Adebanjo at 80, Bishop charges politicians

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 13.04.2008

THE Bishop of the Anglican Church, Ijebu Diocese, Rt. Reverend Ezekiel Awosoga, has described the art of politicking as nothing but vanity and urged politicians to be careful in the way and manner they play it.

He said this on Saturday while delivering a sermon at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service of Chief Ayodele Adebanjo, which was held at the St. Philips Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

According to the minister of God, the art of politics should be played by the politicians with integrity and honesty.

The cleric stated that politicians should be God fearing in all their undertakings such that they might be acceptable before their creator after they must have completed their race in this world.

According to him, "It is when you are in power that people will be praising you, those who are singing your praise today saying hosanna will turn around and say crucify him. Play your politics such that if man rejects you, God will not reject you.

"You must be careful about the way you play your earthly politics so that God will say thank you my faithful servant," he said.

Bishop Awosoga further said that the country needed people like the celebrant who had remained focused since 1952 when he was the organising secretary of the party founded by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Action Group.

"I am not saying this to flatter him.He has remained the same since 1952, when he was the organising secretary of the Action Group.

He is a man of integrity, consistency, focus, and one who always fight for the rights of the people. He is not like others who moved from one party to the other, he has remained consistent like his role model, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo,"the Bishop said.

He urged the celebrant to remain focussed till the end while also charging the Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to always fight for the truth in any situation.

The man of God also used the occasion to advocate that the Nigeria Police Force should not only be re-trained but be professionalized for the benefit of Nigerians.

His words, “After they must have been re-trained and professinalised, the police will be useful for the communities, the state and federal government. Nigerians will be happy, then we will have a system where Police will be policing the Police."

He described the present Police system as a "cult" where discipline is lacking.

"Let any policeman offend today in Nigeria, he will be covered up. It is like a military system," he said.

The congratulatory message of President Umar Yar'Adua was also read by the Bishop who described the 80th birthday of Chief Adebanjo as an uncommon achievement, he also said that the celebrant was committed to professional excellence.

Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, who was represented by her daughter, Otunba Ayo Soyode, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Chief Adekunle Ojora, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Reuben Fasonranti, who led other Afenifere members, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd).