C.A.N @50: SAINT S.B.J. OSHOFFA HONOURED WITH FATHER OF FAITH AWARD
Kayode Ajala
Celestial Church founder recognised for enduring legacy in Christianity as First Lady, former national leaders, prominent public officials and Christian leaders grace golden jubilee celebration
The Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N) has honoured the founder of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa, with its prestigious Father of Faith Award, in recognition of his enduring legacy and contributions to the Christian faith.
The posthumous award was presented as part of activities marking CAN’s 50th anniversary, celebrated at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in attendance as special guest of honour.
The recognition places the revered founder among distinguished personalities celebrated during the Christian umbrella body’s golden jubilee for their contributions to the Church, Christian unity and national development.
The award was received on behalf of the late founder by the Secretary of the Pastor in Council and Head of Media and Publicity, Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala JP, MPIC. He was accompanied by Assistant Most Superior Evangelist John O. Babalola, Mother Celestial Eunice Babalola and other representatives of the Church.
The ceremony brought together prominent Christian leaders, representatives of different denominations, government officials and other distinguished personalities from across Nigeria and beyond to celebrate five decades of CAN’s contribution to Christian fellowship, unity and service to humanity.
Other prominent award recipients at the golden jubilee included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.); former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former President Goodluck Jonathan; and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who received the Pillar of Faith Award. Senator Oluremi Tinubu was among those honoured with the Christian Icon Award. Other recipients included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and several other public officials.
The Father of Faith Award to Saint Oshoffa is particularly significant in view of his place in the history of Christianity in Nigeria and the international growth of the Celestial Church of Christ. Founded on September 29, 1947, the Church has grown beyond its Nigerian origins, establishing a presence in several countries and bringing together worshippers from diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
Saint Oshoffa’s spiritual legacy continues to inspire generations of clergy and members of the Church, whose commitment to worship, evangelism and service sustains the vision upon which the religious movement was established.
CAN’s golden jubilee celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on the association’s 50-year journey of promoting unity among Christian denominations and recognising individuals whose contributions have left lasting marks on the Church and society.
The posthumous honour bestowed on Saint Oshoffa therefore represents more than a ceremonial distinction; it is a public acknowledgement of his enduring place in Nigeria’s Christian history and the continuing influence of the movement he founded.
For the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, the award is a moment of pride and a reaffirmation of the founder’s enduring legacy, decades after the establishment of the Church.
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