• AVMCC’s Impact On Humanity Can’t Be Quantified, Says Ogunsola
• Cathedral A Beacon Of Hope, Spiritual Guidance For Countless Individuals — Sanwo-Olu

Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church (AVMCC), GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, has concluded its 60th anniversary, which started in April 2024. It culminated with the giving of posthumous award to the first Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Revd. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi.

Also honoured in this category were: Revd. Canon Yinka Olumide (retired), Revd. Canon Clement Akinbola (retired), Mama Dorothy Arit Ikokwu, Pa. J. A. James. Others included: Mr. Dotun Oyewole, Chief Sunday Dankaro, Chief Frances Adebajo, Sir. Michael Lawani, Lt. Col. Alphonse Keshi (retired), Mr. Festus Ogbonnaya Ogbu, and Mr. Sydney M. Odukwe.

The church as well honoured the living and they were: Ven. Bandele Oladejo Okunnuga (retired), Ven. Stephen Babatunde Akinola (retired), Rt. Revd. Olusegun Adeyemi (retired), Ven. Oloniluyi Akinwande (retired).

The list of awardees also included: Mr. Alfred Ayo Jagun, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Mr. Babatunde A. Fetuga, Mrs. Comfort Ubosi, Mazi Samuel Iheanyichukwu Ohuabunwa, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chief Sam Ubachukwu, Mr. Charles Hammond, and Mr. James Garba Dasar.

The three-month event also witnessed a book launch, titled, “The Chronicle” and a lecture given by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola.

In her lecture, Professor Ogunsola urged the church to re-engineer itself and work towards getting the young ones into its mainstream.

Recalling how the church has grown from 50 members to a congregation of over 8, 000, Ogunsola noted that AVMCC’s first 60 years is a time of exponential growth, adding that the church has made a lot of impact that cannot be quantified.

“AVMCC has been involved in charitable outreaches, support for the homeless, prison outreaches and a whole lot. Many lives have been transformed through these activities. The church has been doing awesome work in counseling and is also involved in cultural enrichment, advocacy and social justice,” she said.

Urging the church not to be complacent, Ogunsola said: “We have to do it right, because young people want to be mentored. They don’t want to be shamed. They want engagements on controversial issues; they need a sense of purpose and relevance. We need to know how to accept and engage them. They are prone to anxiety and a high level of political activity.

“The present generation is constantly questioning the relevance of religion. They enjoy the freedom of investigating beliefs and want sermons to connect them with what they do. They want authenticity.”

The don reminded the congregation that the church was named after Leslie Gordon Vining, who was the first Archbishop of the Province of West Africa.

According to her Archbishop Vining was appointed Bishop in 1940. He reached out to both traditional and the Muslim communities and also did a lot of evangelical works before passing on in 1955 as he was travelling back to England and was buried in Sierra Leone.

She revealed that the church started from two segregated churches — one for the whites and another for the black.

“European civil servants then worshipped at Ikeja Magistrate Court premises, while the black congregation worshipped at the Police College. Both churches had their roots in Saint Saviour Church, but in 1964 the two churches were combined to into one and become Anglican Church, GRA.”

The Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Diamond Publications, Lanre Idowu, who reviewed the new book titled, The Chronicle, described it as the story of the growth of a small church from parish to a cathedral, adding that the book ticks all the boxes of publishing.

Chairman, Planning Committee, Kola Olawunmi said the celebration was the church’s way of appreciating God for the past blessings and guidance, as members look forward to impacting the society the more.

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu described the cathedral as a Parish that has now become a beacon of hope and spiritual guidance for countless individuals.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs. Abimbola Odumbaku, said: “Documenting the history of the cathedral from its humble beginnings to it becoming a beacon of hope and spiritual guidance for countless individuals and the headquarters of the Lagos West Diocese of the Anglican Communion in the form of a book is a very worthwhile adventure that will help preserve the legacies of the church for posterity.

“It is a celebration of the collective efforts of the clergy and laity, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and humanity. Their sacrifices and commitments have borne a fruit, making this church a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration for all of us.”

Reflecting on the theme of this anniversary, ‘Consolidating His Abundant Grace at 60, ‘ the wife of Lagos State governor noted that it is by God’s grace that AVMCC has flourished and impacted so many lives.

She enjoined the church not to lose focus in ensuring worshippers are prepared for heaven, which is the ultimate desire for every believer.