Inter-faith relations took another leap forward in the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, on Sunday November 17, when a devout Muslim, Alhaji Barrister Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria donated an assembly hall to the Diocese at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Isalu, Iseyin.

The modern 400-seater assembly hall, built to replace the former 80-year old edifice which collapsed due to age, was named after Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese and Metropolitan of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, who is an indigene of Oke Ogun area in Oyo State.

The Mass for the blessing and commissioning of the hall, on Sunday 17 November, 2024, had Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin, as the Chief Celebrant, while Bishop Emmanuel Badejo concelebrated, with Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, the Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Iseyin and Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasola.

 

In his speech, the donor of the hall, Alhaji Barrister Ahmed Raji (SAN), who was accompanied by other eminent Muslim associates, explained the rationale behind his commitment to working with the Catholic Church. He listed the Church’s long-standing tradition of humble service which has endured for centuries, its remarkable strides in the development of the society and humanity at large and the unparalled foresight of the Church in the service of humanity and especially of the Iseyin community.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who, in 2022, already donated a state-of-the-art Operating Theatre Building and Equipment to Our Lady Catholic Hospital, Iseyin mentioned the hospital, one of the health institutions of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, as a real beacon of grassroots healthcare since his childhood. He noted that the Church, preaching the Gospel with all she possesses, has saved many lives and helped many through her medical and educational institutions respectively. He said that in his experience, the Church especially at the grassroots, does not discriminate against anyone. He then advised Catholics, especially the youths not to abandon the Church and to jettison the ‘japa’ (runaway) trend which has proved to be a scourge to the grassroots and our society at large, as it takes away the necessary manpower needed to build the society. He told them to stay in the faith, appreciate what they have, do as much good as they should and make it spread through them to other people and other places.

 

The Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, in his homily at the Mass which was celebrated after the blessing of the hall, reminded all present of the need to seek the good of others. Referring to the readings of the Sunday, he emphasized the words of scripture that those who have instructed many in virtue will shine as bright as stars for all eternity.

He said, “while instructing others in virtue demands living a righteous life as good examples for others to see, it is as well important to help contribute to the progress of the society, in order to provide the resources needed for development and righteous living.” According to Bishop Badejo, this demands that faith be brought to practical action, to help others to grow. This works even better when the relationship between different faiths bears such positive fruits like what Alhaji Raji, SAN has done for the Catholic community of Iseyin. The Bishop lauded the zeal of Barrister Raji SAN for inter-faith relations, which has borne a lot of fruits. He noted that the kind gestures of the erudite lawyer towards the Catholic Church are an appreciation of the Church’s sacrifice and dedication to integral human development, solidarity and the common good. He therefore challenged all present to keep working for the good of their neighbors and the society without caring about race, creed or status.

He referred to the centurion in the Bible in Luke chapter 7, whose kindness to the Jews in helping to build their synagogue, despite not being a Jew, won him the favor of Jesus as a legitimizing episode for Alhaji Raji’s noble gesture. As Jesus healed the centurion’s servant the Bishop prayed that God bless Alhaji Raji and his family and all such people of goodwill.

In his response. Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, having earlier received the keys to the hall named after him, expressed delight at the honour done to him. He also thanked the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, and especially the donor of the hall, Alhaji Barrister Ahmed Raji, SAN and the entire Iseyin Catholic Community. He noted that Iseyin is a place where he has always been received warmly since his days as a seminarian, when he with other seminarians used to pass by to report to their priests, on their ways to his hometown of Iwere - Ile, in Iwajowa Local Government, Oyo State.

The Prelate, whose expressions showed that he is always proud of his humble beginning as one of the leading lights of Oke Ogun, a part of Oyo State which has for a long time been starved of infrastructure and social amenities in its many parts, a need for which the Catholic Church has sought to provide within her limited resources over time. He prayed that the Church continue to be a light for others to see and encouraged all not to rest on their oars to carry the light of faith everywhere they go.

The Dean of Iseyin Deanery, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo at the end of the Mass, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop, the Bishop and the donor of the hall. He noted that the blessing and commissioning of the hall building is a call to greater duty for the Church in the Deanery to continue to spread the good news in every way possible and to all and sundry.

The lay faithful represented by Mr. Joseph Fawole appreciated the presence of the dignitaries. Also present at the ceremony were the Vicar General of Oyo Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Oladiipo, other priests in Iseyin Deanery, Reverend Sisters and the lay faithful. The entire Catholic Community of Iseyin, Oyo Diocese was fully represented at the ceremony.