RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE: Primate Ayodele lays foundation stone for mosque building, commissions bakery for subsidised bread

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

Founder and Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has laid the foundation of a mosque building to be funded by him, in Lagos

Also same say of Saturday February 17, 2024, the Servant of the Most High God commissioned a modern bakery, where bread will be produced at subsidised prices for members of his church and less privileged in general.

The DEFENDER reports the Christian cleric has record of thinking out of programmes done towards ensuring peaceful coexistence among people of various ethnic and religious background in Nigeria, which stands him out especially in his religious community of South West.

He has been responsible for funding of many Muslims to Holy Pilgrimage in Makkah and Madinah, while giving empowerment to widows without isolating Muslims and without any effort, ever, to make them compromise their religious belief.

The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the new mosqhe was performed by the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Emirate Council, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who was represented by the Wakilin Nupe of Lagos and Nupe Community, Alhaji Jubril Magaji.

Present at the event were other eminent personalities like Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Dr. Momodu Afolabi Asafa, Paramount Ruler of Odo Noforija in Epe, Dr. Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja, Oloro of Iloro Ijesa Land, Oba Jegede Idowu, religious leaders, TAMPAN executives, to mention but a few.

The Nupe leader appreciated Primate Ayodele for portraying a rare attribute by showing massive love to the Muslim Community and promoting unity in the religious sector at all times.

He acknowledged the several benevolent acts Primate Ayodele had offered the Muslim Community over the years while expressing how much Etsu Nupe honours the man of God.

He described Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State-born cleric as “a good man who does not discriminate but loves to carry everyone along.”

‘’Today is a great day in the history of our father and clergyman, Primate Ayodele. He has done a historical thing that is rare; his type isn’t much in Nigeria. He is laying the foundation of a great mosque that will be named after our father, the Etsu Nupe, Dr Yahaya Abubakar.

‘’We came from Niger to represent his royal highness because Primate Ayodele is a man of God. He carries everyone along and doesn’t discriminate. Our father, Etsu Nupe honours and loves him so much.’’

‘’Primate, you are a good person and beneficiary to everyone including the muslims, we can’t forget you. We really appreciate you and Baba has ordered us to come stand by you. You will live long and continue to enjoy open doors because you have touched the lives of people.,” the etsu Nupe representative said.

In the same vein, the CEO of Mojec Power, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul, commissioned the bakery initiative, which was birthed to crash the price of bread within the community.

It was revealed that the price of bread will be slashed into two at the bakery which has the capacity to produce 400 loaves of bread daily in order to support affordable buying for church members and the community at large.

According to Mrs. Abdul, Primate Ayodele has done excellently well in assisting the government and helping the needy in all ways.

She acknowledged the increment in the price of bread due to economic challenges while commending Primate Ayodele for such an initiative in this trying time.

Continuing, she presented empowerment funds to widows on behalf of Primate Ayodele, while asking them to continue praying for the man of God who has been helping them.

‘’The least bread anyone can buy today is N1,200. Primate Ayodele coming up with such an initiative shows the genuine love he has for the people. It is my prayer that his ministry continues to grow bigger and God continues to be with him.’’

During their presentation, TAMPAN executives led by Owolabi Ajasa described Primate Ayodele as someone who has helped the theatre industry tremendously. He made it known that he met the prophet last year but ever since, he has been a great supporter of the movie industry.

‘’Let me first of all thank God because whatever we do without God’s will, it will be a waste. One year ago, I was opportune to know Primate Ayodele and he has been a true father to all of us. When we came here last year, we made some requests and Primate surprised us and did all we wanted him to do and more.’’

‘’He promised to come to our inauguration and despite the fact that we postponed it thrice; he still made time available to come around. We have come here to felicitate and appreciate him for being true father to us all.’’

It is worthy of note that Primate Ayodele has been engaging in philanthropic activities for the past 20 days in commemoration of his annual thanksgiving programme.

Since it began on January 29, Primate Ayodele has held the second edition of his palliative market where prices of food commodities were crashed, given out six vehicles to church members and a journalist, visited police stations, schools, hospitals to clear medical bills, commissioned an ultra-modern health care centre, given out tricycles to church members, sponsored JAMB and WAEC forms, to mention a few.

The grand finale of the 21-day annual thanksgiving will be coming up today, 18th February, 2024 with the commissioning of a new church cathedral.

Several gospel musicians like Yinka Ayefele, Yinka Alaseyori, Ebenezer Obey, to mention a few are billed to perform at the grand opening of the cathedral.