15/04/2024
Triumph and Rise of Methodist Church Nigeria,Bashua Circuit Shomolu
‘The Elevation Story of a Local Church’
Problems have solutions so they say,controversies,challenges and some kind of troubles most times end up becoming a catalyst for growth,development and expansion.In the case of Bashua Methodist Church,it was a new dawn after a turbulent period of crises and rancour at the Fakorede Methodist Church Ereko circuit,Fakorede Street Shomolu in the mid 60s.
The Methodist Church Nigeria Fakorede Shomolu progressively experienced phenomenal growth till 1965.However,internal rancor and challenges of misunderstandings then led to the disintegration of members falling into different groupings,the Yorubas from Bariga left on 15th September 1968 to establish a new Methodist church at Bariga,the Efik joined the Igbobi College chapel before establishing their’s at Anifowoshe Street Shomolu,the Igbos broke away to establish a new Methodist Church Nigeria at Folami Street Shomolu where the remnants of the Yorubas from Fakorede led by Late Brother Odukoya,the society steward in that time joined to worship.It is interesting to note that amidst some inconveniences and protocol lapses,the Yoruba society in Folami Church were growing from strength to strength culminating in the appointment of leaders for the Yoruba section of the Folami Church.
Consequently on Thursday 16th January 1968,the Yoruba section in Folami Church appointed the first set of leaders at a meeting held at 16th Market Street Shomolu based on the recommendations of the peace committee chaired by Late Bro. D.O. Somoye who was appointed by the Lagos District Chairman to organize the possibilities of reconciliation among the disintegrated Fakorede Church.The item (b) of the report stated that ‘all at the reconciliatory meeting agreed that the splinted various groups should be allowed to remain independent,each attracting more members into its fold in the hope that time will heal the wounds inflicted by the dispute’.The leaders were Bro. J .O. Sh*ttu,Bro S.A.Sholaiya,Bro.D.O.Adeyoruwa,Bro. E.O.Ogunlegan,Bro. E.O.Oduyale,Bro. E.O.Adeyemi,Bro.S.O.Ademilugba,Bro Olu Dairo,Sis.O.L.Okutuga,Sis.Adeloye,Sis.Onananwo and Sis. Akinwande.
Still at Folami Church precisely on 28th November 1968 the Church was matching on,the first ‘Iya Ijo’was appointed,she was the Late Sis. O. L Okutuga, by 31st May 1969,the first official leaders meeting of the Yoruba group was held at Folami Church and appointments were made and certified while a decision was taken to open a bank account for the society,the district chairman then Late Rev’d Shodipo was the signatory to the account.This must have marked the beginning of a search for a land for the Yoruba Church as there were some kind of inconsistencies and service interruptions between the Ibos and Yorubas service,the previous thought of building a two stores building to accommodate both Yoruba and Ibo services respectively at the same building became a ruse as the return of the Ibos back to Lagos after the Nigerian Civil war between 1967-1970 made such arrangement unrealistic.
Subsequently, a building committee headed by Late Bro. E.O. Oduyebo as chairman was inaugurated with Late Chief J. A. Oyesile as secretary on the 24th April 1969,at the Folami Methodist Church,a meeting was held and a decision was taken to procure a land for the Yoruba Church.The invaluable role and support of prominent pioneers like Bro.Odukoya ,Bro. Adeyemi,Bro. Oduyale, Bro who were in constant consultation with the Bashua family before the final purchase of the plots of land where the Bashua Church is located now was commendable.
At a good timing,precisely January 30th 1973,the Bashua Church finally secured two plots of land through Sis. Rotimi,a member whose husband was a Land agent to the Land owners,the Bashua family.It must be emphasized that Bro. Oderinde of the Hoarses Memorial Methodist Church Yaba released funds for the construction of the fencing of the land to guarantee security.The funds for the purchase of the land was contributed by members,it is on record that Bro.Evangelist B.A. Onile led all members to work in the construction activities on the land.
