By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja,March 5,2023
The new Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, the Most Revd. Michael Akinwale has commended Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s visionary leadership and commitment to the progress of the country, in the course of his service as Nigeria’s Vice President.
Archbishop Akinwale stated this today in a sermon he delivered at his enthronement service as the new head of the Abuja Archdiocese of the Methodist Church, Nigeria.
The service held at the Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Abuja, featured enthronment of the new Archbishop and the presentation of the Diocesan Lay President and other officers, amidst prayers and songs ministration.
In his sermon at the service, Archbishop Akinwale thanked the Vice President for honouring them with his presence at the service, describing him as a man of character and purpose.
According to him, the VP is an epitome of excellence, a good and visionary leader. We, the Christians in this country are very proud of you. We celebrate you, you are a man of great humility and a pastor to the core,we are proud of you.
“Thank you for coming to honour God this day. When I visited you, you promised that you will be here. You are a noble man, a man of intellect. May the lord God continue to bless you and may your days be long.”
Continuing, the new head of the Abuja Archdiocese said “I pray for you that under your watch, this country will not disintegrate. Under your watch, the Lord will preserve this country to be greater and better, regardless of the current challenges.”
In his message to the newly enthroned officials, the clergy and members of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo said God has given you life and good health to see the progress and advancement of the ministry that God has given you, the Methodist Church in Nigeria.
” Your grace, I pray that this enthronement would release fresh oil of grace and influence for greater achievements in the Archdiocese of Abuja, in Nigeria and across the globe.”
“As his eminence the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria sat your grace on the throne, I knew that you were not blinded by the pomp and pageantry of this great occasion, but that you see this as a call to the service of God and man, a great responsibility of awful moment in our troubled country and troubled world,” the VP added.
Speaking on the place of service and honour for religious leaders, Prof. Osinbajo referenced the Holy Book, noting that, “Indeed, as Apostle Paul recommended in 1 Timothy 5:17: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching”.
The highpoint of the event was the enthronement of Archbishop and presentation of the new Lay President and officers of Church.
Present at the service were Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Abba; former Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; former Prelates of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Dr Samuel Kanu-Uche; Sunday Makinde, among other bishops and clergy from Methodist Church in Nigeria.
Others include representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao.
