• As Obasanjo urges members to emulate Christ.
Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has charged the Ekiti
Baptist Conference to imbibe the culture and vision of the Founding
Fathers of the Church.
Fayemi, who described Baptist Church Members as prayer warriors,
stressed that there were lots of benefits attached to serving God.
The Governor spoke on Friday at the 20th anniversary celebration of
the Ekiti Baptist Conference, held at the Headquarters of
Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, First Baptist
Church, Igede-Ekiti.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Fayemi
congratulated the Ekiti Baptist Conference on attainment of 20 years,
lauding the church for being a partner in the development of Ekiti
State.
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is a
Baptist, delivered the anniversary lecture entitled: “The Faith of Our
Fathers: Preserving Our Baptist Heritage.”
Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
noted that churches have been of immense help to the society in the
areas of prayers, spiritual development and performance of social
responsibilities.
Fayemi said: “Baptists are perpetual prayer warriors; we should imbibe
that and continue to serve God.That is why a man of 82 years
(referring to former President Olusegun Obasanjo), looks like 70
because he is a child of God.”
Fayemi disclosed that several people had benefited from the various
developmental and life transforming programmes and policies of
churches across the nation.
Delivering the anniversary lecture, Obasanjo gave a chronological
account of the establishment of Baptist Church by the white
missionaries and how they handed over the Ministry to Nigerian
missionaries.
Obasanjo stressed the need for members to sustain the principle of
faith and absolute trust in the Lord Jesus Church bequeathed to them
by the Founding Fathers of the Church.
The former President explained that Baptists must continue to manifest
the practise and teaching of the lifestyle of Jesus Christ.
According to him, the lifestyle of Christ, as centered on love, mutual
relationships, trust, respect, security, commitment and the fear of
God, must be taken to the nooks and crannies of the world.
Obasanjo emphasized the need to appreciate God for those people God
has used to steer the affair of the Ministry from inception to this
period.
The former Nigerian Leader appealed to members to support the various
developmental projects embarked upon by the Baptist Conference in the
state.
Earlier in his address, the President, Ekiti Baptist Conference, Rev.
Emmanuel Aribasoye, disclosed that Baptist Ministry began in April,
1901 through Rev. Charles Jemiriye, who brought the gospel to
Igede-Ekiti.
Aribasoye also sought for further support, cooperation, commitment and
involvement of members in driving and developing the activities
required of the Conference.
The Conference was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Bowen University,
Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Royal Fathers, Clergymen within and outside the
state.
