AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Officials of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and members of CAC Arogungbogunmi International, as well as friends and well-wishers from far and near erupted into singing and dancing in appreciation of God’s goodness on Sunday, July 14, 2024 as the church celebrated its 28th anniversary in grand style at its Olunde headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Those in attendance, dressed in colourful attires, were full of praise to God for seeing the church through its trying times and for making it a beacon of hope for the long-suffering masses.
Prophet Richard Kolawole, President of CAC Arogungbogunmi International and his wife, Prophetess Christianah Olanike, beamed with smiles in gratitude to God for the grace upon them to plant the church and spread the gospel of Christ despite the daunting challenges that were faced.
Kolawole, who is also the General Evangelist of CAC Worldwide, attributed the success story of CAC Arogungbogunmi International to commitment to the leading of God.
Prophet Kolawole said, “Christ Apostolic Church Arogungbogunmi clocks 28 today. This church is in a pagan community. It was the grace of God that made this church to stand till today. It was not an easy task for this church to survive here.
“We thank God. We showed the people love. Before you can win a soul for Christ, you must use the principle of love. I can tell you categorically, 85per cent of the entire population of this church are converts. We didn’t bring members of other churches to this place. God used us to win souls for Christ here. Those who are here were those whose hearts were won to Christ through the ministration here; not members of other churches. They were won to Christ through the ministration by this church.
“I exalt the King of Kings for my appointment as the General Evangelist of CAC, Nigeria and Overseas on the 17th October 2023. I started the ministry as a young evangelist. I celebrate the principal officers of this great mission. I celebrate my jewel, Prophetess Christianah Olanike Kolawole for her invaluable roles.”
He warned, “In this difficult time, Christians should not fold their arms and should not keep quiet. We are approaching the end of the world. You can hear of happenings in America as well as Nigeria. We shall overcome it in Jesus name.”
Reminding the citizens of the word that God gave him for the nation on the eve of 2024, he said, “Firstly in my message to Nigeria, I said that the people should be fervent in prayer. I said this would be a difficult year as there would be inflation. If you review my message, you would see it there. I said that for President Tinubu to succeed, he needs to step on toes and fight the battle with the powers that be and hold the bull by the horn. That is when things would work well. Secondly, Christians should pray that Nigeria should not turn upside down, and that God should uphold the country.”
Earlier in an interview with journalists at the anniversary of the church, the President of CAC Worldwide, Dr Henry Ojo, stressed the need for people at the grassroots to begin to check the performances of local government authorities and ask questions when necessary.
Dr Ojo described a situation where the governors pocket the local government councils in their states as unhealthy.
Hailing the Supreme Court judgement on the matter, he said it was heartwarming that the citizens can now hold the local government responsible for non performance courtesy of the judgement.
He faulted the 1999 Constitution which he noted was foisted on the people by the military, saying that it armed those in government with excessive power.
Dr Ojo said, “I discovered that it is not the problem of those who are in government. It is the problem of the constitution. Our constitution is corrupt and needs to be rewritten. There is nothing that President Bola Tinubu can do outside the provision of the constitution. If he wants to tamper with the country’s constitution, we would accuse him that he failed to follow the constitution.
“The only thing he can do now is to constitute a constitution amendment committee to amend it. Presidential system of government is very expensive. Since Nigeria adopted the presidential system of government, we have been having problems. Those in the National Assembly are not supposed to be there full time but our constitution says that they should be there full time. Until we restructure the country, nothing will change.
“I believe that this would usher in development at the grassroots level. If we have the federal, state and the local government running well, it would be better. But a situation where the governors pocket the local government councils could not help. Now, we can hold the local government responsible if there is no development.”
On the Supreme Court judgement, he said, “My advice is that the governors should allow the LGAs to function effectively. Without that, there would not be anything to show for it. They should allow the LGAs to operate freely.”
Lauding the efforts of Prophet Richard Kolawole, he said, “My word to Christians all over the world is to be steadfast. We are coming closer to the end of the world. What is happening across the globe is a sign that the coming of the Lord is at hand. Church should prepare for the rapture of believers.”