THE FUND RAISING
Prior to the purchase of the landed property in Bashua,there was a prophecy by an itinerant preacher who came from far away Ondo state to some members at the 5,Aiyepe Avenue residence of the presiding reverend, coincidentally it was the day Bro. F.O. Adeyemi was naming one of his sons.The Servant of God prophesied that the Yoruba society at Folami was going to relocate to a cathedral,it was reported that the prophet refused to eat,drink or take money from his listeners.By October 1st 1977, a fund raising event was organized and the money raised was used to construct a Bamboo shelter and sets of benches
Which was used on Sunday 6th November for the first harvest.It is interesting to note that it was the Presbyter the Very Rev’d T.A. Bisuga of Ikorodu circuit,who was persecuted and whose rights and privileges were denied by the Rev’d Idowu Ereko circuit superintendent in 1968 during Fakorede crisis that preached the sermon on this memorable day in the presence of the minister in charge Rev’d Omowunmi under the Yaba circuit.So it was on this day,Bashua Church triumphantly entered into her glory on her own land flying the flag of the methodical Methodist Church of Nigeria.
EMERGENCE OF THE BOYS BRIGADE
The activities of Bro. E.O. Oduyale contributed to the firm establishment of the Boys Brigade of Bashua Church.On the 30th January 1969,the issue of the Boys Brigade was raised at a meeting while at Folami church, Bro. Oduyale’s proximity to the UNA and St Paul schools made the recruitment of boys and girls a great task,at first the children of the members were the pioneer members of the Brigade,Bro. Tunde Aina and Bro. Ebenezer Fatimehin joined Bro. Oduyale’s aggressive recruitment efforts to compliment each other thereby creating a firm evangelical base for the Methodist Church Bashua.
The Boys Brigade was a spring board for the birth of the Youth organization for the Bashua Church,Tunde Aina became the pioneer president while Bro.Shina Abiona was his able assistance,others in the youth body were Sis.Bunmi Oduyale,Bro. Wande Oduyale,Sis.Oyinda Ajisebutu,,Sis.Iyabo Oduyebo to mention but few.
THE TRIUMPHANT RISE OF BASHUA LOCAL CHURCH TO A CIRCUIT
Without any iota of doubt,the prophecy and promise of a cathedral came to pass, the Methodist Church Bashua’s edifice is a cathedral in true sense,it’s obvious that the fulfillment of that age long prophecy manifested in the promotion of the Bashua Local Church of the Methodist to a circuit.What an elevation,;it was not only the Church that was elevated,the presiding reverend also became a Presbyter,Rev’d Olufemi Philips Adeyi since 2017 has been a blessing to the members,he was reputed to be a very humble servant of God who always intercede for his flocks and share their burdens.His 50years birthday coincided with his installation as a Presbyter.The wife Mrs Rachel Taiwo Adeyi has been a pillar of support in the vine yard of the Methodist Church Bashua Circuitt doing a formidable work at the background and the women fellowship.The members too are also beneficiaries of this elevation in spiritual and physical terms, for some their offices in the Church changed levels while some experienced promotion in their secular jobs and procurement of new cars and assets.
KUDOS TO THE PATHFINDERS
Past and present,some prominent people sow seeds and sacrificed for what is now known as Bashu Church,some have gone to rest at the bosom of the Lord while many others are still here, this is evidenced in the continuation of generation to generations of families,it has been a family affair for the past 55 years or more,the relationship between members is healthy,cordial and affectionately interlocking most especially between the pulpit and the Church.On this note we congratulate the ministers,the members,the elders the choir,the Boys and girls Brigade,the Ushers,the Stewards, and the Church council.
The support,contributions and the nurturing efforts of the Hoares Methodist Church Yaba,Yaba circuit was tremendous and motherly.Yaba successfully brought forth her child as Zion travailed.We at Shomolu Bariga News Weekly and Shomolu Weekly Newspapers celebrate all at The Methodist Church of Nigeria Bashua Circuit,Bashua Local Church Shomolu,Shomolu’s best Cathedral.The Pictures tell the story of the humble but turbulent beginnings of the past and present of the Bashua Local Church...The Methodist Church of Nigeria Bashua Circuit Shomolu,Kindly share the Bashua Story and like us.
Welcoming ‘The Most Rev.Dr.Obafemi Bamidele Adeleye JP, Archbishop and Bishop Diocese of Lagos Mainland inaugurating the new circuit and the new presbyter accompanied by other prominent ministers and important dignitaries and members.
