The entire Lekki Community and Region stood still for Very Rev. Msgr. (Prof.) Francis Ishola Ogunmodede, Parish Priest, Ss. Phillip and James Catholic Church and Episcopal Vicar, Lekki Region, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, on Thursday, May 4 when the priest celebrated his 75th birthday in grand style. The Diamond Jubilee anniversary which began with Mass celebration, was attended by clergy, religious and lay faithful, friends and well-wishers of the celebrant who came from far and near to be part of the festivities. Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogundipe, homilist on the occasion, described Msgr. Ogunmodede as a priest who has impacted lives, and given himself totally to the love and service of God and the Church. Fr. Ogundipe said Msgr. Ogunmodede is a priest who has remained faithful to Christ in the sacraments, bringing people closer to God, as he imparted in his students all they needed to be good priests and they in turn teach others to live worthy lives. He said Celebrating 75th birthday of Msgr. Ogunmodede is celebrating God’s faithfulness and the celebrant’s obedience in the service of God and the Church. Speaking on the challenges of humanity, he said though the celebrant has had his challenges in the last 75 years of his life and close to 50 years as priest, but in all these, he has remained a man of hope and gratitude to God. Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbisho of Lagos, thanking God for the celebrant, said that Msgr. Ogunmodede puts zeal into everything he does. The Archbishop commended him for his zeal for the house of the Lord, the growth of the Archdiocese and the spiritual growth of the people that have been entrusted to his care.
He said: “The Lord in very many ways has assisted you to do so many things, beginning from OkeAre, tending to the young ones, up to Bodija, tending those who are going to become priests and eventually to Ugheli where you put so much into the establishment and growth of that institution, and at the end of it, you have worked yourself so hard that God had to really deliver you from all evil, from sickness and restore you to perfect health. For this we give thanks to God.” Stating that the Lord has need of him, Archbishop Martins thanked the Monsignor for making himself available for God to use him over the years, as he urged him to continue to work to the service of God’s people and for the salvation of souls. The celebrant appreciated God for keeping him alive and allowing him to do the things that he needs to do, adding that as long as he is alive, he will continue to work for God, for His Church and for the country. He thanked all the people; clergy and lay faithful who came from within and outside the Archdiocese to honour and celebrate with him, appreciating them for their love. Thanking God for giving him the zeal to write, the celebrant disclosed that he had written books which will be launched at the reception for evengelisation in the Archdiocese, particularly in the Lekki Region where some churches that have been in existence for years are still not full parishes. Also in attendance were Most Rev. John Oyejola, Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Adesina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, and Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, Bishop of Abeokuta, ably represented. Two books written by the celebrant, “The history of the Catholic Church in Lekki Peninsula from 1863 to 2023” and “Church, state relationship in contemporary times” were launched on the occasion.
