By Florencemary Nwabueze
The former Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Area F. Command, Rev'd Professor Johnson A. Olatunde, has expressed delight over the rescue of the kidnapped Oriire school children, during his 85th birthday celebration which stood as a testament to a life dedicated to God, community service, and national development, with prayers for the nation's peace, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
The 85th birthday celebration with a grand thanksgiving service at The Evangel Faith Mission Church, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, was marked by dancing, singing, and celebration as family, friends, and church members gathered to honour the beloved clergyman.
In his remarks during the celebration, Reverend Professor Johnson expressed profound gratitude to God for sparing his life to witness his 85th birthday. However, what moved him most was his heartfelt appreciation for the safe return of the kidnapped children from Oriire, Oyo State.
"I feel very happy today being my 85th birthday. I'm happy that in my lifetime, I still see my friends, old friends, and the Church of God, and my children," he said. "We are happy that the children that were kidnapped in Oriire, Oyo, we thank God that the government have brought them back. We thank God that the federal government are continuing to make sure that all these children are safe because of the violence of the kidnapping."
The octogenarian also used the platform to offer prayers for the current administration, expressing hope in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda."
"We are praying for this current government. According to him 'renewed hope agenda.' We pray that our president will fulfil his promises to the nation, especially to the youth. We have jobless youth all over the places. We thank God for his role, and for the retirees. He has not paid the retirees their money, it's just of recent. We thank God for his service. We are praying for him."
Speaking on the role of Christianity in national development, Reverend Professor Johnson emphasized the church's responsibility in propagating peace and security in Nigeria.
"As a pastor, I think Christianity is doing a good job in propagating peace and security in Nigeria today. We still have a lot of work to do. Because this is end time, most of us will not join politics, because we say politics is a dirty game. But now, the notice is here. Our people, ministers, generals overseas, are in there. They know their responsibilities. And they are now ready to put weight in the community problems, what is happening in the country. Especially, this kidnapping all over the place. We don't want to experience this type of thing again."
Drawing from his experience as former PCRC Chairman, he stressed the importance of community policing: "We know that community policing is important for every one of us, whether we like it or not. Security is everybody's business. And when we see something, we say something. We want all the pastors to join hands together with the government to enforce security policies so that everyone of us will be sleeping withour two eyes closed"
Reflecting on his decades of service and leadership, Reverend Johnson offered counsel to aspiring pastors: "What I can advise all the pastors coming up is to keep up. We want all the pastors to join hands together with the government to enforce security policies so that every one of us will be living with our two eyes closed."
Speaking during the event, Apostle David Itaiwo Ogitage, General Overseer of the Tri-Dictory Crusaders Mission and President of EGBAS, described Rev. Johnson as "my brother, father and mentor." He said. "There is no kind of people that Baba does not relate with. Nothing like tribalism in him, no nepotism in him, no religious barrier. His life is full of kindness and love."
Also speaking, Reverend Chaplain Samuel Aleton from Christ Tabernacle Gospel Church, who has known the celebrant since 1985, praised Rev. Johnson's humility: "What I admire is his humility. He humbles himself a lot."
Also Elder George M. Okoye, who served as Secretary under Rev. Johnson's leadership in the PCRC around 2012 to 2014 spoke of his remarkable rise from Chairman of Makinde Division to Chairman of Area F Command, which controls ten divisions. "That shows capacity. That shows that somebody is dedicated to do something. When God has given you a mandate, he will give you the strength. He will give you the wisdom. He will give you spiritual powers in order to do that."
Mr. Salman Akundi, current Chairman of Ojodu PCRC Division, testified to his predecessor's excellence: "During his tenure, there was no acrimony among the members. Everything was working amicably. He is a reliable man, excellent, perfect man. The way you see him, he is open-minded. And the service he is giving is a selfless service."
Reverend Elijah Kutundi, a friend of the Rev. Johnson for over 50 years, said: "He's a generous man. He's a man of faith. Even we call him the father of grace. In Yoruba, we call him Baba Odiofe. There's nobody that can offend him. If you offend him, he'll just laugh with you."
The event also featured the presentation of awards to notable individuals who have contributed to the church, including Pa Prof Johnson Olatunde himself, and posthumous awards to the late Pastor Jo Mathins, late Pastor Isaac Oyerinde, Late Pastor Peter Shoyooye, late Rev. Dr. Matthew Sobiye, and Rev. Dr. Moses Owolabi VK.