By Michael Effiong

Popular Preacher, Rev. (Mother ) Esther Abimbola Ajayi and Founder, Love of Christ Generation Church has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance and national unity if they desire the country to succeed despite our present economic circumstances.

Speaking at a media parley to announce the 16th Anniversary of the church and 2nd Anniversary of its Lagos Cathedral, Rev. (Mother) Ajayi stated that every Nigerian desires prayers and her church was open to all persons, no matter their beliefs or religion.

She affirmed that as a nation, apart from shunning religious intolerance, religion should not be a criteria for those we should associate with or appoint into positions. According to her the disunity caused by religious bigots has led us nowhere.

She stated that the anniversaries scheduled for September 3, 2023 in Clapham, London and September 10, 2023 in Lagos, would be used to thank God and also preach unity.

She urged leaders to always seek divine wisdom to lead the country right, while also calling for patience and steadfastness from the citizenry.

Rev (Mother) Ajayi who is fondly called Iya Adura, further admonished Nigerians to stop making negative pronouncements about our country, emphasizing that there is power in the tongue. Rather, she asked Nigerians to pray for and speak positively about the nation.

In her words, “ When Nigeria began, there was nothing like you are a Christian or you are a Muslim, we were one big happy family and I pray that God would come through for Nigeria to return us to those good old days. When Christians are celebrating, Muslim will come around and the same thing used to happen during Christian celebrations. We celebrated together, that is our foundation and we are trying in this church to bring that back.

“What I am preaching is national unity, you don’t have to be a Christian to enter this church, it is my Father’s house. If they come in and God wins their soul, that will be good after all, there is nothing God cannot do, but Love of Christ (LOC) is a place where the glory of God shines for everyone”

Speaking about the anniversaries, Rev. Mother Ajayi stated that the occasion will be used to thank God for his faithfulness through the years.

She stated that the anniversary activities will begin on Saturday, August 26, 2023 with a Youth Sports festival at Pinnock Estate Leisure Centre , Lagos, this would be followed on Sunday, August 27 with a praise and worship session handled exclusively by youths themed “Breaking Limits”.

Sunday, September 3, 2023, would be the turn of London, United Kingdom, where the church began. The event scheduled for LOC Clapham, London SW9 9DA will have Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Ajitena of CLIWOM Sanctuary of Praise, London as special guests.

The Lagos celebration which would also be used to mark the second Anniversary of the LOC Cathedral, Lagos will begin on September 8, 2023 with a 7-hour praise & worship vigil. Sunday, September 10, would feature a Thanksgiving Service which will be the grand finale.

His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will deliver the sermon while former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Uinited Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, Ooni of Ife, HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, Dr (Mrs.) Quincy Ayodele,Mrs Afolakemi Omosalewa, Mr Rotimi George-Taylor, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Retd), Dr. & Mrs Peter Obafemi have all confirmed Attendance.

She also revealed that the following artistes will perform during the anniversary: Lanre Teriba (Atorise), Big Bolaji,Tolani Qadri, Segun Hdonu Williams Addo (Eazy Entertainment), Aduke Gold and Yinka Alaseyori Bidemi Olaoba.

Reflecting on the last 16 years, Rev. Mother Ajayi noted that her most challenging moment was when court bailiffs came to evict her from a 10-bedroom rented property she was using as a church and residence in the UK.

“That day, Bailiffs came with police and even immigration officers and locked up the place. My husband was in the hospital that day and It was as if I would never smile again. They threw us out in the London cold.

“I could not tell my husband so as not to worsen his health condition but as it is said in Luke Chapter 1: 37, with God nothing is impossible. And also as it happened in Psalm 126, The Lord turned around our situation like He turned around the captivity of zion.

“I had only seven pounds on me at the time, I can never forget that occasion, but such affliction will not rise again. The thing about me was that I kept believing, like it is said in Jeremiah Chapter 29: 11. I knew the thought the Lord had for me was that of goodness and not evil, I knew that Jesus Christ would certainly do something. I held on to Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 that there is time and season for everything, I knew that period was just a season and it will soon be gone.

“And that is what I am telling all those who are going through tough times now, it will soon be over because like we all know, as captured in John 3:16, for God so loved the world and gave his only begotten son, God loves us and will always want the best for us. So tough times don’t last but tough people do.

She also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerian youths to remain focused and endeavor to get empowered through formal education. She noted that whatever skill anyone has or desires to acquire, he or she must be educated.

She revealed that it is due to her passion for education and philanthropy in general that her foundation is sponsoring 128 students in various private universities in Nigeria.

She also had a word for singles, urging them not to go into marriage without preparation. According to her “Marriage is a life long thing. It is not like strolling into a supermarket, and if you don’t find what you want, you move to the next one. You need to pray and choose carefully before going into it. That is what we would be concentrating on after this anniversary. ” she stated.