IBARAPA UPDATE: REV. OLANIYI RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE

Sunday 13 November 2011

REV. OLANIYI RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE

The minister in charge first Baptist church, Anko Eruwa Reverend (Dr.) Micheal Olaniyi has retired after 27 years of service in the God’s vineyard.

Dr. Olaniyi who describe his years of service as God’s fulfillment and challenging in an interview with IBARAPA UPDATE said that he enjoyed pasturing the church because of their cooperation and commitment he received from his member

According to him he enjoy Gods power in changing peoples lives through the words of God preached to people throughout his year of service.

“What I enjoy most is the power of God changing the life if people just by his word. People hear the word and change their life for good, that is what I cherished and I always thank God for that, because once ones life change towards Christ , everything about him will change for good.”

Recalling his most challenging period during service, he said that people beliefs that pastors are free from problem, “when my Wife died in January 8th, 2011, members were looking unto me as a person consoling other people, but it was my turn and it was very challenging but God lead me through. Instead of people consoling me, I was the one consoling them.

“It caught them unaware, many of them taught once you are a pastor you are free from problem, for a pastor wife to die many members wanted to run away from the church but God gave me the grace to encourage them,” he added.

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UPDATING WITH OJEBOLA, MATTHEW OPEOLUWA

jblmatthew@yahoo.com, 08055224498, sms only.

Chinua Achiebe wrote thing fall apart but to our best of knowledge without exaggerating situations, things are not only apart in Ibarapa but rather down to the earth. Let us leave alone arguments but face realities, from Igangan, highlight at Tapa, take a critical look at Ayete, a glance of Idere is enough, take pain to walk through Igboora, come down to Eruwa, and finally, view the length and breadth of Lanlate.

Wait a bit, take a deep breath, cast back your mind to the great records of Ibarapa land, make a contrast with the present disunity and answer this question- How far have we gone?

Where is the value we attribute to our character and integrity that secured the Ibarapa’s councilor seat to the late Chief Mokolade Gbolagunte an independent candidate against the late Akinyemi Senior of the famous Action Group (AG) political party? We have lost it to money politics, connection to party leadership, godfatherism and hegemonic faction or clique.

History recorded that Ibarapa people believe, the only thing that stimulates the heart is education and the same determines the kind of society they want to build. But now, education suddenly turns to taboo to our youths while parents fold their arms or even snoring, watching education shifting from bad to worst like the abnormal curve of economics.

Principals testify in churches and mosques when a student out of eighty had five credits, while a child that goes home with two credits in Yoruba and one other subject eat the fattest piece of meat in the family’s pot. We are celebrating failure, yet we fast and pray for all to be well.

The social world is absorbent, Baba Ijebu becomes the escape route for the jobless youths and the starving elders. Teenage pregnancy increase rapidly; we still spend lavishly, celebrating the arrival of the sinless baby to an unspeakable suffering.

Where can will go for rescue? Mosque is under lock over leadership tussle, we are not certain of what is obtainable in churches, traditionalists cannot say much truth for belly sake.

We changed government but the corrupt system remain firm. Trust in the traditional rulers is dying over political and personal interest. What can will do to restore this lost glory? Becomes a hard riddle to solve.

A stitch in time safes nine is the chorus we need to sing to the ears of our political, traditional and religious leaders in Ibarapaland. Our parents cannot be left out of this transformation campaign because charity beings at home. Let us also sing same song to all Ibarapa youths from the East, Central to North, even to those in Diaspora`.

If the land goes on with its glory dwindling, it is our fault. Likewise the greatness it is yours and mine responsibility. Its time for all sons and daughter of the soil to arise and contribute his/her quota to lift up Ibarapaland and make our people prosperous again. Let make OUR PEOPLE OUR DEVELOPMENT the watchword.