The Archbishop’s residence in Onireke area of Ibadan was filled with clergy and lay faithful on Friday 3rd January, 2025 for the Archdiocesan Annual Get-together with the Archbishop. The Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin personally moved round to welcome everyone to the event before the official commencement.

The Masters of ceremony for the day, Rev. Frs: Stephen Balogun and Peace Jemibor invited Dignitaries that included the Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Felix Alaba Job; Vicar General, V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami; Vicar for the Male Religious, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Kouuzer, SMA; Female Religious, Rev. Sr. Theodora Imie, OP; Laity Council President, Mr Felix Oladokun Olujide; Archdiocesan Presidents of CMO, CWO and CYON: Mr Felix Adoroh, Lady Clara Oke and Mr Happy Innocent Eze respectively to join the Chief Host, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin on the High table, followed by opening prayer said by Rev. Fr. Benjamin Unachukwu, OMV.

While welcoming all to the annual event, the Archdiocesan Laity President, Mr Felix O. Olujide said that even though the year 2024 was full of challenges, such as subsidy removal and its effects on both individuals and the Church, there is still the need to give thanks to God. He added that “we are lucky as Catholics, with the Pope’s declaration of the Jubilee Year of Hope on 24th December 2024” and therefore appreciated the Archbishop for the annual event as well as His Grace’s leadership style.

Mr Olujide also thanked the Archbishop Emeritus, Most Rev. Dr. Felix Alaba Job, Priests, Religious, Knights and Lay faithful for coming out in large number for the event and for their usual supports.

The Archbishop in his address also appreciated the entire Clergy and Lay faithful. His Grace used the occasion to pour out his mind on what he described as laziness in the Church; as the laity often leave priests on the altar to do everything, as well as laity’s laziness when it comes to saying ‘amen’ in the Church.

Using the Cathedral as an example, the Archbishop said a new spirit has been taken up, such that any little prayer, the ‘amen’ would shake the wall. He therefore admonished thus: “It is our duty to say ‘amen’ to every prayer in the Church. From today, no more laziness in our parishes.”

His Grace also talked about his current residence which was built in 1954 and appealed on the need to build another one for the good of the Church’s Shepherd.

The Chief Shepherd of Ibadan stated further that the annual get-together is an opportunity to reflect on the Church’s journey throughout the year and to give thanks to God and so, “On behalf of Papa Emeritus, I welcome all, not because you have come; even those that are not here, I welcome them.”

His Grace thanked those who have contributed to the successes recorded in the outgone year which could be described as a turbulent year but the Church keeps growing with the highlights of the achievements thus:

• New structure of the Archdiocese increased from 5 deaneries to 8 deaneries and with that, all sub-groups in the previous deaneries stand dissolved for a new structure. Also a map will be sent around to know where parishes belong in the new deaneries.
• The Archdiocese continues to receive letters from Religious Organizations who want to come to Ibadan Archdiocese.
• A new Bishop of Ilorin, Most Rev. Anselm Pendo Lawani installed on 2nd February, 2024.
• Some priests celebrated 10th and 25th priestly ordination anniversaries within the year.
• 75th Birthday of Archbishop Abegunrin took place in September, 2024.
• Priestly ordination of 5 priests on 15th August, 2024.
• Return of some priests-on-study abroad to the Archdiocese.
• Increase in the number of Priests and Sisters that came into the Archdiocese within the year.
• Construction of Caritas Waiting Lounge, opposite A&E Dept, University College Hospital, Ibadan and its Commissioning on 1st November, 2024.
• Improvement in the operation of College of Nursing Sciences, Oluyoro.
• Opening of Holy Door by Pope Francis on 24th December and that of 29th December in the Archdiocese to inaugurate Jubilee Year of Hope.
• Declaration of some centres as Pilgrimage centres as announced during the inauguration Mass on 29th December, 2024. “They are: Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Grotto, the Archdiocesan Grotto at Eleta; the Marian Grotto at our Cathedral, St. Mary, Oke Padi; the Marian Grotto at Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help, Lade; the National Grotto of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers at Mary Assumpta, Olubadan; the Marian Grotto at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Agbowo; the Grotto at St. Gregory, Moniya; the Grotto at the Schoenstatt Community, Ijokodo; the Grotto at St. Cyprian, Oke-Offa and for those who wish to make a pilgrimage outside Ibadan, we have chosen the Marian Grotto at Otan -Ayegbaju, but please liaise with the Chancery so that we can communicate with the pilgrimage centre officially.”
• Re-fertilization of the families and (on a sad note)
• Stampede during Christmas.

 

His Grace therefore, charged all to go for charity with common sense and also to pray for the grieving families. He added that the hardship in Nigeria calls for solidarity as he said “when we stand together, we can overcome the most challenging difficulties.

 

Other highlights of the event included: Cutting of cake, performance by HCA of Lade parish, comedy, Toast by Rev. Sr. Beatrice Jegede, SSMA and refreshment.

The Vicar General, V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Oyelami gave a vote of thanks at the event and closing prayer by Rev. Sr. Theodora Imie, OP.