The Catholic faithful of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Otu, gathered together with the Parish Priest in the early hours of Saturday, February 8th, 2025 in great joy for the foundation laying ceremony of the parish Mission House. The solemn event was officiated by His Lordship, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo.

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Alaba, who, on behalf of the entire parish, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Bishop for his presence. "I am glad to see our Bishop in our parish today. This is a significant moment for us as a community and for the entire Diocese," he said.

Representing the parishioners, Mr. Ayangbade Peter, Vice Chairman of Itesiwaju Local Government and the PPC Chairman of the parish, welcomed the Bishop and prayed for God's continuous strength upon him.

The parish youth president, Mr. Ayangbade Zacchaeus Ayanleye, also expressed his joy especially for being part of the historic occasion. "I am very excited to witness this event, and I feel blessed that it is happening during my tenure as the youth president," he said. He then encouraged the youths to remain committed to the growth and development of the Church.

Following the welcoming ceremony was a Solemn Mass which had the Bishop as the Chief-Celebrant. In his homily, Bishop Badejo reflected on Biblical figures who unknowingly assisted prophets of God, emphasizing that those who support the work of God will never be left empty-handed. He urged the faithful not to grow weary in their sacrifices and contributions toward the Church’s progress. "Helping the Church is never in vain. God sees all our efforts and will surely bless everyone who contributes to His work," the Bishop said.

The Bishop also took time to pray for all benefactors of the Church, asking Almighty God to bless them continually and provide for their needs. He commended the dedication of the parishioners and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith.

In an interview with the PPC Chairman, Mr. Ayangbade Peter, he shared his excitement about witnessing the foundation laying, acknowledging the efforts made before this day. "A lot of work and prayers have gone into making this happen, and we thank God that today, it has become a reality. I also appreciate the Bishop for his unwavering support for our parish," he remarked.