Day Lagos stood still for Bishop Okonkwo

The hall at the MUSON centre was full to the brim that busy day, at the early hours of Thursday, 3rd of September. Many had left the comfort of the homes and busy work schedules and engagements to honour one man that has made an impact in their lives of many and is driven by passion to show love to humanity through his numerous activities and projects.

It was the celebration of 16th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture and presentation of prizes to the winners of the essay competition, which was attended by various dignitaries in the society including Babatunde Raji Fashola, the past governor of Lagos state. 

This was part of the ways to celebrate the 70th birthday of Mike Okonkwo presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). His joy knew no bound as he leaped for joy at the turnout of people at the occasion. The Bishop who looked young at heart and in body, was gorgeously and smartly on suit and trousers and beside him was his beautiful wife.

This year’s annual lecture was indeed a remarkable one, as the Annual National Essay Competition marked its 12th years of operation. The essay which is part of Mike Okonkwo Educational and Youth Initiative, MOEYI, is open to secondary school students across the nation.

The essay competition is aimed at encouraging writing skills of children in secondary schools and helps them become solution providers to the nation. Winners emerged from the different geo-political zones of Nigeria, confirming what the Bishop already knows – that the future of Nigeria is secured if we nature the minds of the young ones.

Like previous years, the star winner school which went to Port-Harcourt International School got three internet ready desktop computers and a printer, while the student went home with a trophy, laptop, N100,000 cash and a plaque.

The Redeemers International Secondary School Port-Harcourt came the first runner up and were given 2 internet ready desktop computers and a printer, while the student went home with a cash prize of N75,000 and a plaque.

The second runner up school, Kings College Lagos got an internet ready computer, while the student got N50,000 cash prize and plaque.

Apart from the essay competition, the annual lecture has consistently held for 16years and it treats topical issues in the Nigerian polity, featuring notable speakers since its inception.

In addition to this, Mike Okonkwo Football competition has been running for 13 years with the aim of engaging physical and mental abilities of young people and keeping them away from vices that will otherwise destroy them.

MOEYI is dedicated to promotion of educational, recreational and growth objectives around the young people in Nigeria. Hence, there are other projects running including a resource centre which will also create opportunities for young people to be enriched in knowledge and acquire social skills in the future.

In his lecture titled: ‘The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Governance,’ Babatunde Raji Fashola, former governor of Lagos state stressed that the test of good policies and by extension good governance should be whether it brings the greatest good to the general number of people in terms of their welfare, safety and security.

According to him: “The active participation of citizens is a pre-condition for democracy to translate to good governance and democratic governance must constantly keep in touch with the changing needs of their citizens.”

The former governor explained that good governance in a democracy is not an utopia; it is possible because it is a journey whose milestones are dynamic, adding that continues public enlightenment through all legitimate means of information dissemination is a necessary condition for good governance.

Speaking on the celebration of the Bishop’s birthday, Fashola described the Bishop as “A man whose heart is in the right place, a man who has proven to be dependable, a man who speaks truth to power, a man deserving of the honour we gather today to give, a family man called Mike Okonkwo.”

He appreciated the church for providing a platform as this to commemorate the birthday of the presiding Bishop of TREM.

Speaking during the occasion, the celebrant, Mike Okonkwo commended the efforts of Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former governor of Lagos state who had turned Lagos into what it is today and appreciated him for taking time out of his very busy schedule to grace the occasion.

According to him, “Anyone who doubts that Lagos is impacted by your presence is dishonest. We could breathe fresh air and sleep with our two eyes closed in Lagos. I thank you for the sacrifices and the standards you have laid down for others to follow.”

In response to the respect accorded him, the Bishop said he was delighted to have everyone gather to honour his invitation and prayed God blesses and favours everyone that had made the event a memorable one with their presence.