HISTORY MADE IN OLAMBE

By Inemesit Ebu

From Left: Rev. Ekerete Ekong, Rt. Rev. Chima Oti, Very Rev. Ikoro Mba Ikoro, Rev. Okoronkwo Nwankwo Okore & Rev. Christian Chiadikobi

Excitement, joy and gratitude to God filled the atmosphere as Olambe Outreach, of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN, was declared a Congregation.

The declaration was done by Rt. Rev. Chima Oti, Moderator, Ikeja Mission Presbytery, IKMP and Minister – in- Charge, The PCN, Ikeja Parish at exactly 11.56am on December 08, 2024 after reading of the history of Olambe Outreach by Very Rev.Ikoro Mba Ikoro, IKMP Clerk, with Rev. Ekerete Solomon Ekong, Resident Minister, present.

Rt. Rev. Chima Oti

In his sermon, the Preacher of the historic day, Rev. Okoronkwo Nwankwo Okore, Associate Minister, Ikeja Parish took his text from Deuteronomy 7:6-11 and Matthew16:15-19, with the topic, ‘I Will Build My Church And The Gate Of Hell Shall Not Prevail Against It’. He emphasized that the foundation of Christ’s Church is His Word which reveals His nature, purposes and will. He reminded all believers in Olambe that they have a part to play in advancing Christ’s kingdom within the environment.

The history of Olambe Congregation cannot be complete without talking into cognizance some individuals’ contributions to actualize its emergence. According to record, during the Ikeja Parish Stated Annual Meeting of February 14, 2010, a suggestion came up to create more Districts.

Cross section of worshippers

This was followed by a decision on February 14, 2011 and February 12, 2012 at the Parish’s Stated Annual Meeting, respectively, to create a new Outreach.

Some members of Women Guild

This was made possible with the relocation of some members of PCN Ikeja Parish members to Olambe area which necessitated the creation of Olambe District by the Parish’s Session on July 14, 2012.

To create awareness, later in 2012, a proposal was made to the Parish Session by the Parish Evangelism Committee, with Elder (Mrs) Agnes Ntanyi as Convener, to have an outdoor Crusade. A search for a suitable ground for the Crusade begun.

Elder (Mrs) Agnes Ntanyi

Those who went for the search included Elder (Mrs) Agnes Ntanyi, Elder Uzo Inyima Chukwu, Sister Ada Ofounye, Engr. Obinna Agwu, Brother Raphael Kalu, Brother Uduma Kalu, Sister Rachael Uduka and Sister Millicent Anku. After recommendations of some locations, Tipper Garage on Akute-Ajuwon road was selected.

On the 9th of September, 2012, the Minister-In-Charge, Rev. (Dr) Uma A. Onwunta, Associate Minister, Rev. Paddy Ukpe, in company of Elders and parishioners held an inaugural service at the temporal location with the sermon titled’Manifesting as the best in Olambe’. A total of 88 people attended the inaugural Church service.

To enable the Outreach members have a place of worship, a suggestion was made in one of the session meetings led by Rt. Rev. Sunday Agara there that a temporary structure be erected on the permanent land. So, the first service was held on the permanent land on 15th January, 2017 with 42 worshippers . The Preacher was Engr. Obinna Agwu and the Sunday School Teacher was Sister Chinedu Okocha.

On March 2017, Rev. Julius Abeng was posted to Olambe as the Prover and was retained. His administration helped in shaping Olambe Outreach in growth and developments. Presently, the posting of Rev. Ekerete Solomon Ekong has yielded so much in the Outreach, spiritually, structurally, physically and otherwise, to the glory of God.

Rev. Ekerete Ekong

It is hoped that as Olambe becomes a Congregation, it will grow rapidly both spiritually and physically to become a Parish. With all hands on deck, the Church Auditorium will be completed soon.

Courtesy: Elder (Mrs) Agnes Ntanyi
(Ikeja Parish Session Clerk)

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