CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN, OTHERS, EULOGISE ARCHBISHOP JOB AT 80, OKE-ADO, IBADAN

CARDINAL ONAIYEKAN, OTHERS, EULOGISE ARCHBISHOP JOB AT 80, OKE-ADO, IBADAN

MORE THAN TWENTY six Archbishops and one hundred and thirty priests from far and near gathered at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oke-Ado in a concelebrated Mass of Most Rev.Dr Felix Alaba Job’s 80th birthday on 23 June.

There were also consecrated persons, dignitaries from all walks of life, Royal fathers, government parastatal of different cadre, lay people, youth and children. Also present were Knights of St. Mulumba and St John International and their ladies, CWO, CMO. Indeed it was a colourful and auspicious event.

The Archbishop of Ibadan immediately after processing into the Church welcomed all that came for the occasion adding that our gathering was to celebrate a man of honour who served God in so many capacities including CBCN, as president, for six years and served in Ibadan Archdiocese for 42 years. Archbishop Abegunrin said , he is a man, about whom, you can never, know all.

In his homily, John Cardinal Onaiyekan said Archbishop Job’s life is flourishing like a tree planted besides the streams.

According to him, his affair with God is incomparable and his compass connecting him with the word of God is inestimable. The Cardinal said the Emeritus was a great support to him in his study of Latin in Rome. He said he almost abandoned it, but for the encouragement of the Archbishop. Many of his colleagues, he recalled, did not complete the journey.

Most Rev Augustine Akubueze, CBCN President, said the celebrant is living a fruitful and fulfilling life, having impacted the lives of so many people positively, that today he is a model, worthy of emulation.

The Secretary General of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr Ralph Madu appreciated the celebrant for the epoch making event.

Earlier on Wednesday 21 June a Committee of Friends celebrated the Emeritus through choir competition and a lecture on “The Church and the Nigeria Nation” delivered by Prof Patrick Utomi, Lagos Business School.

The participants at the Choir completion were; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) NFCS, University of Ibadan U.I and Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso. At the end of it, the first position went to Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho  2nd position went to OAU and U.I. came 3rd.

The competitors and the judges also received gifts.

Ambassador Joe Keshi, rtd permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the occasion remarked that the celebrant is an enduring ever smiling person showing God’s faithfulness always.

According to him, he doesn’t mix words in teaching the gospel and he stood firm over the need to hand over schools to their owners.

In his address, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin spoke on the unity of the Archdiocese of Ibadan urging the affluent to reach out to the Church.

Dr Michael Olusanmi, the Chairman of friends of Emeritus Archbishop Job likened the celebrant to Cicero and Ceto of today because of his oratory prowess in his homilies.

Responding Archbishop Emeritus enjoined the faithful not to be afraid to call themselves Catholic; instead they should work, speak and act likewise. He told them to depend on Christ and let each one of them do their best to serve God, and surely he added everything would fall in place. He thanked the organizers and all that came.

The vote of thanks was given by Chief Ayo Fasoro.

-MARGARET OBOGO

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