Awangbahun literally denotes the drumbeats of victory and conquest and by extension blessings. It was the spiritual orchestra first constituted by the Founder C.C.C. Worldwide, Rev. Pastor S.B.J. Oshoffa as a powerful spiritual weapon to set free the afflicted under any form of spiritual oppression or witchcraft attacks. Awhangbahun, from historical account, was used by Pastor S.B.J. Oshoffa during open air crusades, church services and evangelism. During its performance, Celestial angels were said to descend from heaven to manifest wonders to heal the sick, deliver, conquer, and set free those that were afflicted by witchcraft attacks and to demonstrate the power of Celestial Church of Christ over the forces of darkness.
Gentlemen of the press, I crave your indulgence to site just two instances to corroborate the spiritual potency of this phenomenon drumbeats: History had it that on one fateful day at Thekanmeh in Benin Republic, in a broad day light a young lady hawking smoked fish fell victim of witchcraft attacks when an evil bird (ostensibly a witchcraft bird) descended on her and flew away with her wares but spiritually it was her life the bird actually went away with as the young lady lay dead almost immediately. Her dead body was said to be brought to Pastor SBJ Oshoffa who deployed Awhangbahun revival service and prayers to bring the victim back to life, all to the chagrin of the entire community.
Another episode was the one that happened at Deken, also in Benin Republic in which a hunter by name Boton, an adherent of a deity called Passi, got converted to Christianity and into Celestial Church family and was rechristened Michel. Passi deity was a dreaded god that sends shivers to the heart of offenders either on allegation of theft or any wrong doing – death was then the ultimate penalty. Boton’s conversion did not go down well with Passi cult members. They plotted to ensnare him by invoking the spirit of Passi, against him on allegation of betrayal. One fateful day Michell, who had earlier been forewarned in a spiritual message to restrict his movement within the Church’s custody for 7 days was recalcitrant. Within the stipulated days he stole out and went on hunting expedition. It was said that while in the forest the deity of Passi transformed to a Deer and appeared to him. On setting his sight on the game Michell never wasted time to pull the trigger. But unfortunately he shot himself dead as the Dane gun exploded into his chest from the back-end.
It was a joyous moment for the adherents that Passi had delivered on its assignment. They went to Michell’s house in a victory procession to retrieve his Sutana (the white celestial garment), an emblem of his new religion for a display in the shrine of Passi, to convince the community of the power of Passi as a deity to fear and revere. It became an exhibition that everyone within and outside the community came to watch with glee. The news got to Pastor Bilehou Oshoffa of the desecration of the Sutuan. He travelled down to the village and immediately led Awhangbahun orchestra straight into the shrine of Passi, an act which was forbidden for a non-initiate. It attracts instant death as repercussion. He retrieved the Sutana, came out of the shrine with the orchestra’s team and before the very presence of all the senior cult-members, decreed an end upon Passi. And since that day till date, the deity, Passi, was as good as not being in existence. Awhangbahun is essentially, a sacred performance for conquest, victory and blessing.
But important as the orchestra is, its place in the doctrinal ethos of celestial church of Christ in the contemporary world has been overly eroded to the precipice of extinction. Hence the institutionalization of Awhangbahun festival to re-engineer the resuscitation and reintegration of Awhangbahun orchestra back into the doctrinal ethos of Celestial Church of Christ globally. As a result a documented pronouncement has been made by His Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa, the Spiritual Head Celestial Church of Christ, Worldwide for the annual hosting of Awhangbahun Festival International at Badagry, the official venue for the festival vide a letter Reference No. CCC/EMF/PD/AD-11/04-24, dated 15th April, 2024 and for the participation of all celestial churches and families across the globe. According to Pastor E.M.F. Oshoffa, Awhangbahun is a gift to humanity, it’s not only for Celestial Church of Christ members alone.
The theme for this maiden edition is AWHANGBAHUN FESTIVAL: PRESERVING THE ETHOS AND TENENTS OF CELESTIAL HERITAGE.
