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| Pastor Samuel O. Oladele |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
The President of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele has said there is no way anyone can write the history of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria without making reference to Christ Apostolic Church.
He further emphasized that if you have to do a great work on the history of pentecostal religion in this country, there is no way you cannot but devote a large chunk of that work to Christ Apostolic Church, being a foremost pentecostal church in Nigeria.
Pastor Oladele stated this in an interview with press men on Wednesday April 6, 2021 after arriving Jos, Plateau State for "Presidential Tour of CAC Orekoya Region.
The President arrived Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos few minutes to 2.00pm and was received by the General Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel O. Odejobi, General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel E. Mapur, Regional Superintendent of CAC Orekoya Region, Pastor C.S.A. Balogun, Director of Youth Affairs, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro and many others. The President had in his entourage his Special Assistant, Pastor T. D. Asokeji and Office Assistant, Bro. Kunle Okubanjo.
Pastor Oladele further told the press men that it is true that CAC began among the Yorubas but it is not a Yoruba church, saying that we have the church spread all over the country, in Europe and the Americas.
On creation of new regions which includes Orekoya Region, the Cleric said: "we like to bring the administration of the church closer to our people where they are and so we have had to create what has come to be known as regions. Some years ago, when it all began, we had about nine of them in Nigeria; some states were brought together to form a region and after experimenting with that for four years, we saw the need to have more regions. So, Plateau state, Benue State, Nassarawa and Bauchi states, all used to be under Medaiyese Region, with headquarters in Abuja, but we considered it proper and fitting to create another region out of that and the new region created is now known as Orekoya Region, named after one of our patriachs and the headquarters is here in Jos. So, when we create a region like that, we do inaugurate it formally and then we induct the officer in charge who is the Regional Superintendent. Not only that, we want to see how our people are faring in this part of the country; that is why we will be visiting some other places in this state."
When asked what should people of Plateau State expect from the visit, aside from the inauguration and induction, Pastor Oladele said: "when the Lord Jesus Christ was talking to His disciples, He said wherever you go, declare peace. Our feet are good, that is one thing. The Bible says "how lovely on the mountain are the feet of those that bring goodnews". We bring Goodnews, we carry Goodnews, we carry God's anointing. Everything we brought to Plateau state. So, let the state and the church and even those who are not Christians expect peace, let them expect joy, revival, salvation of souls, healing. We declare peace everywhere we go because we are servants of the Most High - the Prince of Peace Himself. So, let the state be expectant and the children of God as well."
He appreciated and commended Ministers and members of CAC in the state for staying put to the CAC because there are other churches they can go.
While saying the church authorities understand what the people are passing through, the Cleric urged them to keep on progressing, praying for them that God will not leave them alone.
The President said that he first visited Jos in 1974 after he graduated from the Bible Training Institute Akure in company of his late master, Pastor Joseph Oyebamiji, on evangelistic mission, and that he was grateful to God for the privilege to visit again as President of Christ Apostolic Church.
Part of activities lined up for the presidential tour is courtesy call on the Governor, Hon. Barr. Bako Lalong, meeting with all the Church ministers in the Region, visit to Bokkos land and some Church properties (CAC College Kuba, CACTS, Akiluwa Secondary School, Conference Centre etc.), meeting with Professionals/Visit to vital places in Jos/Bukuru Metropolis, inauguration of Orekoya Region and induction of the Regional Superintendent etc.