Avoid pitfalls of downfall – Onisapa advised at thanksgiving
Jeremiah OYELEKE
Onisapa of Isapa Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide Olajide I, has been advised to carefully avoid the pitfalls that brought King Uzziah’s downfall.
The new Oba who held separate thanksgiving services at the weekend at Araada Central Mosque and at the Gaa-Lagbesu Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, was told that toeing the same path as King Uzziah will cause his downfall.
Advertisement
The admonition was given by Rev’d Hezekiah Oladotun Olaniran the minister-in-charge of Gaa-Lagbedu Baptist Church, where the new monarch worships on Sundays.
In his exhortation, Rev’d Olaniran urged Onisaapa to continue to thank God and the people while charging him to eschew arrogance which he noted brought the downfall of King Uzziah quoting II Chronicle 26:16.
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
Advertisement
The cleric asserted Uzziah was close to God and grew prominent but that he turned against God, became arrogant before God which he said precipitated his downfall.
Olaniran therefore charged Oba Olajide to avoid toeing that path.
He added, “He should not ignore God, he should not dump his family and his people generally or disregard ministers of God,” submitting, “That is the mistake Uzziah made that made him not end well. Kabiyesi, l pray you will end well.”
Advertisement
In his own Alhaji Imam Usman Muhammed Raji Alkawi, Imam Ora Gada and who is interim Chief Imam of Ogbomoso South Muslim Community Central Mosque at Araada, expressed happiness the monarch could hold the thanksgiving urging him to “embrace all irrespective of religious faiths. l also admonish you to eschew favouritism.”
Onisapa in his speech was full of appreciation to God for making his ascension possible.
Also, he expressed gratitude to a wide spectrum of people including the church of God, the congregation at the mosque and clerics.
In addition, the Oba thanked Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye; Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran; Aale of Okelerin Oba Samuel Babatunde Amao; the several traditional rulers such as Baale Ijeru; Baale Onilero Elesun (Owonbeloko); those who personally attended, Isapa kingmakers, Alhaji Raimi and other chiefs.
He as well expressed thanks to the Oyo state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde; commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Hon Segun Olayiwola; permanent secretary and directors in the ministry; and Ogbomoso South local government chairman, Hon Oyeniyi Timothy.
Onisapa at the Araada Mosque during the thanksgiving
Others are political bigwigs including Hon Sanjo Adedoyin (Majority Leader Oyo State House of Assembly), Hon Wale Adeleke, Hon Taiwo Alagbe and Hon Remi Odetomi; religious leaders such as Prophet Morakinyo Oyatumo, Rev’d Dr. Adetayo, Rev’d Dr Durosawo, Rev’d Dr Deji Adisa, the chairman of Ogbomoso Muslim Community who is his Areago, Alhaji Morufu, Bishop Dr. Moronfoluwa Moradeyo, Ogbomoso zonal chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev’d Dr Niyi Ojo (Ogbomoso Baptist Conference president), heads of churches and so on.
Various societies and groups in the church including Unity Society, Oba Bi Olorun Kosi, Ajenifuja, Leader of Tomorrow Society and so on are also in the list.
He assured in an interview with ogbomosoinsightonline.com that he would work to raise the stake in Isapa kingdom by facilitating progress and development.
