SUPERIOR EVANGELIST PIUS OLAREWAJU: LET US GIVE HONOUR TO WHOM IT IS DUE!
Members of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide have just returned from the annual pilgrimage to the Celestial Holy City of Imeko, situated at Imeko Afon Local Government in Ogun State. For those who do not know, Imeko is the burial site of the late Reverend Pastor Founder of the church, Saint S.B.J. Oshoffa. It is also the site of the Celestial Basilica, the newly constructed gigantic cathedral of the Celestial Church of Christ.
This year’s convocation at Imeko came with a difference. There was a major attraction. The attraction was the gargantuan cathedral known as the Basilica, which perched on the landscape of the ancient town of Imeko like a giant bird about to embark on a divine flight into the heavenlies.
And for the very first time in the seventy year old existence of our great church, Celestians from all parts of the world worshipped under a ROOFED Cathedral.
As I mingled with the unprecedented crowd of worshippers on Christmas eve, I could not help but notice the joy, the pride, the love and the sense of belonging that seemed to ooze out of the pores on the bodies of all those present. It was exciting; it was soul lifting; it was overwhelming; it was simply exhilarating. Everybody wanted to be part of the success. Success indeed has many fathers, while failure is an orphan!
I was however not too overwhelmed to remember the great men and women who worked tirelessly, investing their time, energy and resources to ensure that Celestians all over the world worshipped under a ROOFED Cathedral this December. It was a promise made. It was a promise kept!
Please stand up for recognition- Sup. Evang. S.O. Banjo (The Doyen of the CCC), Sup. Evang. and Mother Celestial J.O. Ogunremi, Sup. Evang. Bola Akinterinwa, Asst. Ven. Sup. Evang. G.O. Jerry, Sp. Ven. Most Snr. Evang. Ladi Adebutu, Sp. Ven. Most Snr. Evang. Babatunde Osibodu, All members of the Building Commitee, All members of the Technical Sub Commitee, all members of the Advisory Commitee, all members of Team Success, Brother Gbenga Daniel ( Convener of Luli Concert) and his team, Engnr Olajide Olayemi, Engnr Oyesanya, Engnr Mordi, Mother Celestial Ajibike and so many others that space would not permit me to mention here.
I salute this great men and women of valour. Certainly, when the history of our great church is written, your names shall be written in solid gold.
I am however compelled to single out one particular individual for special recognition. He is an icon, a man of notable substance, a first amongst equals, an epitome of humility, a no nonsense crusader, a man who does not suffer fools gladly, a man who says what he means and means whatever he says, a leader of uncommon pedigree, an administrator par excellence. I am talking of no other person than our very own SUPERIOR EVANGELIST PIUS OLAREWAJU.
Why must we celebrate this man so much?
Hear me well:
It was Pius who single handedly stood up to challenge the old order and destroy the template of that individual who had turned himself into a tin god and could not be challenged by anyone in the CCC. Under this god of men, millions of Naira went down the drain, yet the Cathedral remained at foundation level; stagnant and visibly underdeveloped.
Pius stood up and challenged the old order. Today, just six months later, we are all rejoicing, singing and chanting Halleluyah under a ROOFED Cathedral. What they couldn’t achieve in three decades, Pius and others achieved in six months.
Why must we celebrate this man so much?
It is quite easy for Pius to wake up one morning, resign his position as BOT Treasurer, return the books of the church to the authority, go back to his house and continue to live a good life. Truth is, this is a man that the Almighty has chosen to bless with all the good things of life in abundance. It is only his commitment and zeal for the work of God that keeps him going.
It would surprise you to hear that inspite of the giant strides made with the Cathedral, the Judas dancing Joro-mi in our midst continues to hound Pius with the Police and numerous litigation, just to ensure that the Celestial Church does not move forward. But Pius is undeterred. Hear him, “With God on our side, we shall commission the completed Basilica before we come to Imeko next year December. This is just the 1st phase.”
Why must we celebrate Pius Olarewaju?
Six months ago, the Joro-mi exponent and his band boys in white garment accused Pius Olarewaju of having misappropriated four hundred million Naira in two tranches of two hundred million Naira each. Today, Pius has shown us what he did with the money. The completed 1st phase of the Imeko Basilica!
I love celebrating achievers in their lifetime. Join me in giving honour to whom it is due. Join me in giving a standing ovation to Superior Evangelist Pius Ige Olarewaju.
And as you do so, remember that it is not yet Eldorado. The journey to the promised land continues. Join Team Success!
Drop your contribution towards the building of the Celestial Basilica at Imeko into this account:
Account Name: CCC IMEKO CATHEDRAL PROJECT
Bank: ZENITH BANK
Account Number: 1015017793
God bless you as you do so.
-Kayode Ajala is a journalist and a Special Most Senior Evangelist of the Celestial Church of Christ.
