The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said his shame turned to celebration, having faced a lot of tribulations last year.
Ooni said this during the Grand-finale of New Year Prayer organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria at Afewonro Park, Enuwa Square, on Saturday, in Ile-Ife.
Oba Ogunwusi, who led different Christian worship songs and praises during the service, clarified that it was a good thing to always praise the Lord Jesus Christ and appreciate Him.
“When I look back, I observe that my life is full of God’s wonders and miracles despite all challenges faced, but today, the Lord gave me victory over them all.
“I sat down here last year with a lot of tribulations and storms of life which I cannot explain, but to God be the Glory that my shame has turned to celebration.
“I observed where I started, hitherto, the Lord has helped me. It is clearly stated to me that the Lord is Alive. A fool is anyone that says there’s no God,” the traditional ruler stated.
He charged Christians to hold firmly unto Jesus Christ, adding “Truly, He is the son of God and He is the one that lives with him (Ogunwusi) on the throne.
Ooni said that there was no one who worked with God that lost, adding that money was not everything in life.
According to him, sound health, safety, and feeding among others were part of God’s goodness.
The traditional ruler appealed to the officials of CAN not to wait for God’s commendation but should strive to serve God wholeheartedly.
Quoting the Bible, Ogunwusi said, “for He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
Ooni reiterated his commitment to serve God and humanity throughout the rest of his life as well as always working for the growth and development of Ile-Ife, Osun, the Yoruba race, and the country at large.
He urged all and sundry to always appreciate God and put all their trust in Him in order to receive all their requests in life from Him.
Oba Ogunwusi warned youths against allowing politicians to instigate them into violence and other social vices particularly before, during, and after the forthcoming general election.
In his message at the event, the Superintendent for Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Moore District Coordinating Council, Pastor Mathew Adejumo, told the congregation that God still has powers like of old.
Adejumo, whose message was titled “Be Still” and his bible verse taken from Mark 4: 35-41, said God is still able to calm every storm in each individual’s life and in the country.
The superintendent admonished Christians to ensure that they served God with all their might and power this year for them to enjoy the benefits embedded in God.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
