By Richard Thomas
Christian leaders and members in the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly have been charged to rule in the fear of God, in order to establish justice and fair play in the discharge of their duties to humanity and the society at large.
The charge was given by the Lord Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt. Reverend (Dr.) Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe at the induction fellowship of members of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly.
In his sermon, at the programme held at the Christian Legislators’ Fellowship Chapel International, Secretariat, Ibadan, Reverend Aladekugbe admonished christians in the position of leadership to learn to rule in the fear of God, adding that it is God who appoints rulers.
According to him, God does not look at being upright before choosing leaders, saying, to rule in the fear of God, leaders must be conscious of the fact that they are chosen and appointed by God to rule the people, hence the need to maintain Justice, and fair play in all their dealings becomes imperative without being partial.
“Fear can be defined in so many ways, but the fear of God that I am talking about is the fear that makes you love and respect Him, and that which makes you obey Him.
“It is God who appoints rulers and leaders in the affairs and administration of men, so, I charge you as the chosen to rule the people in the fear of God, because every chosen or appointed leader will give account of his work before God.”
The cleric also encouraged them to ask for wisdom in order to promote goodwill and friendship which are hallmark of quality leadership.
Reverend Aladekugbe said as leaders, they should seek the wellbeing of their subjects in order to make them feel important.
“As chosen leaders, you must ask for wisdom from God to enable you operate under His grace, so that the people under you will feel your good leadership.
“You should have respect for God and live in the knowledge that one day you will become ordinary, and give account of your work to God Almighty.”
Speaking, Hon.Olajide Akintunde, a member of the 10th Assembly described the programme a service capable of drawing christian legislators near to God in their legislative activities.
He advised members to seek God and make sure they provide dividends of democracy to people they represent in order to justify the essence of the programme of their leadership.
Also Speaking, President of Christian Legislators’ in the Assembly, Honourable Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi said the vision of the Christian Legislators’ Fellowship is to inculcate fear of God into the lawmakers in order to enable them contribute to the progress of the state through their legislative assignment.
He described the induction as a welcome development, urging the people to pray with them in order to make them discharge their duties in the fear of God.
“We expect to see the reflection of the fear of God in the 10th Assembly legislators after this programme, and we pray that the attendance Christian members in the 10th Assembly will increase more than it was in the nineth Assembly.”
In her vote of thanks, the Clerk of the Assembly, Pastor Mrs Yetunde Awe thanked members and staff of the Assembly for their cooperation and support.
She also thanked the cleric for good delivery of the message through the leading of the Holy Spirit., assuring that the message will have positive impact in the progress of the Assembly.
Highlights of the programme include special prayers and presentation of Bible to Christian Honourable members of the Assembly.
Legislators present at the induction included Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi, Hon.Olajide Akintunde, Hon A.O Oparinde, Hon. A.Ogunsola, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, Hon. Babalola Abiodun.
Others are, Hon. Olubisi M. Michael, Hon. Akintola Johnson, Hon. Olufunke Comforter, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto, and Hon. Ogundele Johnson.
