…….as First Baptist Church, Olla, Marks 64th Song Anniversary
A Business Tycoon and Chairman of the Occasion, Comrade Bukola Okemakinde has called on Nigerian youths to move closer to God.
He made the appeal on Sunday, September 21, 2025, during the 64th Song Anniversary of First Baptist Church, Olla, where he received an award for his long-term commitment to the Choir.
Okemakinde also urged the youth to use their voices to praise God, noting that true worship is a powerful tool for spiritual growth.
He commended both past and present members of the church choir for their dedication and contributions, which have sustained the annual celebration of the Song Anniversary over the years.
In his remarks, the Patron of the Sing Songs Service, Dr. Jacob Oluwafemi Fasanya, charged the youth to continually thank and praise the Lord with their voices.
He emphasized that heartfelt praises please God and invite divine answers to prayers. He also thanked God for the steady growth of the church and encouraged the youth to spread the gospel through songs.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salam, stressed the importance of religious tolerance in Nigeria.
He maintained that despite differences in religion and ethnicity, Nigerians are bound together by shared values, environment, and political history.
Dr. Najeem noted that attending a Christian program as a Muslim does not change one’s faith but rather strengthens peace, unity, and love among people.
According to him, “Every organization has its own way of celebrating or appreciating God over the years, and this church has been doing so for the past 64 years. Today, they are holding this as a kind of festival where all the members sing praises unto the Lord, and they are very happy. My advice to the people of Osun is to embrace religious tolerance, which is very necessary in Nigeria despite our diversity. Practicing Islam does not mean I cannot attend a gathering like this.”
The highlight of the event featured various song presentations and the presentation of awards of recognition to outstanding recipients who had served as members of the choir in the past.
