Hardship: Nonagenarian bishop urges Nigerians to remain hopeful

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

A 90-year-old Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Julius Adelakun, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and never give up in the economic hardship.

Adelakun gave the advice on Friday at an event to celebrate his 90th birthday and 80th birthdays of two other priests: Monsignor Anthony Olawumi and MSGR. Emmanuel Yakubu.

The Nonagenarian Catholic cleric emphasised that people who always express hope would be blessed and never be disappointed.

He enjoined all Nigerians and leaders at all levels to be God-fearing and love one another irrespective of the denomination.

“Heaven helps those who help themselves; it’s not enough to be calling on the leaders alone, all of us must be honest and make love our daily principle.

“The government also should not be selfish; the nation’s resources should be shared fairly and justly and not selfishly,” he said.

Adelakun appreciated all the priests and congregation for honoring him and the two other priests in a special way.

In his sermon, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Most Rev. John Oyejola, described Adelakun as a “faithful servant of God and great teacher” whom God used to make impacts on the church.

He said that the bishop emeritus was a remarkable person whose humility, wisdom and love were beyond verbal expression.

According to him, the bishop lived a selfless and sacrificial life as Jesus did and urged all faithful to emulate such acts.

“Baba is a leader not by authority but by good example, who always put others first. He never did anything by selfish ambition.

“This is a life required for every Christian today, we should always consider the interest of others” Oyejola said.

He also noted that Msgr Yakubu and Olawumi dedicated themselves to the service of God and Humanity for decades as seen in their personal works in different Dioceses.

“They were never tired despite their ages, thank God for giving them as special gifts to the church; God grant them joy at the end.

“God has planted all of us in a place to bear fruit, bear the good, sweet ones so that people can always come back to pluck more from you,” he said.

The Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, described Adelakun as an “exceptional leader” who always humble himself.

“His life of humility is one that everyone of us need to emulate, we thank God for giving him the grace,” he said.

Also, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, urged parents to always train their wards in God’s ways so that they would not constitute nuisance to the society.

Badejo remarked that Adelakun was a gift to his generation because he followed the godly legacy his parents imbibed in him.

“Children and the aged should be created with absolute care and love, taking care of them is pleasing God who ordained it,” he said.

Badejo further remarked that Bishop Adelakun foundation had been a source of succour to the needy and less privileged in the society.

He enjoined well meaning Nigerians and the entire church to join the foundation and be a source of blessing to their generation.

Badejo thanked all the archbishops, bishops, priests and entire congregation for their love and support toward the success of the programme.(NAN)