OSOGBO (Sundiata Post) – The national president, The Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola, on Thursday expressed the church’s readiness to support the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on infrastructural development by giving up a branch of the church at the heart of the state capital for road construction.
He stated this while receiving an N87,932,510 cheque as compensation for The Apostolic Church of Nigeria whose branch at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo has been marked for removal to allow for the construction of Olaiya-Ita Olokan dual carriage way.
Pastor Olutola held that the church is a partner with the governor in his quest to turn Osun State’s fortune around for good, thus the agreement by the church on the separation of her branch for the project to enhance free flow of traffic at the popular Olaiya Junction.
He also expressed satisfaction over the decision of the state government to compensate the church, saying Governor Aregbesola has distinguished himself as an epitome of transformation and performance.
Olutola noted that the leadership of the church found it easy to cooperate with government on the removal of the church building simply because it has been the principle of the church to abide and support the authority.
The clergy man said, “We want to thank God today that the leadership of our church and Government of Osun were able to arrive at a meaningful conclusion that resorted in this compensation.
“Our general principle in the Apostolic Church is respect for constituted authorities and government, because the Holy Book (Bible) teaches us to obey those people in the position of authority. That is why we deemed it fit to release the church for the state to construct road which we believe will serve the general public.
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“With this compensation, our Governor has really shown to us his love for peace and passion for development which has manifested and impacted tremendously in the lives of Osun people.
“It is our duty as men of God to pray, support and as well assist government in all ramifications for general success, and we are ready to continue in supporting this administration because once government fails, we all fail.
Governor Aregbesola, however, used the occasion of the presentation of cheque to the church to reiterate that his administration remained committed to its resolve to turn the state around through massive infrastructural development and financial re-engineering in the face of the present cash crunch affecting the country.
The governor stressed that he would live up to his statutory responsibilities regardless of the current economic situation the state might be encountering.
He noted that the church was valued at sum of N57.9 million, stressing that the state having considered the constant renovation of the church resolved to add N30 million to its valued cost making N87.9 million.