Awo’s virtues extolled as posthumous birthday holds in Ikenne-Remo

The Vicar of Our Saviours Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo, Venerable Samuel Enike, on Monday, pointed out that all the legacies of the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in all areas of human endeavours, would remain indelible in the nation’s history.

He said this during his sermon at the Holy Communion/Thanksgiving Service  to mark the 30th Posthumous and 108th birthday anniversary of Awolowo, held at the Family Chapel, Ikenne-Remo.

The cleric spoke on the theme “Living for Christ” and chose his text from the Holy Book as recorded in Colossians 2:6-7.

Enike noted that the free education policy initiated by Chief Awolowo had afforded countless Nigerians opportunity to be educated.

“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of a man who in his own time used every resource to benefit humanity. That is why I said earlier, that we all belong to the Awolowo family.  If you are not biologically related, what about what we have all gained from his legacies.

“There are people who would have become carpenters or farmers using crude implements somewhere, but because of educational policy at that time,  they were able to acquire quality education.

“Chief Obafemi Awolowo has left a legacy, he has left a foot prints on the sands of time. The cleric rhetorically asked: “What are you living for? Are you living to be remembered for good or bad?”

He further said that many leaders in the country had failed to etch their names in history, because of selfish gains, by not impacting on humanity.

He said: “Many people are living today for themselves. Many people are living for their family. Living for themselves because of what they can acquire from public resources.

“It is mind boggling when you hear the amount of resources very few individuals steal from our common patrimony. They acquire these resources by illegal means at the detriment of the whole nation.”

He submitted that the one of the solutions to the challenges confronting the country is for the people to have a heart of God by helping humanity.

“The only solution to our challenges is living for Christ. He is the one that is limitless. We must live for Christ in the midst of any challenge and we will overcome,” Enike said.

The chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, in her vote of thanks on behalf of the Awolowo dynasty, said his late father was used by God to serve Nigeria.

She was full of praises to God for his good works,  which according to her are being appreciated always.

“This is the day, the month and year the Lord has made. Today is very special because this is the day our patriarch was born some 108th years ago. His life was full of service to mankind. His legacies are known all over the world,” she said.

Oyediran commended the Ogun State governor,  Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for turning around the fortune of the state.

In attendance at the service were the governor’s wife, Dr (Mrs) Olufunso Amosun, Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran, the Alakene of Ikenne-Remo, Oba Adeyinka Onakade and wife, members of the Ijaw Women Leadership Forum and Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) from Oyo State and Ikenne.

Others were Mrs. Kemi Aderemi, Mrs. Ayotola Iranola, Mr. Olumide Oyediran and other guests.