Taiwo Olanrewaju was at the first annual luncheon, award, lecture and fund-raising programme of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Oyo Area. Her report:IT takes the deep to call to the deep goes a saying. Nigeria can never be transformed until her leaders and Nigerians become transformed.This was the submission of Professor Oluwole Akinyele Agbede at the first annual luncheon, award and fund-raising programme of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Oyo Area, held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, last Friday.According to Agbede, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Moses, in the Old Testament of the Bible, when he was still a Prince of Egypt, with all its valour and facilities for 40 years, said 'I am something' and for the next 40 years, when he experienced God's transformation declared, 'I am nothing'.But 'in the next 40 years after being a successful agent of transformation for his nation, Moses confessed that 'God is everything.'Agbede, therefore, admonished that 'before we pray to God asking Him to guide us and transform our country, let us pray to have our personal lives transformed. Churches have to invite their congregations to view transformation as a lifestyle, and not as a programme.'The Bible is that powerful agent that God would use to transform our lives as we read and practise what is written therein,' he added.In her address, the special guest of honour, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of Oyo State governor, described the programme's theme as very apt, being 'one of the cardinal points of Governor Isiaka Ajimobi's agenda for the state.'Ably represented by the wives of the deputy governor, Mrs. Janet Adeyemo and the secretary to the state government, Alhaja Adijat Olajide; Mrs Ajimobi noted that, 'The Bible is the word of God; it is quick and powerful; sharper than a two-edged sword and as pilgrims in this journey called life, it is our roadmap for success. it contains everything we need to live a successful life and to live as agents of change in this corrupt and morally bankrupt world we find ourselves.'In his goodwill message, Pastor Richard Ogunwole (SAN), chairman, Special Members Forum, who hosted the programme, reminded all present that the events were targeted towards the completion of the BSN Bible House in Ibadan not later than April 2012.The lawyer noted that stewardship was part of the Gospel and that worship was not complete unless one gave something valuable to God. 'When the wise men came to worship baby Jesus, for example, they brought precious gifts,' he added.Going down memory lane, Ogunwole recollected that the BSN was formed and inaugurated on February 8, 1966 and the society had operated in Nigeria since 1807 under the supervision of the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) with the Bible House situated at Apapa from where materials were distributed to other West African countries.With over 38 areas across Nigeria, Ogunwole said many areas, lately created, had got their own Bible Houses with Oyo Area still a tenant of St. James' Cathedral Church, Ibadan.Earlier in his welcome speech, Pastor Joseph Olumide Makinwa, the chairman, BSN Oyo Area, noted that 'when purposes are not known, abuses are inevitable', adding that lots of abuses had been perpetrated in the church and the nation .He, however said, 'Transformation is the hallmark of the church in every society, age and generation. Transformation is a gradual and systematic change. it can be instantaneous; but most times, it is gradual.Makinwa also explained that transformation could be positive, forward moving and becoming better or negative, moving from good to bad, kindness to wickedness, walking with God to backsliding.He also noted that transformation is the hallmark of the gospel message in the Bible. Therefore, he urged all to allow transformation, which is spiritual awakening, in the family, church and the nation.Pastor (Dr.) Johnson Adeniyi, Chief (Mrs.) M.O. Agbeja. Mrs. Comfort Oke and Brigadier General J.O Oni(rtd) were presented awards for their selfless efforts and support for the BSN Oyo Area.Pastor Makinwa charged the awardees thus; 'We must always endeavour to do the best for this great society in making the Bible available to people and to achieve the widest possible effective distribution of the Holy Scripture by being the most cost effective scripture publisher in Nigeria.'Responding, Pastor(Dr) Johnson Adeniyi said he saw the award as a nudge to do more for the Bible Society of Nigeria and humanity as a whole while Chief(Mrs.)M.O. Agbeja declared the day as the happiest in her life, stating that she was grateful to God to be alive to witness the day.Tracing the history of the BSN, Oyo Area. Chief(Mrs) Agbeja, a member of the methodist Cathedral,Agbeni, Ibadan, recollected the small beginninh fo the society in the 60s and how by the grace of God, it has become what it is today.Also awarded were Ogunsole Ayodeji Micheal, Ojo Emmanuel Abiodun and Ajao Idowu Philip for taking the first, second and third positions respectively in the Area Bible Quiz competition.The secondary schools which came first, second and third in the schools Bible Quiz competition were Aatan Baptist Comprehensive High School, Koso, Oyo; St. Francis Catholic College, Oyo and St. David's Cathedral College, Kudeti, Ibadan.
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