Daniel UGWO

The procession on Sunday 23 November 2025, marking the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King, an event of high reverence in the Universal Church, brought together members from Catholic Parishes within Ile-Ife deanery. Unlike last year when all parishes jointly participated in the procession, many this year observed the processing within their Parish territory. After participating in Holy Mass at their respective parishes, members who participated collectively gathered 1.00pm at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Parakin, Ile-Ife, the starting point for the procession. Through the streets of Parakin-Eleyele, the journey with musical praises attracted onlookers within the territory as the movement ends at the mother parish of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife.

At the gathering, Monsignor Michael Okodua, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Igboya educated that the public celebration of Christ-the-King is to proclaim Him as what He truly is. He considers the event a big celebration and a privilege to be a partaker, while urging Catholics to thank God that they are members of a true Church, founded by Christ Himself. He considered Christ’s kingdom as that of grace, love, king and justice, which should never be misused. 

Earlier, the Parish Priest, Saints Peter & Paul Pro-Cathedral, Lagere – Rev. Fr. Peter Adeyemi noted that the good news celebrated on Sunday is that; in Christ, there exist a king who is interested in temporal and spiritual well-being of human, unlike kings and rulers of this world that serve themselves. Relating with Biblical fact, the Priest compared the longing of Israelites of old for a king which later produced King David whose rule was different, to those of leaders of Nigeria, voted into office and expected to govern by democracy.

Fr Adeyemi saw a corresponding difference in the collective choice of the Israelites for David, compared with the choices of Nigerians for leaders. Adding that, on the part of Nigerians, they misplaced their votes, putting in power leaders who make life difficult for them - after receiving peanuts in the form of monetary inducement, miserable quantity of food and few inconsequential material items. Above all, according to the clergyman, Christ demonstrated in concrete manner that leadership is for service not for exploitation. He advocated that in Nigeria, there is need for civil leaders, who are oppressing and exploiting the masses to imitate Christ the King who came to serve and not to be served. He added further that the political leaders in Nigeria rather superintend over poverty, insecurity, hunger and diseases ravaging the nation.

According to him, “many losers among the political class would rather sink the boat of the nation because they are not in power and are denied access to the commonwealth of the people that they have turned into freebie private property.” Fr Adeyemi however appealed to those trying to destabilize the nation through promotion of banditry, terrorism and sabotage to desist from these heinous crimes. He challenged all and sundry at this time, to put aside their own needs for love and happiness and reach out in love to make someone happy. He also encouraged human beings, especially Nigerians to open their heart for Christ the King to take possession and rule over them.