Daniel UGWO

 

Some have interpreted the heavy rain that lasted for quite a length of time, starting right about the time the event draws to a close as a shower-of-blessing; possibly interpreting to the heavens congratulating the celebrant a Happy 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary. 

The Parish community of SS Peter & Paul Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife hosted the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Oluseyi Adeyemi to a memorable event on his 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, 3 August 2025. Recall that Fr Adeyemi, including Frs Martin Obiyemi, Stevenson Olowolagba and Pius Odediran were four Priests whose silver jubilee was celebrated by Osogbo Catholic Diocese on Monday 28 July at St. Benedict Cathedral, Popo, Osogbo.

At the August 3 Mass, just like Fr. Peter Adeyemi, his friend, Fr. Peter Akodu possessing two Masters Degrees and a PhD educates that while all were gathered to celebrate Fr. Adeyemi, they have not come only to celebrate him but God. Fr. Akodu, going deeper the archive of the celebrant recalled “AWOPA” as one of the models that added values to both lives while in the seminary.

Awopa, according to him, is a journalistic model that inculcates values such as truthfulness, curiosity, objectivity, brotherhood, solidarity, teamwork, endurance, brevity and loyalty to the people of God. He noted that one of the prophetic calls of a Priest is to ensure that justice prevails everywhere, hence the attributes of the celebrant. He however encouraged parents never to discourage their children when they receive call to be servant of God. It was not surprising having Fr. Paul Ijileke zoom-in for the Mass all the way from his Parish at Abeokuta. He served as Assistant to Fr Adeyemi at Lagere immediately after his ordination as an ambassador to Osogbo Diocese. He developed love for the Priest and the Parish during his ministry. Despite leaving his Abeokuta Parish by 5.00am that faithful Sunday, he was present at Lagere, Ife, before the Mass commenced by 9.00am. Considering the occasion not only as a celebration but an appreciation to Fr. Adeyemi.

The Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Prof Marcus Bola Eleruja continuously praised the celebrant for all his qualities of service, mirrored in his personality. According to him, the celebrant is not only a Priest of God, he is also an erudite scholar. The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Lawrence Awowoyin, whom the celebrant earlier declared his confidence, attested to the qualities of the celebrant. As one of the Chiefs in the Church, he realized that the title is not just for fun but for serious commitment and work.

The event was not just about talk without fun. Barrister Bonaventure Ibitoye (Chairman, Planning Committee) who was his contemporary as youth leaders in their days, delivered a sound citation of the celebrant. An Ode – “a lyrical poem” about his personality and achievements delivered by the young Lectors was extraordinary. A spectacular performance emanated from the Parish Youth Organization – it was a speechless lyrical dance that speaks volume through non-verbal means of communication. The women organization were not last in their cultural dance while the Generation Alpha (Holy Childhood) didn’t perform less at all, in their attributes.

One of happiest personality at the event was the mother of the Celebrant, Madam Adeyemi, evident in her glowing look. Some who spoke at the event confessed their worries about his earlier transfer to the Parish being a Modakeke indigene - following once a disagreement between the two neighbours. They concluded that for a priest to successfully stay three years at Lagere, he must have been the one that knows his lines; let alone Fr. Adeyemi now in his fifth year despite no formal announcement of service elongation.

Like an act of division that brings unity, his praises became the song sang by majority at the event. Definitely, a worker deserves his wages, gifts rolled-in from individuals and groups in appreciation for his dedication for 25 years in the vineyard merged with his sagacity and tenacity at the Parish. Fr. Adeyemi in turn as usual, full of awe, continued to appreciate all and sundry for continuous support.