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• Gives scholarship to 35 indigent students
By Kehinde Aderemi
The Church of the Lord worldwide recently celebrated the 13th edition of the annual Reverend Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Ositelu Foundation (ROOF) colloquium in a unique style.
The event, held at the auditorium of Aladura Comprehensive High School, Anthony Village, Lagos was in commemoration of the 74th birthday anniversary of the cleric.
The colloquium, with the theme, ‘Nigeria security challenges: causes, effects and practical solutions’ also offered better opportunities for intellectual discourse.
Prominent members of the church and several dignitaries, including royal fathers were present to honour the man of God.
Reverend Ositelu expressed deep appreciation to members of the church, including members of the board of trustee of the annual ROOF colloquium under the chairmanship of Reverend Olusoga Badejo.
Ositelu, who is also the Primate, Church of the Lord Worldwide and African President of World Council of Churches (WCC) said the event was organised to impact the lives of the people positively by giving voices to the voiceless and raising the hopes of the hopeless in the society.
The cleric explained also that the foundation had, in the last 13 years, impacted more than 500 indigent students across Nigeria, adding that 35 students would benefit from this year’s event.
Ositelu also highlighted the need for urgent reforms in the Nigeria’s security architecture, even as he applauded President Bola Tinubu’s moves to establish state police. He pointed out that efforts should be made to decentralise policing in Nigeria.
“I am excited that we have made significant achievements with the celebration of this year’s colloquium, especially with the sponsorship of free scholarships for 35 indigent university students.
“Each of the 35 indigent students received a cheque of N100, 000 to assist them in their studies. Apart from this, in the last few years, we have also engaged in public advocacy, using the annual colloquium to speak truth to power.
“The church is part of the society, and as a church we have a role to play in advocating good leadership at the corridors of power.
“The topic we discussed today was about the security challenges in Nigeria and I believe we don’t need rocket science to solve the security challenges. But we need to look inwards by adopting regional policing as it is with the Amotekun in the South West.
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“The solution to Nigeria’s security challenges is fiscal federalism, where all the regions would be free to control their resources at the regional level, as it was done in the first Republic. The regions should be allowed to control their resources for equitable distribution of wealth among them,” he said.
The guest speaker, Prof Olayiwola Erinosho, said the security deficit in Nigeria was not accidental.
The challenges, he explained was as result of poor leadership, weak institution, lack of good orientation, corruption, weak and ineffective policing. Erinosho also cited the various experiences from countries like Singapore, Indian and Malaysia with multiple religions and ethnic groups.
He pointed out that such multi -ethic and multi-religion countries were able to solve the security challenges in their countries because of the quality of leadership they have.
The university don stated further that attacks by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups can only be nipped in the bud in Nigeria if the leadership question is completely addressed based on some core values.
“Kidnappings, killings and banditry have become thriving businesses in Nigeria. There are shareholders among politicians and religious leaders, that encourage banditry. These, among other factors are the causes of security challenges in Nigeria.
“The security challenges can be addressed with good leadership, transformation of social culture, and that leaders must be ready to lay the solid foundation for quality leadership. The society must also be guided on the core values of patriotism,” he said.
Chairman, BOT of the foundation, Reverend Olusoga Badejo said the colloquium was organised in order to contribute to national discourse.
He explained that the security challenges in Nigeria can be addressed through practical approach, especially with religious organisations across the country.
Badejo maintained that the church has a pivotal role to play in solving the security challenges in the country.
Also in his remarks, one of the elders of the church, Dr.Adebiyi Phillips, described the colloquium as a reflection of service to humanity.
“What we are doing today is not just the celebration of an Icon and man of God, it was a testimony of service to humanity.
“Reverend Ositelu has been an inspiration to other men of God and I am sure this year’s event would go a long way in helping all those that have benefitted from the generousity,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the event include the royal father of the day, Oba Michael Asamu Lanisa, the Alaje of Ajegunle, Reverend Omoruyi Tolu Jegede represented by Amos Osifo Jegede and others.
