*Officer installed Baba Ijo as mum clocks 80
By John Odunjo
“I’m extremely delighted that I’m stepping into the shoes of my forefather to become the Baba Ijo of the Methodist Church. The first Baba Ijo was my grandfather”.
It was a moment of joy and double celebrations for a gallant police officer, Bode Ojajuni, a Deputy Commissioner of Police recently at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Igbotako in the Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State.
Ojajuni was all smiles and in festive mood as the authorities of the Church installed him the Baba Ijo on the occasion.
The mood of the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the event spoke volumes of his readiness to serve, contribute to the development of the church and as well lift humanity.
His joy was not only for his new status of Baba Ijo, but that his mother, Chief Elizabeth, Abosede Ojajuni, who clocked 80 years recently, was celebrating the auspicious grace of God on the occasion.
Bode Ojajuni, who is at present the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), NPF Ogun State Command, is a former Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command.
In a chat with journalists, Bode Ojajuni said, “My grandfather was the person who brought the Methodist Church Nigeria to Igbotako from Igbobini via Epe, and that was the second Methodist Church in the entire Ikale-Ilaje land. The first one was at Igbobini.
“He brought the church to Igbotako in 1914, so we are marking the 110th year of the establishment and founding of the Methodist Church in Igbotako, Nigeria.
“I’m extremely delighted that I’m stepping into the shoes of my forefather to become the Baba Ijo of the Methodist Church. The first Baba Ijo was my grandfather”.
The DCP’s mother, Chief Elizabeth Abosede Ojajuni, expressed joy on her 80th birthday celebration as she cut her birthday cake amid cheers from the church congregation, traditional rulers, and her children in attendance.
In his sermon titled, ‘Co-labourer in the Vineyard of God’, the Archbishop/Bishop of Igbobini, Most Rev. Dr. O.O.C Fafeyiwa, enjoined the celebrants to be humble and not see themselves as people who have arrived.
He commended them on their commitments to the church and urged them not to join people who would make the work of God retrogress.
Also honoured on the occasion were Mrs Florence Ogunyamoju was also installed as Asiwaju Obinrin Ijo (Women Leader) and her husband as Baba Ewe (Father of the Youths).
A traditional ruler, the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, HRM, Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye, described Ojajuni and his mother as personalities worthy of emulation.
