Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has urged people to embrace unity and show love to fellow human beings during the Christmas season and beyond He also urged them to give willingly to those in need in the spirit of the yuletide while also restating his commitment to his empowerment programme. The monarch made these appeal during the annual Christmas Carol services held at his palace between December 15 -16, 2021. The two Carol services were conducted by the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral Church, Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu and Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims, Ikorodu and Kosofe branch.
On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the monarch hosted the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral Choir (the Prelate’s Choir) led by Sir (Omooba) ‘Soji Onafowokan, KCW, Apmc, to what could be described as a memorable and soulful Carol service. The Carol was tagged, ‘A Royal Christmas Carol with Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale & Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi’. During the event, Oba Shotobi lightened the Carol light to the delight of guests, while the Choir members were at their best as they sang various soul lifting carol songs with their sonorous voices to the admiration of Oba Shotobi, his wife and other guests, who all intermittently rose from their seats to join in singing the hymns.
Also, the first, second, third, fourth and fifth lessons of the carol service were read by Oba Shotobi, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Rt. Reverend (Dr) S. Olu Osundina, Bishop, Diocese of Ikorodu and Rev. Paul Odeleye respectively.
Meanwhile, Oba Shotobi, expressed his happiness and that of the royal family and residents of Ikorodu for witnessing the yuletide season while also expressing his likeness for the Methodist Church.
“I am thankful for this event and I also appreciate my wife, children and every other person present here. The programme is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and this is a yearly event. I’m glad that we are having the celebration in the palace for the people of Ikorodu to celebrate in peace,” the royal father said.
“I told some people about my feelings for Methodist and it will never change. There is going to be another carol service here at the palace tomorrow and I am inviting all of you to come and listen to the word of God, especially during this Christmas period,” Kabiesi revealed.
Revealing plans for Ikorodu youths, Oba Shotobi said that the palace will be partnering with the Christians from South Korea to develop them spiritually. “I just had a meeting with these guests of mine (Mr and Mrs Williams King). They are from South Korea and they have been to many places all over the country and they want to preach what they know about Christianity, particularly to our youths.
I plead with the youths to come and listen to the gospel. We will soon communicate the date and venue for the programme when it is time.”
Explaining further, Oba Shotobi said, “Mr Williams King visited me in the palace to discuss his Christian mission to engage the youth of Ikorodu on what is happening all over the world in a Christian way.
He has discussed an opportunity and a program with me and we have agreed to make use of the town hall for the event to make our youths know what is happening in the world in a Christian way.” Kabiesi also restated his plans to assist those who are into small scale businesses by giving them loans to support them. “We still have our empowerment, which is a continuous exercise. The government cannot do it alone. The little we can do in the palace, we are doing it. The loan facilities we are giving to people have been reactivated.
People should come and have something to start their businesses.
There’s a minimum of N25,000 or N50,000 and N100,000 for individuals to come and apply for. It is an interest free loan to assist them this Christmas period.”
RT. Rev Dr. S.Olu Osundina, the Bishop, Diocese of Ikorodu, in his words of exhortation titled, ‘Christ is born in the palace here,’ commended Ayangbure for putting the Carol together annually.
“Every year, in your wisdom, you always set up a Christmas carol though you are a Muslim. You open your palace door every year for people to celebrate Jesus. I pray for sound health for you. You won’t mourn because you are different from other kings who just follow anything that suit them,” the Bishop prayed. The Bishop also called for peace in the world.
Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, Agbaakin of Ikorodu, while giving the vote of thanks, thanked all the guests on behalf of the royal family and prayed for a good and joyous Christmas celebration for everyone. He also commended Olori Kudirat Shotobi for supporting her husband in organizing the carol service, stating that without her contribution, the event wouldn’t have been possible.
It was the turn of the Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims the following day as Oba Shotobi, his wife and other guests also joined them in for another round of choir service.
The choir members of the Jerusalem Pilgrims, who were all dressed in white garments, like their counterparts from the Methodist Cathedral Church, sang special carol songs while also offering prayers for Oba Shotobi, his family, Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
Addressing his visitors and other guests, Oba Shotobi charged them and residents to willingly give out to those in need during the Christmas period. “May our faith not be tested. I implore you that Christmas time is a time of giving; let us be cheerful givers to our neighbours. We must not wait until they come to ask before we give them. Let us love our neighbours as ourselves and let’s hold on to that. May God continue to bless us and we will celebrate many more years in the land of the living,” Oba Shotobi prayed.
The monarch, who was full of appreciation to God for making him and members of the association witness another Christmas season, asked Christians to continue to appreciate and worship God. “Last year, there was what we called COVID-19 that shook the world greatly but we thank God that despite the pandemic, He kept us all safe in lkorodu. He made us to be part of those that will celebrate Christmas Carol in the year 2021. I really appreciate what the Lord has done. I celebrate with myself and I celebrate with you too because the celebration of Christ for whosoever knows it, is important.
We have read a lot about it in the Holy Bible and we have seen miracles and we have received mercy. I thank God that every one of us seated here today did not stop praying and we did not hide our identity, which is our Bible. God will spare our lives till next year when we will all gather together again to celebrate Christmas in good health and I want to implore us that we should hold on to our Bible dearly because it is the only book that can set us free,” Oba Shotobi charged.
Revd. (Dr) Benjamen O. Dawodu, Jpil, the President of Association of Jerusalem Pilgrims, Ikorodu & Kosofe chapter, in his keynote address themed, ‘Instrument of Righteousness,’ said that people are instruments of God, which He can use for whatever purpose. “God may use our words or work as witness for Him, but we are simply His instruments. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the growth.
Do not offer parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness but rather, offer yourself to God. Our feet can be instruments of righteousness as we go where the Lord leads us.
Our hands can be instruments of righteousness as the love of Christ motivates us to serve others. Our mind can be an instrument of righteousness by taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ. Our hearts can be an instrument of righteousness by making the gospel our main ambition,” he said.
Elder (Chief) Amos Oshin, a trustee emeritus, The African Church Bethel Cathedral (ACBC) and Elder (Hon.) Sadiku, also of ACBC, were among senior members of the association that attended the carol service. Oba Shotobi read the first lesson of the carol service from Isaiah 9 verses 6 -7, while Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho read from Matthew 1 verses 20 -24. Also in attendance at the two carol services were traditional chiefs, members of the Lasunwon Ruling House and residents.