Archbishop Odubanjo urges Christians to move closer to God

Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Luke Odubanjo, has urged Nigerians to praise God in all circumstances.

He stated this while speaking to newsmen at the 2018 Festival of Hymns and Canticles, an annual musical event of the Lagos Methodist Archdiocese, at Methodist Church City Mission Circuit, Surulere, Lagos.

“When you are happy in the presence of God and God is happy with us, that is when we will record victory wherever we go and this festival is to ensure that the people of God return to the basis and the basis is the Creator, God Almighty,” Odubanjo said.

In his remarks on the occasion, Lagos West Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Right Reverend Sunday Ogunlere, said the annual event, organised by the Lagos Diocese of Methodist Musical Society, was to bring alive the original church rhythms and choruses, particularly those that were popular with Methodist Churches, noting that the trend had brought back some of their members that had left for other churches.

ALSO READ: I will revisit 13% derivation —Buhari

Director of Evangelism of the Methodist Archdiocese of Lagos, Reverend Samuel Ajayi, said the 2018 Festival of Hymns and Canticles, with the theme: Singing in Spirit, was proposed to convey the Methodist Church choir across the Archdiocese of Lagos and train them the real essence of the church’s music.

The 2018 Festival of Hymns and Canticles was dedicated to Sir Adekunle Oyedipe, a renowned songs writer and organist.

At this year’s event, 18 Methodist Churches were represented, with dignitaries in attendance, including bishops, reverends, organists, and choir masters, while a former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Afolabi Olumide, who is an ex-organist of the church.