Adebayo Adenrele
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has enjoined Nigerians to shun religious difference to avoid sparks of quarrel among them.
This is contained in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary, at the Agape International Church 34th Annual Convention 2022 themed “This is my Time”, held in Akure today.
Governor Akeredolu said people always lived together in harmony despite their religion differences, stressing on Her Excellency, Omloewa Ahmed, wife of former Governor of Kwara State who is married to a Muslim.
In his words, “The theme of the convention is, “This is my Time”, that is, ‘Emi Lokan’. So, if you are now saying this is your time, what is the meaning in Yoruba? It is “Emi Lokan”. The choice of the theme, I’m sure it is something that the Lord Almighty put your mind to do so that it will resonate to “this is my Time, Emi lokan.”
“We have very very interesting coincidence here. Today, we have Her Excellency Omolewa, wife of former Governor of Kwara State here. I have known her to be a true christian, very true one, leading the altar in her home, in a home where the husband is also a true Muslim. And they are all living together peacefully. That is one example.”
“There are so many examples. But I will give one more. There is one of our leaders who is a Muslim and married to a senior Pastor in the Redeemed. We all know Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They all live together. I know in my family that there are Muslims there, and we are not quarreling.”
“There are many people here that have both Muslims and Christians as family members and there is no quarrel. Religion should not bring quarrel among us and that is where we stand.”
“What we believe and stand by is that since we started this Republic in 1999, we have been rotating power from North to South, and for us, by that rotation, this is the time of South.”
“This is our time and nobody is going to take it. ‘Awa lokan’. Wonderful theme for this time. When the theme was chosen, I’m sure nobody was thinking about ‘Emi lokan’ or anything; but it is just by coincidence.”
“God has spoken through Agape that this is our time. I thank you Agape.” the Governor added.
Speaking on insecurity, Akeredolu, who is Chairman of the Southern Governors, said “we will not wait for us to be captured. Nobody can capture us. We are from Ondo State, we are indomitable, we are fighters and we will fight to the last.”
He however applauded the church leaders for complying with the directive mandating them to install Closed-Circuit Camera at worship centres.
He equally thanked God who has made the arrest of attackers of St Francis Catholic Church Owo, possible, saying it is a prayer answered.
He thereby charged the congregation and all residents of the state to always be security conscious and be alert.
“If you see something, say something. if you hear something, say something. Please let us be watchful and be security conscious.”
“Our security lies in our hands. We must be alert. God will continue to protect all of us.”
“Whatever government asked you to do, please comply. Have security men at your gates, have your CCTV cameras and check all new faces before allowing them into your churches.” He said.
