Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Archdiocese of Ibadan Catholic Men Organization has successfully held its first convention with the theme “Reawakening the Spiritual and Moral Authority/Leadership of Catholic Men in the Church, Family and Society” between Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August 2026 at SS Peter & Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan.

The convention which had as its Chief Host, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin and involved a lot of spiritual activities, including and opening Mass on Saturday also witnessed the investiture of Sir Felix Igboanugo; Rtd Appeal Court Justice Peter Ige; Otunba Biola Layonu and Prof. Olufemi Ogunbiyi as Patrons as well as Dr. (Mrs) Iyabo Olusanmi; Chief (Mrs) Elfridar Adepoju; Lady Clara Oke and Prof. (Mrs) Elizabeth Ojo as Patronesses, and presentation of certificates to them thereafter.

Goodwill messages were also delivered at the event by the AICMO President, Sir Felix Adoroh; AICMO Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ajewole; and AICWO President, Amb. (Mrs) Edith Isidahomen.

Also at the convention to present goodwill messages were Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Ali PhD and Hon. Aderemi Abasi Oseni; candidates of All Progressive Congress for 2027 Governorship and Oyo South Senatorial District elections in Oyo State; both of whom were led to the convention by a member of AICMO, Sir Olufemi Michael, the “worthy warden of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Basorun Sub-Council.

In his remarks at the convention, the Chief Host, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin; who joined the convention mid-way due to another engagement congratulated AICMO for moving fast in the Archdiocese and admonished the organization to keep it up.

His Grace reminded the organization of the need to take the youth as their children and look for job for them, make their contributions whenever they are to pay anything in the Archdiocese and also see to the rebuilding of the Bishop’s House and the new Chancery.

On the theme for the convention, both Rev. Fr. Linus Valentine Onyenagubor SDB and Prof. Isaac Ukpokolo delivered lectures, one after the other. Both agreed that there is a space in our Church and Society today that fathers have not been able to fill.

Both Lecturers dwelt on the need to model fathers’ style of leadership after that of Christ and St Joseph, which is built on humility and service.

The participants were reminded that renewal of the Church, family and society begins from the renewal of Catholic men. They were urged to demonstrate their faith to the family through service, embrace sacrament of reconciliation, renew their moral and spiritual authority, prioritize daily prayer, engage in regular participation at Eucharist, be active persons in the parish’s life, join other society to enrich their life and never to be an idle person.

“Let our presence counts. The more we are good, the more we have long life to live.” The men were enjoined.

The Lectures were followed by questions and answers section, with the AICMO Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ajewole also making his contribution to the section, followed by a vote of thanks by AICMO Vice president, Mr Christopher Ololo and thereafter the closing prayer and blessing.