Taiwo Olanrewaju witnessed the grand finale of the 74th  Tabieorar Festival held at Mount Tabieorar Ground, Kilometre 60, Lagos - Ibadan Expessway, Ogere Remo, Ogun State. Her report

Like Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, who joined other Christians, with his wives, Hannah and Peninnah, at Shiloh to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts annually; Christians from all walks of life and every nook and cranny of Nigeria joined His Eminence, the Most Rev. (Dr.) Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Ositelu, on Sunday August 22 to pay obeisance to the Lord and pay their vows.

In spite of the morning drizzle and the fact that this year’s Tabieorar festival, a vigil service, fell on a Sunday, with most of the Christians expected to resume work the following morning, the Christians in their droves, thronged the Mount Tabieorar Ground to render praises, adoration and dances to the Lord who made it possible for them to witness yet another celebration.

The spacious Tabieorar Ground was well lit with flood lights while Christians, mostly in white sutannah, held candles with them, which they lit when praying for the13 blessings of Tabieorar.

In his goodwill message to the gathering, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State appealed to all to pray hastily for  Nigeria which will soon be conducting another election come 2011.

While rendering songs of praises to God, Governor Daniel noted that in the last eight years, he, a son of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide (TCLAW), has fought many battles but lost none.

“I have a covenant with God, in the last eight years, God has not disappointed me once” said Governor Daniel, adding that many wonderful things have happened in the state. For instance, the state hosted the world during the Under 17 FIFA World Cup without any security challenge.

He, however promised to come around to Tabieorar in 2011, not as the state governor, but with another Governor that TCLAW members would be proud of. The Primate of TCLAW and other anointed men of God afterwards showered blessings on the governor, who rather than chat with the press as usual, left the Tabieorar Ground immediately with his large entourage.

Representing the governor of Lagos State, Barrister Raji Fashola, Rev. (Dr.) Sam Ogedengbe, the governor’s Special Assistant on Religious Matters, said Tabieorar festival, which began on August 22, 1937, is a yearly routine which ushers in renewed hope.

“It symbolises unity, interdependence and one humanity that should be used for the pursuit of peace and unity for all and among all irrespective of divides” he added.

Rev. (Dr.) Ogedengbe, said his boss, a visionary leader, who knows what he is doing and is doing it right, appreciated all religious leaders for their tolerance and lauded the church leadership for its choice of the  theme of this year’s, tagged: Divine Opportunities.

In her welcome address, TCLAW’s Public Relations Officer, Revd. (Mrs.) Bunmi Badejo, who welcomed participants in English Language and in Yoruba (Ijebu and Egba dialects), Igbo, Hausa, Edo, Efik, French and German Languages, urged parents to encourage their children and wards to learn a second language.

The church’s mass choir rendered beautiful songs and choruses, which made most Christians to dance all through the night while some testified to the goodness of the Lord and paid their vows.

In his sermon, Primate Ositelu, who doubles as President of the United Aladura Churches Worldwide (UAC) and Vice-president of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), defined opportunity as a favourable circumstance. “Everyone will get the chance to do good or evil but the choice is yours” he added.

The Ogere-born scientist and theologian urged all christians to run away from sin and grow up spirituality by knowing and doing the will of God.

“The swift might not win the race, this is what happens in this simple and imperfect world” but while making use of opportunities, “do it in a Godly manner, live in a worthy manner” because some opportunities are ungodly.

Primate Ositelu, who has lived in Germany since 1974, and is the author of a book titled African Instituted Churches, said anyone who would chose right, should ask himself before deciding, what Jesus would do in such a situation,  adding that a Divine Opportunity is anything good that  one does, the result of which brings glory to God.

The man of God, who noted that Nigeria needs a credible election, urged all to assist the nation with prayers because “ our future will be brighter than our past” Known for his accurate predictions, Primate  Ositelu, who is also the Pope of Aladura Communion Worldwide, has enjoined Nigerians to start the new year 2011 with a three day fasting from January 1st to 3rd.

TCLAW’s book of predictions and prayers for nations, various professions, each month of the new year is also out.

Eminent personalities including Obas and their Oloris, Chiefs, business tycoons, politicians and youths graced the august occasion.

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