Celebration drums were rolled out at Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi Quasi Parish, Magbon in Ijanikin Deanery, to welcome His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, to the twin celebrations of administering the sacrament of confirmation to seven hundred candidates who were prepared and tested to be worthy recipient of the sacrament in the deanery and blessing of an ultra-modern parish house, whose aesthetic presentation of the architectural design is pleasant to behold. In the Mass concelebrated by four priests: Very Rev. Fr. Martins Iwueze-Dean Ijanikin Deanery, Fr. Peter Ayangbola-Priest-incharge, Fr. Simeon Reuben-Associate Priest, Fr. Mark Okojie-former Associate Priest, now in Holy Family, Festac Town.
His Grace, informed the candidates that the Holy Spirit, which they were about to receive is the same which the Apostles received at Pentecost which made them to be strong and courageous in faith. He therefore urged them to live lives worthy of emulation as good Catholics. In attendance were Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba to carry out their traditional function as defenders of the Catholic faith; parishioners in the deanery and lay faithful outside the deanery were there to hear from their Chief Shepherd. In the welcome address of Rev. Fr. Father Ayotunde Ayangbola, Engr. Jacob Adeoye-1st Vice Chairman, Parish Pastoral Council, Mr. Alex Owuneze Metu-Parish Chairman, Catholic Men Organization, all thanked the Chief Shepherd for his fatherly care and financial support which in no small way have helped in the project implementation in the Parish and urging him not to relent in his effort to help them when called upon in future. In his response, His Grace thanked everybody for their Pastoral zeal and prayed that the flame of their faith will continue to burn brightly.
On the financial support granted them, he said when the Pope in his wisdom directs that a particular collection be made, the Church in all the continents obliged because it is God that has directed him to do so. The Pope then directs those collections to areas of needs to different countries in the world when he received it. In the same vein when he, as the Archbishop instructs Parishes in the Archdiocese of Lagos to institute a collection, the proceeds from the collection are directed to areas of needs in the Archdiocese, part of which parishes get help from. In a colourful reception held after declaring the Parish house open, the Holy Childhood Association HCA, and the Catholic Women Organization, Nigeria (CWON) of Bl Iwene Tansi, Magbon made some presentations that attracted resounding ovations and commendations from the crowd. All the activities in the programme of event were carried out with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
