Ikoyi Baptist Church empowers 100 youths at 50th anniversary

• Tasks govt on sufferings of Nigerians

The Ikoyi Baptist Church at the weekend said it was focusing on empowering no fewer than 100 youths with advice, good business plans and seed money worth millions of Naira.

It said it would train the young men and women with bright entrepreneurship ideas and offer scholarships to no fewer than 50 academically inclined youths even as it urged the Federal Government to urgently look into the plight of the suffering masses of the country.

Speaking at a press conference to herald the Church’s 50th year anniversary celebrations, which commenced on Sunday May 21, the Pastor in charge of the ministry, Abayomi Enitan Lawal said since inception, the Church has been very sensitive to happenings around its community.

“Over the years, we have instituted welfare programmes for the poor from different places and backgrounds. But this year, we have a huge budget for the empowerment of youths with advice, business plans and seed money.

“To that extent we have invited representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI) and notable Nigerians like Nebolisah Arah, James Omobere Iyari, Emmanuel Egbuta and ‘Deremi Atanda to train the youths on empowerment, poverty alleviation and entrepreneurship on Tuesday, May 23 in our programme tagged: “Youth Empowerment in The Year of Jubilee,” he said.

He recalled that the Church grew from a borrowed classroom in South West Ikoyi on May 28, 1967 to a two acre land in the heart of Ikoyi, adding that the ministry has become noticeable to the extent that it had impacted lives and continues to do so with its welfare programmes for prisoners, the poor, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and children, among others.

Lawal added that the ministry had enjoyed a special grace of God that saw the Church being pastured by only two pastors in 50 years. Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Nathanile Oyatogun while outlining the programmes for the celebrations said a Symposium with the theme:
“The Church in Remaking a Great Nation,” pointed out that Elder Felix Ohiwerei would be Chairman of the session while the keynote address would be delivered by Dr. Christopher Kolade.