Head of the African Church, Ifako Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi has said that the First Lady of Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode should apologise a
Head of the African Church, Ifako Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi has said that the First Lady of Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode should apologise as her husband, the governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode’s action which is a direct result of her own actions is nothing short of a sacrilege.
Ambode not only sacked the Presiding Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Ikeja, Venerable Femi Taiwo, for allegedly disrespecting the wife of the governor, he was ordered to move out of his official quarters within 24 hours.
In a recent interview, Adeyemi who is the boss of Taiwo said if Ambode or his wife knew the tenets of Christianity, they would not deal with Taiwo the way they did.
“What has happened is a sacrilege and Ambode should know that. We have been appreciating his efforts in Lagos. Why will he allow himself to get involved in such a trivial issue that can spoil his public image?
“The embarrassment they caused us has never happened to any other denomination. Even during the military era, this can never happen… we all fought for a Christian governor. If Mrs Ambode is trying to cause divide and rule among the Christians, she should go ahead. We are not afraid of anything.
Governor Ambode and Venerable Taiwo
“We understand that Mrs Ambode is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, let her go and ask the RCCG Pastor, Enoch Adeboye, whether what she did was the right thing to do to a minister of God. It is ungodly and very sad. Not even in a military regime was this type of action contemplated.”
Adeyemi also vouched for Taiwo, whom he described as a very responsible minister of God.
“He is very knowledgeable, humble and disciplined. I have worshiped at that chapel a few times myself. I made personal investigations about him. Even the members of the chapel are saddened by this development. If you know about what they have been doing since this incident happened, you will know venerable Taiwo is a man everybody respects.”
Meanwhile, the church was a shadow of itself on Sunday during the Sunday service as many members of the church did not show up. It was observed that the chapel was sparsely filled as the service, which usually ended around 1pm, was brought to a close at 11.30am. Of the 30 church members that were supposed to be part of the birthday thanksgiving service for the month of May, only nine were present. From the prayer session, led by the Chaplain, Very Rev. Ayo Oyadotun, to the choir ministration, the general theme was overcoming difficult times and fighting forces seeking to scatter the church.
Due to the backlash that trailed news of Venerable Taiwo’s sacking, with Nigerians expressing disappointment at the action of Ambode, asking him to call his wife to order and rescind the decision, the Lagos State Government, shifted the thanksgiving service for the Lagos@50 celebration from the chapel to the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa.
Mrs Ambode and Venerable Taiwo
Punch
