," Baba Aladura Akinsanya said.
One of the highpoints of the 88th anniversary of the church was the display of members of the Army of Salvation Band from virtually all constituent member churches of the unification, lightening up the arena with accurate march past, as elders of the church took their salute as they marched past the dais. The 88th Seraphim Day organising committee also stole the show when they got approval to present award plagues to deserving church and agencies of the church whose contributions towards the event were immeasurable.
The award winners were the Good Women Congress of Lagos State chapter; Messiah Church of C&S, Ogba and Praying Band of the Sacred C&S Church, Mushin, respectively.
Speaking with reporters at the occasion, Special Apostle Olusesi Sowande, Chairman of National Executive Council of the unification enjoined Nigerians to move closer to God and pray ceaselessly to Him in the face of the current economic and security challenges confronting the country today. Said he, "It is a fact that Nigeria is currently facing a lot of challenges both from the security and economic fronts, but in all these, our Lord tells that we still have hope to surmount whatever challenges we are faced with. That is why we have dedicated a part of this service, as we also do every time in our various churches, to praying for the nation and its political leaders for God to give them the wisdom and understanding to lead us aright," Sowande said.
Chairman of the Ceremonies and Planning Committee (C&APC), orgnaisers of the 2013 anniversary, Apostle Richard Oluwole Awosika, while welcoming Seraphs to the occasion, though thanked the leadership of the church for their tireless efforts at charting a new course for the church, he however, enjoined the teeming members to rededicate themselves to the service of God.
As the church marches on to another year full of hope and aspiration for the 89th anniversary, members could only hope for a better future in spiritual growth and abundance of blessings.