Awhangbahun Festival International is a festival of victory and conquest analogous to the narrative of Jehoshaphat and the children of Moab and Ammon in the Holy Bible (II Chronicle 20:1-26) where the Children of Moab and Ammon rose to wage unprovoked war against Jehoshaphat and children of Juda. The entire Judah was enveloped by fear and grieve.
And in their hopelessness and haplessness they ran to God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for deliverance. Instead of facing the Children of Moab and Ammon with ammunitions, Jehoshaphat, after due consultations, appointed singers and drummers to sing the praises and beauty of God’s holiness and His enduring mercy. And when they began to dance and sing the praises of God, the LORD sets ambush against the children of Moab and Ammon and in a dramatic turn of event they all rose against themselves in arms and completely destroyed one another. This narrative is reminiscent of the spiritual prowess of Awhagbahun drumbeats in the doctrinal ethos of Celestial Church of Christ. This is exactly what is going to happen during the festival. We enjoin all those seeking victory, freedom from witchcraft attacks, healing, and blessings to come meet the God of SBJ Oshoffa for total freedom from all forms of spiritual attacks.
The festival is a three-Day spiritual event starting from 25th – 27th July 2024 at Badagry as highlighted below:
DAY ONE: Unveiling of Awhangbahun festival by his Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa after which a victory and praises procession will go round the entire Badagry. The first day will terminate with Awhangbahun Night Vigil/Revival
DAY TWO: Symposium on etymology and the existential essence of Awhangbahun. The evening will witness Awhangbahun musical Night Concert where various invited churches both within and outside Nigeria will display their creativity and expertise on Awhangbahun musical performance.
DAY THREE: The Grand Finale where our Mass Choir of 250 choristers will mount the stage for a command music performance and our guest artist Jonny Suru from Benin Republic will also perform. Prizes and awards will be presented to the best 7 Choir performances
There is also going to be spiritual exhibition and consultation that will run from 25th – 27th for those seeking deliverance, victory and blessings.
The objective of C.C.C Worldwide over this festival, apart for the basic deliberate spiritual objective, is to turn Badagry to the Jerusalem of Nigeria where Christians all over the world will converge to worship God and seek His face annually. And by so doing C.C.C is effectively spearheading the development of Religious Tourism in Lagos State and Badagry in particular. Badagry as you are probably aware was the watershed for the propagation of Christianity in Nigeria. The first Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was first preached here in 1843, the First Christmas in Nigeria was celebrated the same year in December in Badagry; the first Storey building which serves as the official residence for the Anglican vicars was also built in Badagry in 1845. These highlighted tangible historic antecedence already position Badagry as having the potential to become Nigeria’s Jerusalem.
We are expecting average estimated number of about 10,000.00 participants from within and outside Nigeria. The socio-economic impacts of this cannot be over-emphasised. Within the short period of the event employment will be created for the youths, local economy will be greatly stimulated and enhanced in terms of local food vendors, local transporters, hotel bookings and other service providers and life will be full in Badagry.
However, we are honored to have His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ile-Ife as the Royal Father of the Day to join him as Royal Father of the Day is his Majesty Oba Oladele Kosoko JP, Ogungeyi II, The Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom for this global event and Sup. Rev. Mother (Dr.) Esther Ambimbola Ajayi (Iya Aladura), the General Overseer the Love of Christ Generation Church Worldwide is the Mother of the Day. Cardinal James Omolaja Odunbaku, Head, Christ Ambassadors Soulwinners Ministry is Chairman of the Occasion and Pastor C.O. Ojelabi, Chairman All Progressive Congress Lagos State is the Father of the Day. His Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa is the Chief Host while Hon. Joseph Gbenu Henugbe, the Executive Chairman, Badagry West Local Council Development Area is the Co-Host.
In conclusion we are happy to inform you all present that Awhangbahun Festival International official website in hereby officially launched. You can reach out to us or follow us on https://blog.solaodubowale.org/awhangbahunfestival.com/
Finally Celestial Church of Christ Wordwide looks forward to welcoming you to Badagry from 25th – 27th July, 2024 for your testimony to the power of God of C.C.C by simply joining us to sing and dance to the victory drumbeats of eloquent Awhangbahun.
